JODY

WAY OUT WEST

In the late 80's, legendary Bristol duo 'Smith and Mighty' opened up their studio to two very young kids who went by the name of 'Tru Funk Posse'. These two self-taught, pre-pubescent hip hoppers had already produced a hefty handful of tracks utilising one of the first ever computer based drum machines which ran on the ZX Spectrum, the classic rubber-keyed computer which is best remembered for games such as 'Jet Set Willie' and 'Attic Attack'. With a modified belt driven record deck, the older member of T.F.P. (not yet a teenager) learned to imitate the hip hop DJ's of the time who were still inventing and mastering the art for themselves.

Under Smith and Mighty's 'Three Stripe' Label, the two youngsters released a well received single as well as performing anywhere the bouncers would let them through the door, breaking through to the finals of one of the first ever DMC championships and receiving national notoriety from mags such as The Face, Hip Hop Connection and I.D. Who was responsible for the musical side of the operation? None other than a pre-teen Jody Wisternoff, who, as well as filling the world's most illustrious dance floors is also half of one of houses most progressive acts - Way Out West. During the early 90's Jody could be seen behind the decks at massive raves such as Universe and collaborating with Die of Roni Size's 'Full Cycle' Crew. The duo (first known as Tru Funk then as Sublove) released several records including '4 am' which, to this day is regarded as an underground classic. As the decade danced on Jody spent 3 years resident at Bristol's famous Lakota and began to create sonic masterpieces with fellow DJ Nick Warren. As 'Subversion 3' Jody and Nick developed their sound and left a trail of highly original dance tracks behind them. Originally intended as a remix project, Way Out West quickly became Jody's main focus as he and Nick began churning out dance gems such as 'Shoot' and 'Montana' while providing acts such as Marcella Detroit, Sasha and Dubstar with remixes. In 1994 'Way Out West' were signed to Deconstruction records. Their first release for this label 'Ajare' hinted at what was to come, with pop hooks, bizarre samples and epic hindu swirlings. This was followed by 'Domination', which introduced a harder, trancier side and 'The Gift', which reached number 15 in the UK national charts with its highly infectious refrain "The moon and the stars were the gifts you gave". 'Way Out West's' first eponymous album was released in 1997 to huge critical acclaim. Tracks such as 'King of the funk' and 'Sequoia' provided the perfect summer soundtrack. And single 'Blue' could be seen on T.V. with its bizarre video featuring cult actor Harry Dean Stanton.

Nick and Jody set off on tour and played high powered live shows all over Europe (including England's world-renowned Glastonbury Festival, Amsterdam (MTV party) and MIDEM, France). Jody continued to expand upon his DJ talents landing residencies at Bristol's 'Lakota' and London's legendary 'Club UK'. In 1998 at Bristol's Ashton Court Festival (the worlds biggest free festival) Jody to give a solo 'Way Out West' performance (Nick Warren having been marooned in Ibiza). The show went down a treat under the red, sunset sky and quickly became the talk of the festival. While Nick toured extensively as a DJ, Jody concentrated his efforts on a further string of remixes (Art Of Noise, Paul Van Dyke and Natalie Imbruglia all got the treatment), as well as developing the group's second LP. As the decade came to a close Jody also spent considerable time on the road gracing the decks in Ireland, Moscow, Hong Kong and the US - which he currently visits once a month to play places such as the notorious Viper Rooms in LA and San-Francisco's 'Spundae'. At the dawn of the new millennium Jody was spinning the turntables in Washington DC's massive 'Buzz' club.

Jody has played numerous nights across the UK this year, including 'Work' at The Cross, in London, 'Time Flies' in Cardiff, Bournemouth's awesome new night 'Vice' @ Urban and Lush in Portrush. Regular slots at Bristol's Café Blue and Creation, monthly trips to Guernsey and numerous European guest appearances led a natural path towards his forthcoming residency at Time Flies, in Bristol. Further trips abroad this year have included guest slots at Twilo (NY) and a massive 3 week world tour lined up for the end of the year, visiting The States, Hawaii, New Zealand, Australia, Hong Kong and Japan, culminating in a New Years Eve special in Tel Aviv. Jody's exclusive breakbeat appearances across the UK include Beatz and Bobz in Exeter and London's 'The End'.

Despite his hectic studio and road schedules of the past two years, Jody has also found the time to release two Mix compilations for 'Kickin' Records (Escension 1 & 2) and is currently compiling a mix album for 'Bliss Productions' due for release in the United States, later this year. Scheduled for release in January of 2001, 'Way Out West's' forthcoming album is a masterwork of swirling atmospherics, big trancey beats and a musical sensibility previously unprecedented within the genre. (Promos of the album tracks 'The Fall', 'Redemption', 'UB Devoid' and 'Spike' are already tearing up the dance floors at the hands of the select few DJ's lucky enough to get a copy). Look out for the beautifully effecting melodies of the featured singers gliding in and out of Jody's trademark soundscapes in the vocal tracks of 'Stealth' and 'Hypnotise'. As excitement for progressive house builds in America and continues to develop and mutate here in the UK, Jody Wisternoff is, undoubtedly, at the forefront.