Charles Webster is a British electronic

music producer A record producer or music producer is a music creating project's overall supervisor whose responsibilities can involve a range of creative and technical leadership roles. Typically the job involves hands-on oversight of recording sessions; ensu ...

and DJ who specialises in producing

house music House is a genre of electronic dance music characterized by a repetitive Four on the floor (music), four-on-the-floor beat and a typical tempo of 115–130 beats per minute. It was created by DJs and music producers from Chicago's underground ...

, amongst several other genres, including

downtempo Downtempo (or downbeat) is a broad label for electronic music that features an atmospheric sound and slower beats than would typically be found in dance music. Closely related to ambient music but with greater emphasis on rhythm, the style may ...

and

jazz Jazz is a music genre that originated in the African-American communities of New Orleans, Louisiana, in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Its roots are in blues, ragtime, European harmony, African rhythmic rituals, spirituals, h ...

. He has recorded under his own name as well as under a series of aliases including Presence, Furry Phreaks, and Love From San Francisco, and in collaboration with several other artists.Tantum, Bruce (2013)
Interview: Charles Webster
, ''

Time Out New York ''Time Out'' is a global magazine published by Time Out Group. ''Time Out'' started as a London-only publication in 1968 and has expanded its editorial recommendations to 333 cities in 59 countries worldwide. In 2012, the London edition became ...

'', 27 August 2013. Retrieved 16 June 2014 Webster ran the now-defunct record labels Remote and Love From San Francisco,''All Systems Gone''
, ''

NME ''New Musical Express'' (''NME'') is a British music, film, gaming and culture website, bimonthly magazine, and brand. Founded as a newspaper in 1952, with the publication being referred to as a "Rock music, rock inkie", the ''NME'' would be ...

'', 4 January 1999. Retrieved 16 June 2014 but currently owns and operates his Miso Records label.

History

Born in

Matlock, Derbyshire Matlock is the county town of Derbyshire, England. It is in the south-eastern part of the Peak District, with the National Park directly to the west. The spa resort of Matlock Bath is immediately south of the town as well as Cromford lying fur ...

, Charles Webster grew up in the

Peak District The Peak District is an Highland, upland area in central-northern England, at the southern end of the Pennines. Mostly in Derbyshire, it extends into Cheshire, Greater Manchester, Staffordshire, West Yorkshire and South Yorkshire. It is subdivi ...

.Oliver, Scott (2013)
Charles Webster
, ''Leftlion'', 6 October 2013. Retrieved 16 June 2014 His father was an artist and his mother (in his own words) "just worked at whatever she felt like at the time", and his parents' record collection was an early influence, Webster stating that "it was when they got into Kraftwerk that I decided to become a musician". He got his first instruments at age 13 (

guitar The guitar is a stringed musical instrument that is usually fretted (with Fretless guitar, some exceptions) and typically has six or Twelve-string guitar, twelve strings. It is usually held flat against the player's body and played by strumming ...

synthesizer A synthesizer (also synthesiser or synth) is an electronic musical instrument that generates audio signals. Synthesizers typically create sounds by generating waveforms through methods including subtractive synthesis, additive synthesis a ...

, and

drum machine A drum machine is an electronic musical instrument that creates percussion sounds, drum beats, and patterns. Drum machines may imitate drum kits or other percussion instruments, or produce unique sounds, such as synthesized electronic tones. A d ...

). He studied art in Derby before moving to

Nottingham Nottingham ( , East Midlands English, locally ) is a City status in the United Kingdom, city and Unitary authorities of England, unitary authority area in Nottinghamshire, East Midlands, England. It is located south-east of Sheffield and nor ...

where he began playing in electronic bands (including Mile High Club) and started working in a restaurant – the owner of which also just happened to own the city's 'Garage Club', where he began performing.Larkin, Colin (2000) ''The Virgin Encyclopedia of Nineties Music'', Virgin Books, , p. 315 Webster worked with US artists such as

Juan Atkins Juan Atkins (born September 12, 1962), also known as Model 500 and Infiniti, is an American record producer and DJ from Detroit, Michigan. ''Mixmag'' has described him as "the original pioneer of Detroit techno." He has been a member of the Belle ...

