Jerome Sydenham (born 1967,

Ibadan Ibadan (, ; ) is the capital and most populous city of Oyo State, in Nigeria. It is the third-largest city by population in Nigeria after Lagos and Kano, with a total population of 3,649,000 as of 2021, and over 6 million people within its ...

, Nigeria) is an

electronic music Electronic music is a Music genre, genre of music that employs electronic musical instruments, digital instruments, or electronics, circuitry-based music technology in its creation. It includes both music made using electronic and electromech ...

producer, DJ and multi-record label owner known for establishing a pan-African electro direction within the

house A house is a single-unit residential building. It may range in complexity from a rudimentary hut to a complex structure of wood, masonry, concrete or other material, outfitted with plumbing, electrical, and heating, ventilation, and air ...

and

techno Techno is a Music genre, genre of electronic dance music (EDM) which is generally music production, produced for use in a continuous DJ set, with tempo often varying between 120 and 150 beats per minute (bpm). The central Drum beat, rhythm is typ ...

genres. Born and raised in Ibadan, Nigeria, Jerome Sydenham was schooled in his teens in England before migrating to New York City in the early 1980s to further his music interests with his family there. He is now based in

Berlin Berlin is Capital of Germany, the capital and largest city of Germany, both by area and List of cities in Germany by population, by population. Its more than 3.85 million inhabitants make it the European Union's List of cities in the European U ...

, Germany running a stable of record labels including Ibadan Records as well as actively touring as a DJ and producing music. Following a recording career, Jerome Sydenham released an album, ''Animal Social Club'', on Ibadan Records in 2012, followed by a co-production project with Aybee and Ron Trent under the artist name S.A.T. which saw a release of an album of the same name in 2014 to acclaimed reviews.

A&R background

Sydenham was recruited into the A&R division of Atlantic Records in 1989. In 1994, while at

East West Records East West Records (stylized as east''west'') is a record label formed in 1955, distributed and owned by Warner Music Group, headquartered in London, England. History Upon its creation in 1955 by Atlantic Records, the label had one hit with th ...

, owned by

Warner Music Group Warner Music Group Corp. (trade name, d.b.a. Warner Music Group, commonly abbreviated as WMG) is an American Multinational corporation, multinational entertainment and record label Conglomerate (company), conglomerate headquartered in New York C ...

, his underground dance music interests continued to run in tangent with his commercial A&R work as he largely succeeded in crossing dance over to the mainstream with albums by

Ten City Ten City (derived from ''intensity'') is an American, Chicago, Illinois-based R&B and house music act, that enjoyed a number of club hits and Urban radio hits in the late 1980s and early 1990s and was one of the first exponents of deep house. ...

and

Michael Watford Michael Watford is an American dance music singer, who was born in Virginia and raised in New Jersey. He is best known for his gospel-influenced vocals on house records throughout the 1990s and 2000s. Biography Four of his singles charted on the ...

. During this time, he also compiled one of the representations of early 1990s deep house with his "Underground Dance Classics Vol. 1" CD showcasing some of the earliest productions from a young

Roger Sanchez Roger Sanchez (born June 1, 1967) is a Dominican-American house music DJ, remixer and producer. He won a Grammy Award for his remix of " Hella Good" by No Doubt in 2003, and is best known for his song " Another Chance", which was an internation ...

, Murk and Pal Joey. It was there where he also met

Kerri Chandler Kerri Camar Chandler (born 28 September 1969) is an American house DJ and record producer. Biography Chandler's influences go back to New Jersey, growing up in a family of jazz musicians. His father, Joseph Chandler, was a DJ and provided him wi ...

, releasing one of his records on Atlantic in 1990. The two would continue to be close friends and collaborators later in life along with

Dennis Ferrer Dennis Ferrer (born December 26 1970) is a New York-based DJ, producer and remixer. He currently resides in Union City, New Jersey. A veteran of soulful house music production, he has worked with the likes of Masters at Work (MAW), Little Louie ...

and Joe Claussell.

