cer

'it's always been about forward music...'

DJ Wonder AKA E2's Wayne Gardner was beating a path towards the future of garage before any of the roads where sign-posted.

From DJing on Rinse at 2am with Dizzee when it was broadcasting out of a hut on a building site to being a founder member of Roll Deep, Wonder has been there at key points during this homegrown music's development.

As an 18 year-old he was enrolled in a business course at college. When one of his lessons was cancelled a DJ friend suggest they go and have a mix instead. From that first play on the decks Wonder was hooked. He changed his focus from wanting to do 'something in computers' to being swept up in the whirlwind energy of the last days of garage and the dawn of grime.

Hooked he enrolled in a '12 week community college introduction to music production course' round the corner in E1. Another young man from the area enrolled on the same course at the same time by coincidence. Called Danny Weed, he was the younger brother of the singer Dom P from the one of UK garage's biggest crews Pay As You Go.

Making friends Wonder immediately found himself in one of the most exciting musical places in the world in the early noughties – as a the futuristic new British computer sound started to develop Wonder quickly rose as a DJ within the movement. He went out to Ayia Napa in 2002 playing raves like Sun City. Returning to London his status had sky-rocketed and he was given the 7pm primetime slot on Rinse. In 2011 Rinse is properly established with plenty of column inches eulogising it, a legal license and an extraordinary roll call of stars it has given a first chance and a platform too (Devlin, Skream, Dizzee, Plastician, Skepta, Katy B).

'It was an exciting time. We would be doing three radio shows a day and bookings at night. Travelling, going to shows. Other artists were coming through. N.A.S.T.Y. Crew, Ruff Squad.'

Come 2003 however, Wonder had started to explore a new darker sound that was incubating at a little club on Curtain Road, Old Street an a night called FWD>. DJing alongside a new group of producers from far south of the Thames, Wonder's sound was changing from the skeletal minimalism of grime into a more sub-focussed 'dark garage' sound.

In 2004 former Pay As U Go member and Rinse FM founder Geeneus released Wonder's first big production hit. It was called 'What' and sold more then 4000 vinyl on Geeneus's Dumpvalve Records. 'Back then dub step wasn't established yet, so it fitted in the grime scene. When dub step was established I started mixing up my set with dub step and grime. Now these scenes seem separate and defined. Back in the day you had to create you're own scene. There wasn't a lot of labels involved. Investing your own money, pressing up your own vinyl, distributing your own vinyl. When I first started producing in 2002 having a vinyl release was quite a big thing.'

With it's shuffling syncopated hi hats, grimey Eastern-scale lead synth and rolling sub-bass 'What' was the 'wot do u call it' track linking grime and dubstep in 2004. Grime's Mercury prize winning young break out star Dylan Mills AKA Dizzee Rascal snapped up the instrumental that year for his second album 'Showtime' – renaming it 'Respect Me'.

Wonder became tour DJ for Dizzee, travelling Europe and America bringing British bass music to new audiences. The internet was starting to bring his music to fans far from london. 'I remember going over to Amsterdam and these two boys knew all the unreleased dub plates I had even without them being released'. Dizzee's Showtime tour visited 25 US states. At the end of it Wonder decided to step up and start working on his first artist album

2008's Welcome to Wonderland blended his characteristically dark and eerie soundscapes with a host of top talent from grime, UK hip hop and beyond.

God's Gift contributed a fiery dancehall inflected track. N.A.S.T.Y crew's leading light Kano dropped a typically quick-witted, sharp-tongued commentary on relationships. Walthamstow's ex-boxer MC Bruza rides 'Shout' with his punchy flow. Meanwhile Sway was white hot from off the back of his 'The Signature LP' and sounding fantastic over a grimier texture. 1 year before his pop breakthrough year in 2009 Mr Hudson sings a love song over a techno-garage roller. South African-born Mpho Skeef blessed 'More' with soul as British as rain on concrete.

