{"title":"Special Request","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eSpecial Request is an alias of Leeds-born house and techno Break Beat and Speed Garage stalwart \u003ci\u003ePaul Woolford\u003c\/i\u003e, active since 2012. Inspired by the unruly conventions of UK pirate radio stations, the Special Request project aims to capture the raw energy and diversity of the illegal airwaves that have been an immeasurable influence on Woolford over the years. He describes it as “the ruffage, the rowdy younger brother” of his previous output as Paul Woolford.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ci\u003eSpecial Request\u003c\/i\u003e is also a vinyl imprint for releases under this name.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSimilar Artists: Forest Drive West, Simo Cell, Minor Science, Batu, Pearson Sound, DJ Python, Sully, DjRUM, Pangaea, Martyn, Tim Reaper, Objekt,\nBlawan,Dwarde ,Denham Audio,Avalon Emerson,Tessela ,Shed,Coco Bryce,and Intergalactic Quartet.\u003c\/p\u003e","products":[{"product_id":"the-style-remix-rsd","title":"The Style Remix RSD","description":"\u003cp\u003ePaul Woolford's jungle remix of legendary UK MC Top Cat's Request The Style from 94'. Only previously available on Nice Up Records remix compilation in 2016. Limited to 300 available exclusive to Rough Trade. Without a doubt one of the most iconic and legendary reggae labels to come out of the UK, Fashion Records has a rich and deep history that reaches far beyond the world of reggae. The brainchild of John MacGillivray and Chris Lane, two music devotees who manned a market stall in Clapham Junction selling imported reggae and ska vinyl during the late 70s (which later went on to become the hugely popular Dub Vendor shop), the label was set up in 1980 and started generating hits instantly, regularly topping the UK reggae charts and attracting attention further afield. Soon a recording studio was built, which served as a drop-in for most of the Jamaican stars passing through London at the time. Horace Andy, Johnnie Clarke, Alton Ellis, Frankie Paul, Junior Delgado and many more household names all spent time in the A-Class studios during the early days, although it was the stars of the new UK reggae explosion that really put the label on the map. Alongside artists such as Dee Sharp, Keith Douglas, Papa Face \u0026amp; Bionic Rhona, the label was a springboard for artist such as Asher Senator, Macka B, Andrew Paul and Smiley Culture, the latter whom scored a top 20 hit and a couple of appearances on Top Of The Pops with his 1984 single \u003ci\u003ePolice Officer\u003c\/i\u003e. Going from strength to strength, it was the chart explosion of dancehall in the early 90s that saw more international names come flocking to the label and more hits racking up - far too many to list here, but a brief glance through the discography shows Cutty Ranks, Papa San, General Levy, Top Cat, Tenor Fly, Daddy Freddy and Wayne Wonder all recording sides for the label. With the subsequent lull of mainstream dancehall hits, it wasn't until another more uniquely English style of dance music came around that the label was rediscovered; jungle. Based around the soundsystem style of Jamaican music, with an emphasis on the cutting drums and heavy basslines, young jungle producers used many of the tracks recorded and played by the previous generation as its backbone, the vocals given new life by the rudimentary samplers being used in bedroom studios all over the land. Fast forward 25 years and those reverberations are still being felt today - drum and bass, dubstep, hip hop, trap and almost any other sub-genre of what many now refer to as \"bass music\" has the DNA of reggae and dancehall running through it, so its only right to expect a little payback at some point. A\u0026amp;R'd by music fanatic and owner of the Nice Up! record label, Jon Sheppard - \"Inna Nice Up! Fashion\" aims to bring new life to some of these legendary tracks by having modern day producers rework them in their own style and re-introducing them to a new audience. From the frantic breakbeats of rave-revivalist Special Request and the bottom end sonics of Radio 1's Toddla T and Melé, to the modern minimalist dancehall-tech of Machinedrum and the digital dub drone of The Bug, there is plenty to get excited about here. Poland's Radikal Guru serves up some classic dubstep, Germany's Jahtari crew take it back into 80s nostalgia with their 8-bit dancehall style, whilst modern reggae producers Wrongtom, Jstar and Mr Benn all show why they are on the forefront of the UK reggae revival. The tempo gets upped for some heavier jungle inspired remixes from Aries and Gold Dubs, Serial Killaz and festival favourites Dub Pistols, hopefully giving a little bit of something for everybody.