Musical collaborations are one of life’s biggest beneficiaries of happy accidents, and the momentum currently being experienced by London Soul N Bass aficionados Greenmoney is testament to this. The duo, consisting of yOyO talisman Leo Greenslade and former Bugz in the Attic producer Alex Phountzi, only came together to do a quick re-rub of Kanye West’s ‘Love Lockdown’ single in 2009.
Just a one off studio session…
The chemistry proved so potent that the pair have been djing and producing together at a fervent rate ever since, kick-starting a self-titled record label in the process and smashing discothèques and dance-halls along the way. Joining the dots between house and bashment, broken beats and bass music, their sound sits uniquely amongst their peers. This is soul music with a savvy twist, gutter enough to soundtrack the grittier times we live in with a raw and visceral pulse throbbing throughout.
An early collaboration with West London rapper Twizzle led to the single ‘Skydiving’, receiving heavy support from Radio One doyens Zane Lowe and Annie Mac as well as being play-listed on both MTV Base & Dance. Their official debut was Summer 2010’s "Gold Rush EP", released on A-Trak and Nick Catchdub's Fools Gold imprint and bolstered by collaborations with Mz Bratt, Lady Chann and Serocee. You only have to look at the wide range of love the release garnered to understand Greenmoney’s appeal; Ben Westbeech, Freq Nasty, Foamo, Mystery Jets and Todd Edwards all among the certified fans.
An extensive remix discography includes the likes of CockNBullKid, Busy Signal, Gyptian and Tawiah, with future reworks of Zed Bias ft Sam Frank, Aussie chart topper Kimbra and for French Fries and the Youngunz label all scheduled to benefit from the duo’s rough and ready template. Their aforementioned imprint has released their own work as well as signed artists Mista Men, Hardhouse Banton & Major Notes, with Mistajam, Crookers, Zinc and Mary Anne Hobbs all vociferous supporters. Just like their productions the label is a sound-clash of innovative urban music reflective of their differing but interwoven musical backgrounds.
Leo, alongside Seb Chew, has been behind one of London’s most exciting and forward thinking club-nights in yOyO At Notting Hill Arts-club, a weekly tour de force of grime, house, hip-hop, garage and dubstep that confounds the dreary RnBling stereotype of West London. And Alex’s previous work in Bugz in the Attic proves of his heritage within forward thinking urban music, the collective rightly feted as pioneers in the process which contributed to making the genre at the foremost of cutting edge music in the UK.
Now as a creative unit their talents are blossoming to devastating effect. Electronic music has always been at its most exciting and its most essential when the sounds emanating from the speakers are from a pollination of different aesthetics. Greenmoney, whether rocking the decks, manning the booth or demonstrating their tremendously coherent A&R ear always stay true to this rule. It’s why dance-halls the length and breadth of the globe are feeling the value of their aural economy.
To win the guestlist see Chrome tonight in London and at the after party supported by Greenmoney, tell us the name of Chromeo's first album. Winners will be announced Friday 25.11.11. Enter here