In hindsight Wonder's 2006 mix of grime vocalists, pop singers and dubstep flavours looks like a glimpse of what the mainstream would look like in 2012. Wonder's proud to have been part of a homegrown movement that has taken its rightful place at the centre of the nations listening habits. 'I was with Slimzee the other day and he played me a radio show from 2004/2005 of them DJing on Radio 1 on the Dreem Team show. That was the only garage/grime being played on Radio 1 back then. Compared to now you're getting grime and dubstep played on the A list.'

But like the station he manned at the very beginning Wonder compulsively moving forward and never recycling. In 2011 he is taking time off DJing getting back in the lab, concocting the sequel to Welcome to Wonderland. Thanks to the effort of pioneering DJs on Radio 1 and 1Xtra like Mistajam and Annie Mac there has never been a bigger audience for the 'future garage' he helped create. A slew of amazing and surprising collaborators lined up for Wonderland 2, 2012 might just be a wonderful year.

Hailing from Iceland,  One Week Wonder is a band  made up of  two keyboard players, Árni Guðjónsson and Magnus Benedikt and drummer Helgi. After relocating to Berlin in the Fall of 2014 the trio began writing and churning out song after song. When they formed two years prior they couldn't have imagined the creative chemistry they would have. 
  This great chemestry, along with influences like Air, David Bowie, Neil Yound &amp; The Who is felt all throughout the bands new project. The time spent in Berlin served them well as they were able to focus on creating. 
  To put this ep together they booked the wonderful Trixx studios located in Moritz - Platz &amp;, under the  direction of their new found friend Fabio, began recording using armed with vintage instruments, a 24-track tape &amp; other analog gear. The albums vintage 70`s vibe definitely creates a retro listening experience- each and every song is unique and unforgettable, in it's own way. 

One week Wonder is currently planning to shoot a Marooned/Sci-Fi film inspired music video for their new song Mars, as well as preparing for their concert at Cord in Munich on th 5th of december.
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Who is James Wonder ?
James Wonder was born and raised in Brooklyn, New York.
Music has always played a major role in his life as a youth. He grew up observing his older brother, who was a DJ at the time of his early childhood who mixed and played urban hip-hop & reggae music. James quickly became inspired by some of the great pioneers of hip hop and reggae music  like; Cool G. Rap, Mad Lion, LL Cool J, Onyx, Tupac, Biggie Smalls, and The Stone Love Sound Set. 
However, It wasn’t until he moved to an upper west side housing shelter called (V.O.A) after his mother decided that she would rather live in a homeless shelter in Manhattan than see her sons suffer the fate of being caught out on the streets of Brooklyn. 
James Wonder was about 14 years old, when he discovered and became more aware of his talent, when he came across a group of kids who used to freestyle rhymes off the top of their heads, this ability gained the interest of this young man. and made him eagerly wanting to learn more about the various genres of music and the different fields of entertainment.  
During High School James Worked as a free lance production assistant working for a number of short films and music videos for top artist like; Wesley Snipes, Lauryn Hill’s “Every thing Is Everything “, Maxwell’s “Let’s not play the game” Gang Starr’s  “Moment of Truth”, Black Rob’s  “Like Woa” Music Video. To a T.V Series called “Rescue Me”  and doing a number of jobs for "Show Time Net Works” Before the age of 20. 
James Wonder’s fascination of the various areas of music and entertainment was amused by the unbelievable amazing graphic details in Japanese animation which coaxed him toward learning more about the untainted culture of the country of japan. 
James decided at the age of 21 that he would embark on his life changing journey to Japan. Little that he knew, the social, economical, and cultural conditions that James faced while living in Japan were extremely difficult for him. He had no one he could truly call his friend, and the language barrier consistently caused issues for him on a day to day basis.
Shortly after moving to Japan, He became homeless and used to sleep in the StarBucks Coffee Shop in Roppongi Tokyo Japan, a place well known for It’s entertainment night life. However being strong minded and true to his passion for entertainment allowed him to overcome these mundane obstacles that appeared to be almost impossible to break free from. This is where he began to take his talent for music and acting more seriously. Its was his key for survival.
James believes that rhyming and acting was formulated to express the struggles of his hard times so that others would experience that it was far from being a walk in the park. Also to give viewers or listeners of these bodies of work, a better understanding what's it like walking in his  shoes for brief moment of their precious time.  
So lets explore the wonderful world of James Wonder.

