Introducing- Jackmaster

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Introducing: Jackmaster

Introducing: Jackmaster

by Emma Gritt, Aug 25, 2011

One of London Red Bull Music Academy’s most lauded alumni, Jackmaster is fast becoming one of the UK’s hottest acts. His sets, which traverse genres and time to present a compelling and pumping journey through electronic music, attract an enthusiastic crowd of ravers and serious electro historians, all keen to see what the lad from Glasgow will pull out of his bag next.

Jack Revill’s music career began at the tender age of 14 when he undertook a work experience placement at a record shop in his hometown of Glasgow. On his first day at Rub-A-Dub Records, he was made to reorder and alphabetise all of the 12” records – a laborious task, but one that opened the youngster’s eyes to a plethora of music he was otherwise unaware of.

It was while he was working here that his superiors nicknamed him ‘the Jackmaster’, a moniker he called upon when promoters wanted to include him on flyers years later. More importantly, it was here that he first heard Model 500’s The Chase, an analogue synth classic that opened a whole new world to his young ears that had previously only really listened to records on Defected. At the end of his placement, his bosses gave him the much loved electro record as a thank you for all of his hard work.

Model 500, The Chase

His enthusiasm also earned him an ongoing role at the shop, for which he was paid in records – a vinyl for each hour worked. It was also while working here that he met Callum Morton, who he would later go on to form Numbers with.

In 2007, Jack established Dress 2 Sweat, a vinyl label that focussed predominantly on Baltimore club music, but also released early work from Rustie, Bok Bok and Piddy Py. The following year, he and Callum, along with Callum’s brother Neil, formed Wireblock. A year later, the two labels merged with Stuffrecords to form Numbers.

Numbers is a label that has become synonymous with cutting edge electronic music. Rejecting any real blueprint, the sound of the label’s artists do not fall under a single umbrella term. Numbers boasts a quality and varied roster from Deadboy to Jamie xx, Taz to Rustie, and Lazer Sword to Redinho. The acts differ in sound and style but all have one thing in common – an innovative approach to production and a reputation amongst fans and music press alike that they are part of an exciting time for electronic sounds.

As well as running one of Europe’s coolest labels, Jack Revill still finds time to DJ as Jackmaster. As well as producing mixes for RBMA, and FACT Magazine, he plays at FWD>> events and is a regular on RINSE FM. This busy schedule is partly what helped him scoop the title of DJ Mag’s Best Breakthrough DJ earlier this year. His sets are varied, rejecting trends and instead embracing what he appreciates and enjoys, like fellow Scots Optimo.

Jackmaster live at Melt Festival 2010 recorded by RBMA Radio.

His recent Fabric mix CD was a homage to days of electronic music past, and crammed an amazing thirty tracks in to seventy minutes. This sort of frenzied approach to mixing is what has earned this discerning Glaswegian an army of dedicated fans, who flock to his shows to see what gems he will pull out of his bag next.

Check out Jackmaster’s previous sets for RBMA Radio to see just what all the hype is about. It’s also a chance to enjoy a taster of what he’ll be bringing to our carnival party where he’ll be going back-to-back with garage master Oneman.

Jackmaster

Numbers

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