, Derrick May, and

Kevin Saunderson Kevin Maurice Saunderson (born September 5, 1964) is an American electronic dance music DJ and record producer. He is famous for being a member of a trio, along with Juan Atkins and Derrick May, who came to be known as the Belleville Three, w ...

through his job as a recording engineer at Square Dance studios in Derby, and moved to

San Francisco San Francisco, officially the City and County of San Francisco, is a commercial, Financial District, San Francisco, financial, and Culture of San Francisco, cultural center of Northern California. With a population of 827,526 residents as of ...

in 1992 where he started the Love From San Francisco label.Bush, John
Charles Webster Biography
,

Allmusic AllMusic (previously known as All-Music Guide and AMG) is an American online database, online music database. It catalogs more than three million album entries and 30 million tracks, as well as information on Musical artist, musicians and Mus ...

. Retrieved 16 June 2014Paoletta, Michael (1999)
U.K.'s Charles Webster Maintains Unorthodox Presence
, ''

Billboard A billboard (also called a hoarding in the UK and many other parts of the world) is a large outdoor advertising structure (a billing board), typically found in high-traffic areas such as alongside busy roads. Billboards present large advertis ...

'', 9 January 1999, p. 22. Retrieved 16 June 2014Levisman, Sean (2010)
UK House Legend Charles Webster Talks Three Decades of EDM and His Latest Projects
, ''

Miami New Times The ''Miami New Times'' is a newspaper published in Miami, Florida, United States, and distributed every Thursday. It primarily serves the Miami metropolitan area, and is headquartered in Miami's Wynwood Art District. Overview It was acquired ...

'', 14 October 2010. Retrieved 16 June 2014 This led to his music being released on other US labels. Back in the UK in 1996, Webster started the Remote label. The '' All Systems Gone'' album, released in 1999 and credited to the ensemble Presence, which featured singers

Shara Nelson Shara Nelson (born 1965) is an English singer and songwriter. She worked with Massive Attack in the early 1990s, and as a solo artist had five UK top 40 hit singles. Her 1993 debut album, '' What Silence Knows'', was shortlisted for the Mercury ...

, Sara Jay, and

Steve Edwards Steve, Steven or Stephen Edwards may refer to: *Steve Edwards (American football) (born 1979), American football player for the Arizona Rattlers *Steve Edwards (field hockey) (born 1986), New Zealand Olympic field hockey player * Steve Edwards (phy ...

, was described by Webster as "a collection of songs for the clubs and the home", and included the singles "Sense of Danger" (featuring Nelson), "Future Love", and "Better Day".Charles Webster – Remixed On The 24th Of July
", '' Uncut''. Retrieved 16 June 2014Paoletta, Michael (2000)
Presence ''All Systems Gone''
, ''

'', 22 January 2000, p. 30. Retrieved 16 June 2014 The album was well received by critics, garnering an 11/10 rating from '' DJ'' magazine, and described by

as "Probably the first classic record of the 21st century."Greenwald, Matthew
''All Systems Gone''
,

. Retrieved 16 June 2014 ''Born on the 24th of July'' (

Peacefrog Records Peacefrog Records is a British independent record label based in London, England. The label produces releases in many different styles of electronic music, as well as branching out into folk and indie artists such as José González, Nouvell ...

) was recorded over an 18-month period between 1999 and 2000, and released in 2001, featuring contributions from

Terra Deva Terra Deva McNair (born June 22, 1976) is an American singer, actress, and dancer, best known for performing on seasons 4 and 5 of Disney Channel's ''The All New Mickey Mouse Club''.'' Biography Deva was born in San Jose, California on June 22, ...