Music career

Sydenham landed his first DJ residency at the New York nightclub Nell's in 1987, which featured DJs such as Miss Kier from Deee-Lite. He passed a demo cassette to the venue and got a call to play when another DJ cancelled. Jerome Sydenham continued to play there for four years. By 1995, his DJ career went international while touring with Joe Claussell and Kerri Chandler. That landmark year of his career, Jerome Sydenham also founded the Ibadan Records label and by 2000, his imprint was known for pioneering a fresh Tech-house sound with co-producer Dennis Ferrer. The series led to releases such as "Timbuktu", "Stockholm Go Bang!" and the crossover hit, "Sandcastles". In 2006, Sydenham followed up with two remixes "He Is" and Julian Jabre's "Swimming Places". Other releases include collaborations with Get Physical's Swedish talent Tiger Stripes and their "Elevation" as well as their remix of Faze Action's "In The Trees". The year 2007 also saw the initiation of a new label collaboration, Avocado Records, established in Denmark with producer Rune RK with the monster track "Elephant". Sydenham continued with a series of remixes such as Carl Craig's ‘Angel’ on Planet E, Adam Beyer & Joel Mull ‘Forming Dies’ on Drumcode, and another for Planetary Assault Systems ‘GT’ (Function & Jerome Sydenham Remix) on Mote Evolver.

A&R achievements

Sydenham has received the following gold and platinum records during his A&R involvement at Atlantic Records and East West Records:

Gold records

Yo-Yo A yo-yo (also spelled yoyo) is a toy consisting of an axle connected to two cylinder, disks, and a string looped around the axle, similar to a wikt:spool, spool. It is an ancient toy with proof of existence since 500 BCE. The yo-yo was also ca ...

– "You Can't Play with My Yo-Yo" feat.

Ice Cube An ice cube is a small piece of ice, which is typically rectangular as viewed from above and trapezoidal as viewed from the side. Ice cubes are products of mechanical refrigeration and are usually produced to cool beverages. They may be p ...

(single) (1991) *

LeVert LeVert was an American R&B vocal group from Cleveland, Ohio, United States. Formed in 1983, LeVert was composed of Sean and Gerald Levert (sons of Eddie Levert, founder and lead singer of R&B/Soul vocal group O'Jays) and Marc Gordon.Wells, ...

– "Private Line" (single) (1991) *

En Vogue En Vogue is an American vocal girl group whose original lineup consisted of singers Terry Ellis, Dawn Robinson, Cindy Herron, and Maxine Jones. Formed in Oakland, California, in 1989, En Vogue reached No. 2 on the US Hot 100 with the single ...

– "My Lovin" (first single from Funky Divas) (1992) *En Vogue – "Giving Him Something He Can Feel" (second single from Funky Divas) (1992) *En Vogue – "Free Your Mind" (third single from Funky Divas) (1992) *En Vogue – "Give It Up, Turn It Loose" (fourth single from Funky Divas) (1993) *

Da Lench Mob Da Lench Mob was an American hip hop group from Los Angeles, California, associated with Ice Cube. The group consisted of rappers Shorty, T-Bone, J-Dee, Maulkie, and Ice Cube. Their Islamic religious and social politically inspired-lyrics ga ...

– ''Guerillas in tha Mist'' (album) (1992) *

The Family Stand The Family Stand is an American soul and R&B group based in New York City, active since the late 1980s, consisting of Sandra St. Victor, Peter Lord Moreland, and V. Jeffrey Smith. Evon Geffries & The Stand Their first incarnation was called E ...

– ''Ghetto Heaven'' (album) (1990) *

Das EFX Das EFX is an American hip hop duo. It consists of emcees Dray (also known as Krazy Drayz, born Andre Weston, September 9, 1970) and Skoob (also known as Books and Boogie Bang, born William "Willie" Hines, November 27, 1970). They named the ...

– "They Want EFX" (single) (1992) *Das EFX – ''Straight Up Sewaside'' (album) (1993)

Platinum records

– ''Born to Sing'' (album) (1990) *En Vogue – ''Funky Divas'' (album) (1990), US 5× platinum *En Vogue – "Hold On" (single from ''Born to Sing'') (1992) *

Simply Red Simply Red are a British soul and pop band formed in Manchester in 1985. The lead vocalist of the band is singer and songwriter Mick Hucknall, who, by the time the band initially disbanded in 2010, was the only original member left. Since the ...

– ''Stars'' (album) (1991), US 12× platinum *

Snow Snow comprises individual ice crystals that grow while suspended in the atmosphere An atmosphere () is a layer of gas or layers of gases that envelop a planet, and is held in place by the gravity of the planetary body. A planet ...

