Named for a Soviet submachine gun the AK-47,and the one thing every DJ must own, the Technics SL-1200 turntable, AK 1200 is among the premier U.S. junglists. Although the U.K. born dance genre has enjoyed stateside success since its emergence in the early 90's. Dave Minner (AK 1200), is one of only a handful of American based DJs to pose any challenge to the domination of their British counterparts. With his diverse arsenal of bass-heavy rhythms, AK has created an accessible sound that has exposed drum & bass to a much wider audience.
Minner's involvement with the drum & bass scene dates back to 1989 when he began spinning techno and electro in his hometown of Orlando, Florida. As the breakbeat sound began to evolve, he was at the forefront of the evolving breakbeat sound and continued to follow its development through its increasing tempos, culminating in the sound now known as jungle. AK nursed the scene through all of these changes, brewing his own tracks, remixing others' and blending the genres frenetic beats and floor-shaking basslines in clubs up and down the East Coast. Along with DJ Icey, AK became involved with large-scale parties at the Edge nightclub where he cemented his reputation as America's first jungle DJ. He then co-founded and published the fanzine Junglized with DJ Jeffee. In September 1995 AK threw the first ever all-jungle party, also called 'Junglized.'
Since that time AK steadily honed his skills and sound at residencies that he held until recently at 'Club Firestone' in Orlando and 'Spundae' in San Francisco. He was forced to give up his residencies in order to accommodate the demand for his live DJing presence. This year has seen AK taking his trademark sound to major party venues all over America as a headline DJ. He has played at all the high-profile festivals including Zen Festival, Freakfest and the Moonshine Overamerica '99 tour.
His multi-faceted skills have allowed him to make his mark in all aspects of the music. As a producer and remixer AK 1200 has worked with The Crystal Method, Keoki, Cirrus, Rachel Wallace and Rabbit In The Moon. He recently completed a remix for seminal hip-hop group A Tribe Called Quest which will be featured on Jive Electro's jungle meets hip-hop compilation Old School Vs. New School Vol.2 set for release in February 2000. AK was also recruited to contribute a track for Hardcorps Entertainment's sizzling new compilation Deep Porn. This groundbreaking collection teams up the best that the hip-hop and electronic worlds have to offer with adult film stars providing erotic vocals. AK is also slated to be the executive producer for their next project, Come & Bass.
His recordings for Moonshine Music trace the development of his style as a DJ. Fully Automatic and Lock N Roll introduced AK's stellar mixing and scratching skills to an ever- increasing audience. Prepare For Assault. sees AK creating a mix that reflects his varied influences, from breakbeat to jazz and hip-hop. It also highlights to an even greater extent his superb programming skills.
In 2000, AK along with longtime colleagues and friends, Dieselboy and Dara, were considered the best D 'n B DJs that America had to offer but they felt something was missing. What would happen if the three of them got together - The answer of course was world domination; therefore, the Planet Of The Drums was born.
POD planned a small tour with no idea or hopes really of what was to come. It was an absolute smash. Every show was completely rammed, and every single face in the crowd had a smile. They then knew this was the beginning of a very long ride. They found that strength grows in numbers and unification, and together, nothing can stop them. In 2001, the Planet Of The Drums is set for a six-week tour, and from there, who knows where things will go.
For over a decade, AK1200 has steadily become a household name within the underground music scene, and the future looks bright. Not only will AK continue to dominate America with his new POD family but, he plans on diving head first into the studio to create some masterful tracks.
In his latest effort for Moonshine, AK brings on the second in the Mixed Live series - the ground breaking follow-up to the debut offering from Carl Cox - featuring the premier talent of Freestyler's, MC Navigator. Recorded live from the San Francisco stop of the 2000 Moonshine Overamerica Tour, AK was true to form - with an amazing track selection mixed in his renowned style and the verbal free wheeling MC Navigator keeping his back, this is one disc that gives you the feeling of being right there.
With his Mixed Live disc and his Planet of The Drums tour, AK1200 shows no signs of slowing down, so look out, 2001!
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