Tom Middleton
Real Name:
Thomas Middleton
Profile:
Pioneering Electronic Composer, Producer, Sound Designer, DJ, Remixer, Music Director, Music Curator, Compiler and appointed Sound Architect for Yotel NYC.
A Consultant and Tech Expert in the areas of Computer Music, Hardware and Software and DJ Equipment who's opinion is sought in the design and development of new products. Headphones and in ear monitors are a particular area of interest and expertise.
Involved in many major brand and product launch initiatives in DJ, Remixer, Curator, and Music Director roles.
Currently records as Tom Middleton. Previously under the names Cosmos, Amba, The Mod Wheel, E621, Lovelife, The Rebus Project and Schizophrenia.
History
A classically-trained pianist and cellist from Cornwall, he met Richard D James (The Aphex Twin) in 1989. Learned the science of sound sampling and synth programming by observing Richard in the studio. This friendship lead to Tom co-producing a track for the 'Analogue Bubblebath' EP as Schizophrenia, which has now reached cult status. Tom introduced Richard to Mighty Force Records and helped broker the record deal for the EP.
After graduating in Graphic Design in 1991, Tom met Mark Pritchard, a Producer/DJ with similar musical tastes. The pair set up the Evolution Records imprint (which later became Universal Language Productions Ltd and the final incarnation as E3.)
They recorded under an number pseudonyms, from Reload (Techno and IDM), Global Communication (Electronica and Ambient) - notably developing the principal of integrating pure emotions in sound, Secret Ingredients (Deep House), and one of the most popular projects; Jedi Knights (Electro Boogie, P-Funk, Breakbeats, House), whose album 'New School Science' notably inspired the likes of The Prodigy (who sampled Jedi Knights 'Air Drums From Outer Bongolia' for their track 'Climbatize') and The Chemical Brothers to Daft Punk, The Freestylers and Adam Freeland.
Tom hosted a weekly Radio show on Kiss FM, tutored the winning aspiring DJ Ryan Shaw on ITV's Joy Of Decks TV show and has curated events and Festival spaces including Sound Of The Cosmos at The Big Chill 2011.
A Consultant and Tech Expert in the areas of Computer Music, Hardware and Software and DJ Equipment who's opinion is sought in the design and development of new products. Headphones and in ear monitors are a particular area of interest and expertise.
Involved in many major brand and product launch initiatives in DJ, Remixer, Curator, and Music Director roles.
Currently records as Tom Middleton. Previously under the names Cosmos, Amba, The Mod Wheel, E621, Lovelife, The Rebus Project and Schizophrenia.
History
A classically-trained pianist and cellist from Cornwall, he met Richard D James (The Aphex Twin) in 1989. Learned the science of sound sampling and synth programming by observing Richard in the studio. This friendship lead to Tom co-producing a track for the 'Analogue Bubblebath' EP as Schizophrenia, which has now reached cult status. Tom introduced Richard to Mighty Force Records and helped broker the record deal for the EP.
After graduating in Graphic Design in 1991, Tom met Mark Pritchard, a Producer/DJ with similar musical tastes. The pair set up the Evolution Records imprint (which later became Universal Language Productions Ltd and the final incarnation as E3.)
They recorded under an number pseudonyms, from Reload (Techno and IDM), Global Communication (Electronica and Ambient) - notably developing the principal of integrating pure emotions in sound, Secret Ingredients (Deep House), and one of the most popular projects; Jedi Knights (Electro Boogie, P-Funk, Breakbeats, House), whose album 'New School Science' notably inspired the likes of The Prodigy (who sampled Jedi Knights 'Air Drums From Outer Bongolia' for their track 'Climbatize') and The Chemical Brothers to Daft Punk, The Freestylers and Adam Freeland.
Tom hosted a weekly Radio show on Kiss FM, tutored the winning aspiring DJ Ryan Shaw on ITV's Joy Of Decks TV show and has curated events and Festival spaces including Sound Of The Cosmos at The Big Chill 2011.
Sites:
Aliases:
In Groups:
Chameleon,
Cosmic Fury,
Global Communication,
Jedi Knights,
Link & E621,
PTB,
Reload,
Robortom,
Secret Ingredients,
Three No Fillings
Variations:
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Tom Middleton
Middleton | T. Middleton | T.Middleton | TM | Tom | Tom 'The Jedi' Middleton | Tom Midleton | Tom-Ac | Tom-Ac (Reload)
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Reviews & Discussion
Tom Middleton is royalty! The AFX relation should be enough evidence. To me, Tom Middleton's music is a very well constructed bridge from the abstracted,forward style of electronica(be it older electronica nowadays) to the more accessible dance music. I dont particularly dig a generic club track that drones on without purpose, but I also don't like pure abstracted sludge either. Mr Middleton's hybrid styled tracks make it easier to enjoy music that could be played on the dancefloor as well as anywhere else. His ability to transform into many different styles of electronica is what makes him even better than the average producre/dj. We need more people like him to keep everything in check.
I think that Tom Middleton doesn't get as much recognition as other genre-based DJ is because he ISN'T a genre-based DJ. It seems that most club goers have certain sounds that they like and certain that they dislike and are very specific about these (EG: I love breakbeat house and progressive trance but jungle and detroit techno make me want to retch). Since Mr. Middleton seems to break a lot of boundaries and change his style of output so frequently, he kind of prevents himself from being able to obtain a genre-based following.
How come after all these years he is not looked up at the same way say, Eric Morillo is? Few artists from the "scene" manage to be accomplished DJs AND essantial producers. Tom is both, having released some of the most wonderful music ever made (I mean it...), and being and challenging DJ. His mixed CDs are real ear-openers, which does not happen a lot these days. Sublime productions and excellent compilations all the way long, so why not more recognition? After all, the best secrets are the hidden ones, so...
Tom Middleton has been a musical influence for me ever since I hear his "A Jedi's Night Out" mix disc. Every single record this man releases is a wonderful combination of inspired production, wonderful melody, and that bit of eccentric soul that makes a Middleton song unique. I have recommended "The Sound of the Cosmos" to every single person I know, whether they're an electronic music fan or not. This man is an inspiration to me, and I hope he keeps it up for a long time.
That early collaboration with Aphex Twin has proven to be the spark of an incredible career in Dance-related musics, and right now, I think he has pipped AFX to the post in acheiving a sort of "god" status.
The Jedi has remained accessible to my mum and missus just as much as he has,countless times, provided the soundtrack to my messy club/indoor-lounge-stoner nights since I was a kid.
Right now I am listening to his latest "Renaissance 3D" CD's and am getting flashbacks to the "Sound of the Cosmos" release on Hooj Choons (from 2002 I think)... He's kept his ID through turbulent times in dance music, and still maintains his credence...
This is GOD - a DJ and Producer