– ''12 Inches of Snow'' (album) (1992) *Snow – "Informer" (single) (1992) *

– ''Dead Serious'' (album) (1992)

Label management

Jerome Sydenham and his label, Ibadan Records, managed together with Christine Pedersen, is principal to several labels including: *Apotek Records *Avocado Records * Ibadan Records *Public Service Records *UK Promotions

Selected discography

Ibadan Records LP

*2001: ''Saturday'' (with Kerri Chandler)

Ibadan Records EPs

*2015: ''Rudra'' *2013: ''Sun Ark'' (with Carl Craig and Lo Hype) *2013: ''No Shade'' (with Aschka and Sylvie Floret) *2012: ''White Light (Remixes)'' (vs Function) *2012: ''I Adventure'' (with No Mad Ronin) *2011: ''Natural Spray'' (with Aschka) *2010: ''White Light'' (vs Function) *2010: ''Mobile / Skimming / Incense'' (with Function) *2010: ''Thick & Thin'' (with Argy and DJ Said) *2009: ''Jango 01'' *2009: ''Jango 02'' (with Nikola Gala and DJ Oji) *2009: ''Brooklyn Rock'' (with Nikola Gala) *2008: ''Ebian'' (with Texu and Romantic Couch) *2008: ''Elevation & F12 Remixes'' (with Tiger Stripes) *2008: ''In the Barber Shop'' *2007: ''Timbuktu'' (with

) *2006: ''Sandcastles'' (with

) *2006: ''Son of Raw / Undertow / Back Door'' (with

) *2006: ''№ 8 – Elevation'' (with Tiger Stripes) *2005: ''Stockholm – Go Bang!'' (with Mikael Nordgren) *2005: ''Candela'' (with

) *2005: ''Je Ka Jo'' (with

) *2000: ''Àró''

Apotek EPs

*2014: ''My Normal Usual Far'' (with Jonas Kopp and Sally) *2013: ''Disciple Trail'' *2011: ''The Canine EP'' *2010: ''Vanishing Point / Weather System'' *2010: ''Big Yam'' *2010: ''Incidental'' (with Xhin) *2010: ''Black Ice / Circus of Life / Bang Me'' *2009: ''My Pet Gorilla / Tonto / Museum of Modern'' *2009: ''Judgement EP'' *2008: ''The Puzzle (Jerome Sydenham's Mighty Dub) / Congo'' (with Hideo Kobayashi)

Avocado EPs

*2010: ''Inside'' (with Rune RK) *2009: ''The Flight'' (with Rune RK) *2008: ''Peter Pan / Snow Bored'' (with Rune RK) *2007: ''Elephant'' (with Rune RK)

UK promotion EPs

*2010: ''Sting'' *2009: ''Feel It / I'm In / Benevolent Red'' (with Iroko and Club Lonely) *2009: ''Powerless / Deep Fried'' (with Ricky L) *2009: ''Ecoute! / Jor-El'' *2008: ''Darkroom / Sodom'' *2007: ''Blacktro (Demo 1) / Spiritual Insurrection'' (with Joe Claussell)

Other releases

*2011: ''Trombipolution Pt.2'', Drumcode *2010: ''Mutualism System'' (with Timo Garcia), Noir Music *2010: ''Trombipolution'', Drumcode *2010: ''Mi Estudio / Two Ninety One'' (with Pfirter and Function), CLR Records *2010: ''The Visitation / Rump / Cowboy / The Scavenger'', Drumcode

Selected remixes

*2010: Dance Disorder – ''Zusammen'',

BPitch Control Ellen Fraatz, known professionally as Ellen Allien, is a German electronic musician, music producer, and the founder of BPitch Control music label. Her album '' Stadtkind'' was dedicated to the city of Berlin, and she cites the culture of reun ...

*2010:

– ''The Red Room'', Objektivity *2010: Pig & Dan – ''Addiction'', Ground Factory Records *2010: Raiz – ''Keep Secret (Function, Jerome Sydenham Remixes)'', Droid Records *2010: Manuyell, Mr. Flavour – ''Clitter'', Full Flava Records *2010: Clara Sofie, Rune RK – ''Cry Out'', Arti Farti *2010: Morris T – ''Break of Dawn'', Rebirth *2009: Planetary Assault Systems – ''GT (Function & Jerome Sydenham Remix)'', Mote Evolver *2009:

Carl Craig Carl Craig (born May 22, 1969) is an American electronic music producer, DJ, and founder of the record label Planet E Communications. He is known as a leading figure and pioneer in the second wave of Detroit techno artists during the late 1980 ...

