LTJ Bukem
Biography
Danny Williamson, better known as LTJ Bukem, stands as one of the most influential and enduring figures in drum and bass history, a man whose silky, jazz-infused productions helped define an entire subgenre and whose vision extended far beyond the confines of the dancefloor. Born in Watford in 1967, Bukem's journey into electronic music began in the late 1980s when he was spinning hip-hop and rare groove records at small venues around London, already displaying the sophisticated musical palette that would later revolutionize the breakbeat scene.
The transformation from Danny Williamson to LTJ Bukem occurred during the early 1990s explosion of hardcore and jungle music. While his contemporaries were pushing tempos to breaking point and embracing the raw, urban aggression of the emerging sound, Bukem was quietly plotting a different course. His breakthrough came with the 1993 release "Song to Sirens" on his own Good Looking Records, a track that seemed to arrive from another dimension entirely. Where jungle was harsh and confrontational, Bukem offered something altogether more refined – a sound that married the rhythmic complexity of breakbeats with the harmonic sophistication of jazz fusion and the ethereal beauty of ambient music.
The establishment of Good Looking Records in 1991 proved to be one of the most prescient moves in dance music history. The label became a beacon for what would become known as "intelligent drum and bass" or "liquid funk," attracting artists like Peshay, Blame, and Photek who shared Bukem's vision of breakbeat music as something more than mere dancefloor fodder. The label's aesthetic – both musical and visual – was impeccable, with releases featuring Bukem's own photography and artwork that reflected the organic, natural philosophy behind the music.
Bukem's 1998 album "Logical Progression" remains a masterpiece of the genre, a seamless journey through downtempo grooves, jazz-inflected breakbeats, and ambient interludes that demonstrated his ability to craft complete musical statements rather than simple club tracks. The album's title track, along with classics like "Horizons" and "Music," established him as drum and bass's most sophisticated composer, someone who understood that the genre's potential extended far beyond the confines of the rave scene.
His DJ sets became legendary affairs, often stretching beyond four hours and taking listeners on carefully constructed journeys through tempo and mood. Bukem's mixing style was as distinctive as his productions – smooth, flowing, and musical in a way that few of his peers could match. His residency at Speed at the Mars Bar in London became the stuff of legend, while his appearances at festivals like Glastonbury helped bring drum and bass to audiences who might never have encountered it in a club setting.
The influence of Bukem's approach cannot be overstated. His emphasis on musicality over mere technical prowess helped legitimize drum and bass as an art form worthy of serious critical attention. He demonstrated that breakbeat music could be contemplative as well as kinetic, sophisticated as well as visceral. His work paved the way for artists like Netsky, Calibre, and Marcus Intalex, all of whom acknowledged his influence on their own musical development.
Beyond his musical contributions, Bukem's visual aesthetic – his photography often featuring natural landscapes and organic forms – helped establish a complete artistic vision that extended across multiple media. His Earth compilation series showcased his ability to curate and present music in ways that transcended genre boundaries, while his own productions continued to evolve, incorporating elements of downtempo, ambient, and even classical music.
While the commercial peak of drum and bass may have passed, Bukem's influence continues to resonate throughout electronic music. His approach to production – patient, considered, and always musical – stands as a rebuke to the instant gratification culture of contemporary dance music. Artists across genres continue to cite his work as an influence, while his back catalog remains a constant source of inspiration for new generations of producers.
Today, LTJ Bukem continues to tour and release music, his reputation as one of drum and bass's most important figures secure. His legacy lies not just in the tracks he produced or the label he founded, but in the way he expanded the possibilities of what electronic music could be – proving that intelligence and emotion need not be sacrificed for rhythm and bass.