, and

Massive Attack Massive Attack are an English trip hop collective formed in 1988 in Bristol, England, by Robert Del Naja, Robert "3D" Del Naja, Daddy G, Grant "Daddy G" Marshall, Tricky (musician), Adrian "Tricky" Thaws and Andrew Vowles, Andrew "Mushroom" ...

vocalist Sara Jay.Paoletta, Michael (2001)
Webster Reinvents Under His 'Born' Name on Peacefrog
, ''

'', 3 November 2001, p. 48. Retrieved 16 June 2014Glazer, Joshua
''Born on the 24th of July'' Review
,

. Retrieved 16 June 2014Orlov, Piotr (2001)
Charles Webster ''Born on the 24th of July''
, ''

CMJ New Music Report CMJ Holdings Corp. is a music events, online media company and a distributor of up and coming music CDs, originally founded in 1978, which ran a website, hosted an annual festival in New York City, and published two magazines, ''CMJ New Music ...

'', 5 November 2001. Retrieved 16 June 2014Paoletta, Michael (2001)
Charles Webster ''Born on the 24th of July''
, ''

'', 15 December 2001, p. 22. Retrieved 16 June 2014 A remixed version of ''Born on the 24th of July'' was released in late 2003, featuring mixes by several Peacefrog label artists.Theakston, Rob
''Remixed on the 24th of July'' Review
,

. Retrieved 16 June 2014 After five years of touring and production, 2007 saw the release of a definitive three-disc Webster compilation project on

Defected Records Defected Records, or simply Defected, is a British independent record label specialising in house music recordings, compilation albums, events, publishing, artist bookings and management. Defected is one of the longest running independent lab ...

,Nicholson, Peter (2008)
Charles Webster: Long Player
,

XLR8R ''XLR8R'' (pronounced "accelerator") is a website that covers music, culture, style, and technology. It was originally also a print magazine. History and profile ''XLR8R'' was founded as a newsprint zine in 1993 by publisher Andrew Smith in S ...

, 12 May 2008. Retrieved 16 June 2014 followed in 2008 by a ''Coast 2 Coast'' compilation for NRK Records and ''Strictly Rhythms Vol. 4''. 2013 saw the release of two albums from Webster — a retrospective compilation on Defected called ''House Masters: Charles Webster'', and a modern big band jazz album with Pete Wraight (as the Wraight-Webster Ensemble), ''No Lucky Days''.Schubert, Carolina (2013)
Webster Wraight Ensemble
, '' Mixmag Brasil'', 14 May 2013. Retrieved 16 June 2014

Discography

Albums

* 1999 '' All Systems Gone'' as 'Presence' * 2001 ''Born on the 24th of July'' as Charles Webster * 2003 ''Remixed on the 24th of July'' as Charles Webster * 2013 ''No Lucky Days'' (with Peter Wraight) as 'Webster Wraight Ensemble' * 2020 ''Decision Time'' as Charles Webster

Compilations

* 2005 "What's Phat Pussy Cat 4" on CCP Record Company * 2007 "Defected Presents Charles Webster" on

* 2008 "Coast 2 Coast" on NRK Records * 2010 "Strictly Rhythms Vol. 4" on

Strictly Rhythm Strictly Rhythm is an American house music record label. History The label was founded on May 1, 1989, by Gladys Pizarro and Mark Finkelstein, who were both working as A&R in a label called Spring Records. Working with house music artists ...

* 2010 "Pioneers of House: Charles Webster" on Soul Candi * 2011 "Studio Soul" on Do It Now Recordings * 2013 "House Masters Charles Webster" on

Singles

;Charles Webster * 1996 "Random House Vol. 1" (with Paul K. Joyce) * 2000 "Your Life" (with Mark Sheridan and Sara Jay) * 2001 "I Understand You" (with Delroy St. Joseph) * 2002 "It's Not What It Was" * 2002 "Ready" (with

) * 2011 "I Am The Sun" (with Cathy Battistessa) * 2011 "Fight For Freedom" (with Thandi Draai) * 2012 "Be Yourself" (with Diviniti) * 2012 "Lonely" (with Diviniti) * 2012 "Learning to Love Me" (with Diviniti) * 2012 "Give Me More" (with

Shana Halligan Shana Beth Halligan (born October 11, 1973) is a singer, songwriter, and composer based in Los Angeles, California, best known for her work as the former vocalist for the trip-hop act Bitter:Sweet. She is the daughter of Dick Halligan, a found ...