some geek making mixes in his room....in his boxers

Mark Wonder, born Mark Andrew Thompson in Kingston, Jamaica, is truly a Jamaican wonder. Although Jamaica has no shortage of roots singers, Mark Wonder is a musical force that must be reckoned with. He has been blessed with an awesome musical talent. His powerful and infectious vocal delivery and master song crafting cannot be disputed. One can simply not resist singing or rocking to his quality creations which have a universal appeal whether he is praising the Almighty, chanting revolutionary songs laced with social commentary, or keeping the fire of the ancient ones ablaze. His joyful expressions and contagious love songs are also exemplary of the breathtaking quality and range of this amazing and gifted singer. Mark Wonder was influenced by his mother’s love for music and her record collection that included the great early R&B classics of The Impressions, Sam Cooke, Otis Redding, Marvin Gaye, Aretha Franklin, Smokey Robinson, Patti Labelle and Stevie Wonder from whom he has adopted the name “Wonder”. He was also influenced by foundation Jamaican music from artists like Burning Spear, Alton Ellis, Marcia Griffiths, Bob Andy, Heptones, Ken Boothe, Black Uhuru, Beres Hammond, Third World, Barrington Levy, The Wailers with Bob, Peter and Bunny, and Dennis Brown who in particular inspired him to become a singer. He developed his craft around the sound system in and around his community. From there he got the opportunity to go to the recording studio.Intérêts :King Jammy was his first stop where he did one recording. Not getting enough attention he moved on to neighboring Black Scorpio which eventually launched his recording career. “Caution” was his very first vinyl single. Then came “Girl I Love Your Style” and “A We Rule” – all on the Black Scorpio imprint. A string of singles followed on other small labels and Mark was on his way to realize his vision. He has grown tremendously creating a unique style of his own and is now considered one of the best vocalists in roots reggae. Even Jamaica’s Daily Gleaner newspaper took notice and has described him as “a sound very reminiscent of Garnet Silk.” But Mark sees himself as just another instrument and considers it always an honor to blow the trumpet in a vocal tone. This son of the Tribe of Levi continues to record for many labels and has forged respect and admiration from established and budding international roots labels such as Al.Ta.Fa.An., Addis Records, Bobby Digital, Soundproof Productions, Special Delivery, Pow Pow, World-A-Music, 321 Strong and Acoustic Vibes with whom he coproduced quite a few impressive singles with other artists.Style de musique :Mark has done several collaborative recordings with prominent reggae artists from Sizzla to Germany’s number one reggae artist, Gentleman. Mark has recorded several albums to date which include “Signs of the Times”, “Jeremiah”, “Break The Ice”, and a live album which was recorded in 2001 in Switzerland titled, “Mark Wonder Live at the Couple With Special Guest Prince Theo and the New Land Band.” “Break The Ice” brought out the powerful single “Rainbow Child”. Now Mark Wonder has started his own imprint, Battle-Axe Productions, and set his sights on controlling his own music. “Victory-The Mystery Unfolds”, his first project is a masterful and well-crafted production decorated with lush horns and arrangements. The potent lyrical vibrations touch a range of issues including social commentary. Mark has widely toured Europe where he has steadily been building a solid fan base. In the U.S. he has created a huge impact especially on the west coast receiving tremendous response and rave reviews for his wonderful vocal styling and energetic live performances. “I-man deh pon the mission, yeah, as one of the militant soldiers, and as a son of Levi, I-man know what I duty is. The music is the source I and I use to deliver I and I message and always glorifying his Imperial Majesty Emperor Haile Selassie I.” Mark Wonder strives, through his music, to educate, inspire and bring consciousness with a spiritual essence and cultural awareness to listeners.

Bertha Wilmer is following