Jerome Sydenham (born 1967,

Ibadan Ibadan (, ; ) is the Capital city, capital and most populous city of Oyo State, in Nigeria. It is the List of Nigerian cities by population, third-largest city by population in Nigeria after Lagos and Kano (city), Kano, with a total populatio ...

, Nigeria) is an

electronic music Electronic music broadly is a group of music genres that employ electronic musical instruments, circuitry-based music technology and software, or general-purpose electronics (such as personal computers) in its creation. It includes both music ...

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 c ...

and

techno Techno is a genre of electronic dance music (EDM) which is generally produced for use in a continuous DJ set, with tempos being in the range from 120 to 150 beats per minute (bpm). The central rhythm is typically in common time ( ) and often ...

genres. Born and raised in Ibadan, Nigeria, he 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 the Capital of Germany, capital and largest city of Germany, by both area and List of cities in Germany by population, population. With 3.7 million inhabitants, it has the List of cities in the European Union by population withi ...

, Germany running a stable of record labels including

Ibadan Records Jerome Sydenham (born 1967, Ibadan, Nigeria) is an electronic music producer, DJ and multi-record label owner known for establishing a pan-African electro direction within the house and techno genres. Born and raised in Ibadan, Nigeria, he was ...

as well as actively touring as a DJ and producing music. Following a recording career, he 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 New York City. History After its creation in 1955 by Atlantic Records, the label had its first hit wit ...

, owned by

Warner Music Group Warner Music Group Corp., commonly abbreviated as WMG, is an American Multinational corporation, multinational entertainment and record label Conglomerate (company), conglomerate headquartered in New York City. It is one of the "Record label#M ...

, 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 Wayne Watford (July 20, 1959 – January 26, 2024) was an American dance music singer, who was born in Virginia and raised in New Jersey. He was best known for his gospel-influenced vocals on house records throughout the 1990s and 2000s. ...

. 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 an American house 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 international hit in 2001. ...

Murk Murk may refer to: * Murk (band), a Cuban-American house-music duo ** ''Murk'' (album), its 2004 self-titled release * ''Murk'' (film) (Danish title: ''Mørke''), a 2005 Danish thriller by Jannik Johansen and Anders Thomas Jensen * Murk, a min ...

and Pal Joey. It was there where he also met

Kerri Chandler Kerri Camar Chandler (born September 28, 1969) is an American DJ and record producer. He has been dubbed a pioneer within house music, a genre in which he has an "eclectic brand". Biography Chandler's influences go back to New Jersey, growing up ...

, 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 Loui ...

and Joe Claussell.

A&R achievements

He 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 disks, and a string looped around the axle, similar to a spool. It is an ancient toy with proof of existence since 440 BC. The yo-yo was also called a bandalore in th ...

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

Ice Cube O'Shea Jackson Sr. (born June 15, 1969), known professionally as Ice Cube, is an American rapper, songwriter, actor, and film producer. His lyrics on N.W.A's 1989 album '' Straight Outta Compton'' contributed to gangsta rap's widespread popu ...

(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 singl ...

– "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, and Maulkie. History The group made its debut on Ice Cube's first solo album, '' AmeriKKK ...

– ''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 Vernon Jeffrey Smith. Early career ''Chain'' brought them their international h ...

– ''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 them ...

– "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 an English soul music, soul and pop band formed in Manchester in 1985. Band leader, singer and songwriter Mick Hucknall was the only original member left by the time Simply Red initially disbanded in 2010. They have released thir ...

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

Snow Snow consists of individual ice crystals that grow while suspended in the atmosphere—usually within clouds—and then fall, accumulating on the ground where they undergo further changes. It consists of frozen crystalline water througho ...

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

– ''Dead Serious'' (album) (1992)

Label management

In 1995 Sydenham founded Ibadan Records in

New York City New York, often called New York City (NYC), is the most populous city in the United States, located at the southern tip of New York State on one of the world's largest natural harbors. The city comprises five boroughs, each coextensive w ...

, though it is now run out of

Germany Germany, officially the Federal Republic of Germany, is a country in Central Europe. It lies between the Baltic Sea and the North Sea to the north and the Alps to the south. Its sixteen States of Germany, constituent states have a total popu ...

. The label celebrated its 15-year anniversary in 2010 Says Jerome Sydenham, "There isn't really an Ibadan sound. Ibadan has a principle to make high quality music which covers all areas of electronic music, acoustic dance music, ultimately

jazz funk Jazz-funk is a subgenre of jazz music characterized by a strong back beat, electrified sounds, and analog synthesizers. The integration of funk, soul, and R&B music and styles into jazz resulted in the creation of a genre that ranges from pur ...