) * 2012 "Our Jewel" (with January Tuesday) * 2014 "Searching for my life" (Siya aka Solo) ;Presence * 1995 "My Baby" * 1996 "The Spectrum EP" * 1996 "The Strength" * 1996 "Unreleased Stuff Vol. 1/2" * 1997 "Better Day" (with

) * 1997 "Remixes" * 1998 "White Powder EP" * 1998 "Sense of Danger" (with

) * 1999 "Future Love" (with

) ;Furry Phreaks * 1994 "Gonna Find a Way" * 1995 "Want Me Like Water" (with

) * 1996 "Soothe" (with

) * 1997 "Remixes" * 2001 "Want Me Like Water 2001" (with

) * 2005 "Mixed Messages EP" * 2007 "All Over the World" (with

) ;DJ Profile * 1997 "The EP" * 1998 "Prove It" * 1998 "Unreleased Stuff Vol. 3/4" * 2000 "Simpletone EP" ;Sine * 1992 "Deep Anxiety EP" (with Sara Jay) * 1992 "I Like It Deep" * 1993 "Round and Round" (with Sara Jay) ;Hot Lizard : ''All with Gary Marsden and Paul Wain'' * 1995 "The Theme" * 1996 "Big Air" * 1996 "165... Drop" * 1998 "Tokyo Traffic" ;Symetrics : ''All with Andrew Hulme and Roger Horberry'' * 1993 "Anyway" * 1993 "Drop EP" * 1996 "EP 01" * 1997 "Life Goes On" ;Other aliases * 1992 "Belgium", as Megatonk * 1992 "Disco Heave", as Smooch * 1992 "Demonise", as Yukon * 1993 "We Can Work It Out", as Good Together * 1993 "Don't Stop", as Unique * 1994 "I'll Hear Your Body", as Positive * 1994 "Keep to the Beat", as The Boy * 1994 "Keep Rockin", as Love From San Francisco * 1994 "Switch", as Natural * 1994 "Happy Trax EP", as Together Trax * 1995 "Sidetracked", as Mendocino * 1996 "The Florida Fantasy EP", as Love From San Francisco * 1996 "You Make Me Feel", as City of Angels * 1997 "Instant Coco", as Taster's Choice (with

Ron Trent Ronald "Ron" Trent (born May 23, 1973) is an American house music Disc Jockey, DJ and record producer. Music career After experimenting with beat machines and a small Keyboard instrument, keyboard in 1986, he began recording the track "Altered S ...

) * 1998 "Boxed", as Starpeace * 1999 "For the Music", as Colourful Karma (with

) * 1999 "Kinda Kickin'", as DJ Boom (with

Matthew Herbert Matthew Herbert (born in 1972), also known as Herbert, Doctor Rockit, Radio Boy, Mr. Vertigo, Transformer, Wishmountain, and DJ Empty, is a British electronic musician. He often takes sounds from everyday items to produce electronic music. ...

) * 2002 "21st Century Blues", as lo:rise (with Mark Sheridan and Sara Jay) * 2003 "For the Music (Remixes)", as Colourful Karma (with

) * 2005 "Life Goes On", as lo:rise (with Sara Jay) * 2008 "The Brighter Side", as Version (with Martin Iveson)

References

External links

* * {{DEFAULTSORT:Webster, Charles Year of birth missing (living people) Living people British house musicians English house musicians British remixers Musicians from Nottinghamshire Peacefrog Records artists