Hi house music lovers, Paul here one half of Smokin Beats. I have decided to open a Sound Cloud account as I spend so much time on here listening to peoples mixes and tracks.  We started Smokin Beats in 1993 as an output for our love of the NY and Chicago dance sound, we have seen every major change in the industry, and have won respect and critical acclaim in the process. Paul & Neil have shaped the sound that smashed the UK scene from the early nineties and is still going strong today - the same sound that has made the UK the driving force in Dance Music production around the world. Legendary tracks have made the boys' back-catalog some of the most collectible tunes on the scene, and will continue to rock dance-floors in the years to come. Never compromising on quality, and the best reputation for underground quality house music. Welcome to the world of Smokin Beats.....  
From our first release in 1993 we gained a reputation for releasing top quality tunes from the off, with Louie Vega, and Tony Humphries telling me they played our second release in the Sound Factory bar. Smokin Beats vol 2 (the second release) also hit the buzz chart in the UK and the Streetsounds top 20 across N America and Canada. The next few releases were quickly championed  by Roger S, D Morales, F Knuckles, Victor Simonelli and we were off.
By the time we got to Smokin Beats Volume 4 (cat no SMB009) in 1996 ,17,000 copies flew out the door. I have included the track Look Who's Lovin Me on Sound Cloud for everyone to hear, which  was the main track from this EP.  Smokin Beats ability to write and produce original material as well as remix a variety of styles is displayed in their live element. With a mixture of live Pa's and Paul and Neils exceptional talent of using live keyboards, a sampler and up to 4 decks to recreate music in a way that no other DJ/production team had done before.
This lead to all kinds of remixes to name a few,  MAW's Black Magic - Freedom, Roger Sanchez's - Cuba, Frankie Knuckles - Rainfalls, lots of pop shit , Jamilia's - Money, The Back St Boys - You Are The One For Me etc.etc
Gigs include The first Creamfields for Daft Punk, three Berlin Love Parades for the Sage Club, Le Queen, Paris, L'anfer in Dijon, etc etc I will put some DJ mixes up for everybody once I get time.




i am niamh, comprises primarily of Dublin based solo project artist, Niamh Parkinson. Her musical style is considered Avant-garde, shown through her classically trained voice with idiosyncratic tendencies in her music. i am niamh is a multi- instrumentalist, she uses her voice, cello, digital piano, percussive instruments and skillful intertwines them together with a loop pedal to create a complex palate of sounds. Her music takes unexpected interesting turns in each song.  Her debut album, Wonderland released in May 2015, brings her electronica tendencies into successful focus alongside her continued quirky sounds. The 14 track album is a testament to i am niamh’s creativity from her colourful string arrangements to her hypnotic beats and most of all, her vocal versatility. Wonderland was named ‘Album of week’ by The Irish Times (Nialler9) and The Alternative RTE 2FM (Dan Hegarty). 

* * * ½ /5 “A brave and delightfully offbeat record.” - The Sunday Business Post

* * * */5  “Avant-garde mix...delightfully assured” - The Daily Star

“pleasing slice of vocal-lead orchestral pop.” - Nialler 9

* * * * * * ½/10  “an exciting and experimental debut….electro driven goodness” Hot Press


" Showcasing Dubliner Niamh Parkinson’s incredible voice, classical training and penchant for curious production. " - BBC Radio Ulster 

Album of the week “very contemporary classically-informed chamber pop” - The Irish Times 

* * * *½ /5 “ the most invigoratingly unique compilation that anyone is likely to have heard in a very long time. Its flawless fusion” - Pure M Magazine

9/10 “Wonderland is beautifully brought to life by i am niamh’s off-kilter take on songwriting” - The Last Mixed Tape 

Album of the week "Let's not name-check or list potential influences here. 'Wonderland' is simply that, wonderful." - RTE 2fm ( Dan Hegarty) 




i am niamh  has played an impressive number of shows, including a prime slot at Electric Picnic and the Body & Soul Festival and was featured at the Ones to Watch festival at Whelans. i am niamh  has toured around the UK, Germany and Ireland.  Her music is often played on top stations as  BBC Radio Ulster, RTE Lyric FM, 98FM and RTE Radio 1. Last year was a big year for niamh, she was shortlisted for the Big Break Hot Press competition and captivated crowds with her unique performances. 


i am niamh performs as a solo artist with loop pedal and laptop , she also performs with string players and guitarist.
 
 
“i am niamh’s challenging yet ultimately rewarding sound is something quite unique. Her debut EP is a good taster of that soprano voice and quirky, endearing style of hers, as well as an introduction to her classical roots- this is one well-trained musician….A multi talented artist for the future.”
Hot Press
 


plo is following