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 ...

and maybe even

hip hop Hip-hop or hip hop (originally disco rap) is a popular music genre that emerged in the early 1970s from the African-American community of New York City. The style is characterized by its synthesis of a wide range of musical techniques. Hip- ...

and R&B". Jerome Sydenham and his label, Ibadan Records, managed together with Christine Pedersen, is principal to several labels including: *Apotek Records *Avocado 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: Various - ''Ibadan - Animal Social Club'' * 2012: Argy - ''Fundamentals'' *2012: ''White Light (Remixes)'' (vs Function) *2012: ''I Adventure'' (with No Mad Ronin) *2011: ''Natural Spray'' (with Aschka) *2012: Various - ''Ibadan - Animal Social Club'' * 2012: Argy - ''Fundamentals'' * 2011: Various - ''Ibadan - Beginnings Revisited' (Vol 1.)'' * 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: Various - ''Ibadan - Deep Strokes (Vol 2.)'' * 2008: Various - ''Ibadan - Deep Strokes (Vol 1.)'' * 2008: Various - ''Ibadan - Pan African Electro (Vol 2.)'' * 2008: Various - ''Ibadan - Pan African Electro (Vol 1.)'' * 2008: Various - ''Ibadan - Afrotonic'' *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) *2006: Various ''Electric Pussycat starring Jerome Sydenham as Casino J'' * 2006: Various - ''Underground Dance Music Vol. 1'' * 2005: Various - ''Explosive Hi Fidelity Sounds DJ Mix by Jerome Sydenham'' *2005: ''Stockholm – Go Bang!'' (with Mikael Nordgren) *2005: ''Candela'' (with

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

) *2004: Slam Mode - ''Signals'' * 2004: ''Various - Space Lab Yellow (Phase 4) compiled by Jerome Sydenham and Ryo Watanabe'' * 2003: Various - ''Ibadan People DJ Mix by Jerome Sydenham'' * 2003: Various - ''Space Lab Yellow (Phase 3) compiled by Jerome Sydenham and Ryo Watanabe'' * 2002: Vince Watson - ''Moments in Time'' * 2002: Various - ''Space Lab Yellow (Phase 2) compiled by Jerome Sydenham and Ryo Watanabe'' * 2001: Various - ''Space Lab Yellow (Phase 1) compiled by Jerome Sydenham and Ryo Watanabe'' * 2001: Various - ''Ibadan - Saturday'' * 2001: Ten City - ''The Best Of'' *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 Berlin-based 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 cu ...

*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. History Planet E's first release was titled "4 Jazz Funk Classics," which Craig ...

*2009:

Adam Beyer Adam Thomas Beyer (born 15 May 1976 in Stockholm, Sweden) is a Swedish electronic dance music producer and DJ. Originally starting his musical journey in the techno scene, over the last decade he has made a gradual shift playing everything betw ...

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

Ken Ishii is a Japanese Disc jockey, 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. Ishii had his first relea ...

– ''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'',

*2007: Solaris Heights – ''Vice'',

Renaissance Records Renaissance Music (formerly called Renaissance Recordings) is a British record label and live events promotion company, founded by the club Renaissance in 1994. It went into administration in September 2010 and the back catalogue was sold to P ...

*2007: Len Faki – ''Rainbow Delta'',

Ostgut Ton Ostgut Ton (also known as Ostgut Tonträger) is 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." T ...

*2006:

Julien Jabre Julien Jabre (born November 1976) is a French-Lebanese electronic music composer, producer, and audio engineer. Specializing in house music, he is associated with the French house. Biography During the mid-'90s, three French house music pioneer ...

– ''Swimming Places'',

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 ...

*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 Weatherall ...

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

– ''Atmosphere'' *1998:

– ''Moving Cities'', F111 /

Warner Bros. Records Warner Records Inc. (known as Warner Bros. Records Inc. until 2019) is an American record label. A subsidiary of Warner Music Group, it is headquartered in Los Angeles, California. It was founded on March 19, 1958, as the recorded music division ...

*1993: Nature Soul – ''Latinize'',

DJ mixes/ and compilations

*2008: ''Need 2 Soul'' 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 ...

, Need2Soul *2007: ''Pan-African Electro (Vol. 1)'',

*2007: ''Museum Thalia CD 1 mixed by Jerome Sydenham'', New World Records *2006: ''Space Lab Yellow – Jerome Sydenham Live Vol. 1'',

/ P-Vine Records *2005: ''Ibadan People'',

*2003: ''Explosive Hi-Fidelity Sounds'',

/ BBE *2002: ''Electric Pussycat'', BBE

References

External links

Discography at Discogs
{{DEFAULTSORT:Sydenham, Jerome 1967 births Living people English 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