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Nice Up!","offers":[{"title":"12\"","offer_id":50450322194763,"sku":"1034744","price":8.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/480b3db6-31c0-4676-8587-571a6136f46a_thumbnail_4096.png?v=1727110676"},{"product_id":"belief-system","title":"Belief System","description":"\u003cp\u003eSpecial Request returns to Houndstooth with the monolithic \u003ci\u003eBelief System\u003c\/i\u003e. Comprising 23 tracks recorded over the last 3 years and utilising source material from Paul Woolford’s tape archives going back to 1993 - \u003ci\u003eBelief System\u003c\/i\u003e augments the DNA of the project with a new visceral production aesthetic. Vast layers of atmospherics, unhinged modular work, contact microphone recordings of icebergs cracking, microtonal elements, and the introduction of stark soundtrack pieces borne out of Woolford's work in sound design combine with the trademark heavyweight production style of Special Request to deliver a formidable new body of work. \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e2CD - Double CD Set.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e4LP - Four LP Set in Gatefold Sleeve.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Houndstooth","offers":[{"title":"CD","offer_id":50496207618379,"sku":"1015089","price":7.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/76c95fa3-ac93-4f1e-b2ac-df2a5b9c9a69_thumbnail_4096.jpg?v=1727718350"},{"product_id":"bedroom-tapes","title":"Bedroom Tapes","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003ci\u003eBedroom Tapes\u003c\/i\u003e is comprised solely of lost material from a recently discovered box of cassettes that emerged in the process of a house move. These tracks capture some of Paul Woolford’s most wide-eyed and naïve creative impulses at a tender age.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eSeemingly lost forever, some were part of sessions that led to him being signed to now-defunct UK techno imprint Blue Basique. This is the first chapter in this archive and an intimate portrait of the artist at a key stage of his creative development. The tracks have been carefully mastered with a loving hand by Matt Colton, who has been meticulous to retain their idiosyncrasies.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e2LP - Double Vinyl cut and mastered by Matt Colton at Metropolis.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Houndstooth","offers":[{"title":"CD","offer_id":50498429747531,"sku":"1066172","price":9.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/79ba9f00-e4c0-4ac2-8565-269678933c87_thumbnail_4096.jpg?v=1727747920"},{"product_id":"uncanny-valley-with-gyrofield-and-metrist-remixes","title":"Uncanny Valley (with Gyrofield and Metrist Remixes)","description":"\u003cp\u003eHaving tirelessly contributed to shaping the UK dance music over the past decades, Special Request needs no introduction. From the underground and resurgences of Jungle all the way through to major Pop music projects, this man can do it all. Timedance welcomes Paul Woolford's infamous alias for the first time here, unleashing the devastating “Uncanny Valley”. Woolford combines his signature comb filter rave synths alongside cavernous breaks for ultimate mindf*ck peak time energy, anticipation has been huge for this one since Paul showcased the track on his social media last year to a huge response.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAlongside the original  “Uncanny Valley” comes alongside remixes from two of maddest breaks scientists in our address book. Timedance stalwart Metrist nods to his love of hi-tech neurofunk with devestating technicality and flair, whilst gyrofield adds a more hypnotic and psychedelic angle, leaning into the eeriness of the original.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eProper dancefloor wreckage here from a real power trio.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Timedance","offers":[{"title":"12\" - Black","offer_id":57109374730571,"sku":"R4691-4696","price":16.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/e7536f72-bfbf-cbdd-6335-4e7c2278bf1b.jpg?v=1777022683"}],"url":"https:\/\/shop.roughtrade.com\/fr\/collections\/special-request.oembed","provider":"Rough Trade","version":"1.0","type":"link"}