– ''Angel'',

Planet E Communications Planet E Communications is an independent electronic music recording label that started in 1991 in Detroit, Michigan. The label was founded by DJ/Producer Carl Craig. Planet E's first release was titled “Four Jazz Funk Classics,” which Craig re ...

*2009:

Adam Beyer Adam Beyer (born 15 May 1976 in Stockholm, Sweden) is a Swedish techno producer and DJ. He is the founder of Drumcode Records, and is one of several Swedish techno artists to emerge in the mid-1990s, along with Cari Lekebusch and Jesper Dahl ...

, Joel Mull – ''Forming Dies'', Drumcode *2008:

Ken Ishii is a Japanese DJ and record producer from Sapporo. He graduated from Hitotsubashi University. He has released work under his own name as well as under the pseudonyms: FLR, Flare, UTU, Yoga, and Rising Sun. Strongly influenced by Detroit techno ...

– ''Cubitos De Hielo'', 70 Drums *2007:

Faze Action Faze Action are a British dance music band, composed of brothers Simon and Robin Lee. Over the years, Faze Action blended house music with Western classical, pan-African, and Latin music. Its music is also heavily influenced by funk, disco, and ...

– ''In The Trees'', Juno Records *2007:

– ''That's The Way Love Is'', Ibadan Records *2007: Solaris Heights – ''Vice'',

Renaissance Records Renaissance Recordings is a British record label, founded by the club Renaissance in 1994. It went into administration in September 2010 and the back catalogue was sold to Phoenix Music International Ltd. After a year of inactivity, in July 20 ...

*2007: Len Faki – ''Rainbow Delta'',

Ostgut Ton Ostgut Ton (also known as Ostgut Tonträger) was a German record label owned by the club Berghain in Berlin. Resident Advisor described it "a dominant force in dance music, beloved for its mix series and dozens of EPs, albums and compilations."h ...

*2006: Julien Jabre – ''Swimming Places'',

Defected Records In politics, a defector is a person who gives up allegiance to one state in exchange for allegiance to another, changing sides in a way which is considered illegitimate by the first state. More broadly, defection involves abandoning a person, ca ...

*1999:

Beth Orton Elizabeth Caroline Orton (born 14 December 1970) is an English musician, known for her " folktronica" sound, which mixes elements of folk and electronica. She was initially recognised for her collaborations with William Orbit, Andrew Weather ...

– ''Central Reservation'' (with Joe Claussell), Arista Records *1998:

– ''Atmosphere'' *1998:

– ''Moving Cities'', F111 /

Warner Bros. Records Warner Records Inc. (formerly Warner Bros. Records Inc.) is an American record label. A subsidiary of the Warner Music Group, it is headquartered in Los Angeles, California. It was founded on March 19, 1958, as the recorded music division of the ...

*1993: Nature Soul – ''Latinize'', Ibadan Records

DJ mixes/ and compilations

*2008: ''Need 2 Soul'' with

Ron Trent Ronald "Ron" Trent (born May 23, 1973) is an American house music DJ and record producer. Music career After experimenting with beat machines and a small keyboard in 1986, he began recording the track "Altered States" while still in high school ...

, Need2Soul *2007: ''Pan-African Electro (Vol. 1)'', Ibadan Records *2007: ''Museum Thalia CD 1 mixed by Jerome Sydenham'', New World Records *2006: ''Space Lab Yellow – Jerome Sydenham Live Vol. 1'', Ibadan Records / P-Vine Records *2005: ''Ibadan People'', Ibadan Records *2003: ''Explosive Hi-Fidelity Sounds'', Ibadan Records / BBE *2002: ''Electric Pussycat'', BBE

References

External links

Discography at Discogs
{{DEFAULTSORT:Sydenham, Jerome 1967 births Living people Club DJs English techno musicians People from Ibadan English record producers Black British musicians Nigerian emigrants to the United Kingdom 21st-century Nigerian musicians Electronic dance music DJs Barely Breaking Even artists