In a career stretching back to the early days of UK dance culture DJ Lee has done it all. From traveling the globe and playing to adoring fans, to discovering fresh new talent and putting out records. You could forgive a guy in his position for slowing down or dwelling on past glories but right now Lee's eyes are set firmly on the future.

DJ Lee achieved the rare feat of establishing himself as a global force on the strength of his abilities as a DJ, cutting his teeth at legendary events including Speed and Metalheadz Sunday Sessions, becoming known for his upfront dub-heavy selections.

International success followed and with it an impressive touring schedule that continues to this day. Over the coming years Lee would go on to work with Basement Records / Vinyl Distribution and Timeless Recordings before founding his own imprint Atlas Recordings in 2002.

Atlas enjoyed three releases over the next 12 months but due to other commitments within the industry and at the risk of spreading himself too thin Lee decided to concentrate on his career as a DJ and producer leaving Atlas to lie dormant. Fast forward to 2010 and Atlas is back with a reinvigorated Lee at the helm and some exciting new material already making waves in the scene.

Kmag caught up with DJ Lee to find out more and to bring you his exclusive mix showcasing all that's new from Atlas and the scene at large...

What are you up to at the moment?

This year I've been concentrating on getting the label up and running, making sure everything is done properly. It's taken way longer than I thought but if I do all the hard work now it'll be easier for me to keep releases coming consistently in the future

I read in an interview a few years back that you weren't really sure of you place in the scene and that you were considering bowing out...

I pretty much got out of the scene and tried to have a "normal" life but when I did I realized how much I missed it. I love playing music and making it but a lot of the rubbish that comes along with it can be hard to bear. I just concentrate on the music these days, it's easier that way.

Having watched the music evolve since day one and as a DJ with a reputation for upfront selection, where do you think drum & bass is headed at the moment?

It's headed in the right direction... which it wasn't for a long time. DnB for me has always been about moving forward but a few years a go it seemed pretty stagnant. It seemed lots of different factors happened at the same time to really open up the music now. I'm loving so much new stuff at the moment but I have to take my hat off to people like the Autonomic crew for dragging DnB into a new age. It doesn't seem so segregated anymore; more open line-ups with DnB, dubstep and other genres all on the same line-up. It keeps it all interesting for me and hopefully everyone else too!

You recently re-launched your own imprint Atlas, what inspired that move and what can we look forward to in the future ?

People always used to ask me about the label and the time just seemed right, plus I had the first tunes ready, two collabs with Total Science and S.P.Y. I'm just going to put out my own stuff or collabs for the first couple of tunes, then start signing some stuff. I want to make sure the label's functioning before I take on new artists.

Over the years you've produced numerous successful tunes but you collaborations with D-Kay are particularly fondly remembered. Any plans to work together again in the future?

I'm going out to Vienna in August for a gig and I'm going to stay on and get in the studio with D-Kay. He's an amazing producer and we always seem to click when working together. I'm really looking forward to working with him again and fingers crossed this may be Atlas 005!

What advice would offer to the new kids just getting into the scene?

Just concentrate on the music and don't get caught up in the politics.

Any closing words?

Just watch out for the label in the future, I set up a new website so that'll be the hub for all Atlas and DJ Lee info. I'm planning on label nights, tours, etc. so try and check it out.

 

Words: Ron Blanco

Photography: Vicki Blatchley

 

Download DJ Lee's guest mix

Mix hosted by www.digital-tunes.net

 

 

 

• Atlas Recordings
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• DJ Lee

Related Links:

• DJ Lee Relaunches Atlas Recordings
• Phobia, Jubei & Sato Release Atlas
• MC SAS Interview
• Introducing: Squarehead
• Jerona Fruits Present Submarine

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