>> Paul Murphy
bio: was first bitten by the DJ bug in the late 70’s when he was promoting a club night The Kingswood Club and the DJ did’nt turn up due to inclement weather. A string of Chitlin Circuit gigs followed till the big moment finally arrives with the opening JAFFAS. at The Horseshoe, Tottenham Court Road W1. The club was the first to mix jazz with the infant Jazz Dance scene. Guests included British acts such as Morrisey Mullen, Paz, Breakfast Band, Gonzalez and the legendary Heath Brothers (on the night of the Brixton Riots!!).
Further mishaps and adventures followed including a year running a shop (Fusion Records) in Clerkenwell and promoting a concert at the YMCA featuring Brazilian singer/pianist Tania Maria.
Other gigs and clubs Paul Murphy has played include: The Electric Ballroom Camden Town, where Paul started the now legendary Jazz Room, The Wag Club Soho W1, The 100 Club, Oxford Street, London W1, The Comedy Store, London W1 and The Sol Y Sombra, Charlotte Street, London W1.
In 1984 to 1986 Paul ran Palladin Records which released the now seminal Venceremos by London based collective Working Week. He also released LP’s by Tommy Chase, Jimmy Mcgriff and Phil Upchurch amongst many others.
Paul Murphy was also the first WIRE Magazine DJ of the Year in 1985.
Eddie Piller of Acid Jazz rediscovered Paul in Ireland after his mysterious disappearance from the club scene at the beginning of the 90’s. Paul took up his offer of a residency at the much missed Blue Note club in London’s Hoxton Square. This put Paul right back in the spotlight and soon offers to record and DJ were pouring in and Paul is now running Afro Art Records, the London based label founded by former Ballistic Brother Ashley Beedle.
Since then Paul has released several singles and has been involved in many of the other Afro Art releases amongst which are Unitedeye “Far East Of The West”, High Fidelity “Cream Of Beats” Cubalooba “Cubalooba” and the latest Unitedeye single “Big Chief” which was immediately licensed to the “Big Chill” Enchanted Garden compilation and the “Dope on Plastic” compilation and is also the theme tune for “Wanderlust” a TV programme on RTE Ireland.
Pauls releases of “Ska East of the West” and “Big Chief” featured on many playlists including top New York dj Joe Claussel (Body and Soul), Boris Dlugosch (Sing it Back /Moloko), Tim “Love” Lee, John Stapleton (Dope on Plastic).
The B side of “Big Chief” “Sambana” is currently prominently featured on the new Jon Carter Mix cd for Bugged Out called “Viva Bugged Out” plus Pauls production of “Question?” by The Man is currently about to be featured on a high profile compilation from Danny Rampling.
Pauls “Jazz Room” single UE 006 has been one of his most popular releases so far and was not only one of Afro Arts biggest sellers but also was charted by over 100 djs and has featured on over 30 different compilations.
Pauls “That Beat” is currently on release on 7” & 12” with extra mixes from Ricky Morrison (Salsoul Nugget) and Big Hair and is currently being played out by the Groove Armada, JellyJazz’s Pete Isaac, Kid Loco and many others. Paul has remixed and produced many varied projects including Neon Heights, Robin Jones , Tito Heron, Kid Loco and Ashley Slater.
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