Danny Howells

by Jo-Ann Greene
A phenomenally versatile DJ, Danny Howells is as renowned for his work in the studio as in the clubs. A masterful mixer with seven albums to his name, an equally noted remixer, and an innovative producer in his own right under the monikers Squelch and Science Deptartment, Danny Howells has stamped his own sound across the modern dance scene. Born in the small resort town of Hastings, on Englands southern coast, Howells played his first party at the end of the 80s in celebration of his hero Princes birthday. An avid record collector, after stepping behind the turntables, the DJ never looked back and he was soon spinning regularly around the local clubs.
In late 1991, a friend handed one of Howells mix tapes to Bedrock founder John Digweed, who immediately enlisted the young DJ for his own parties. Howells accompanied Bedrock first up the road to Brighton, then further north to the pleasant suburb of Seven Oaks, and finally in the late 90s, to the capital, where the Bedrock crew settled in at Heaven.
Meanwhile, Howells grew interested in producing his own tracks and eventually hooked up with a local Hastings electronics veteran Tim Cross.
Working out of Cross home studio, in 1995 the pair released the experimental, abstract techno single Darkhappy, under the name Squelch. They changed gears for the funky, hip-hop-flavored
Calmdown and shifted once again for Schmelch. The songs brought them to the attention of the Jackpot label, who quickly snapped up the DJs. In 1997, Squelchs final single, the driving Crash, became an instant danceclub hit. Unfortunately, Howells and Cross then had a falling out, and although they quickly patched up their friendship, their working relationship was at an end.
Still, 1997 was a great year for the DJ. Jackpot had bought up the seminal Guerilla labels back catalog and immediately handed the tracks to Howells to mix as the Jackpot Presents Guerilla album. The label also gave the DJ his first crack at remixing; he was paired with Rob Green, and the two set about working on React to Rhythms Intoxication. A headlining DJ tour followed. Suddenly Howells found himself with a new audience, and in the case of the Netherlands, a large and loyal fan base as well. The Dutch were quick to recognize the DJs unique capabilities, and in 1998, he signed with that nations ID&T label and began work on his debut mix album, Nightlife Report, Vol. 2.
As the new millennium dawned, Howells music littered the landscape. There were a clutch of remixes done in conjunction with Green and several on his own, including Robbie Williams South of the Border, Slides Confusional State, Astraxs Kafka, and his own personal favorite, BTs Dreaming, amongst many more. The DJ also mixed a collection of the UG labels tracks for the Danny Howells Presents UG album in 1999. As with the Guerilla album, he wasnt able to choose his songs, but for Nocturnal Frequencies, the first in a series of Howells mix albums of the same title, he could. Howells now began collaborating with Dick Trevor, initially on remixes, and the pair had a sizable hit with Moca/Morales Higher. For their own productions, the two took the moniker Science Department and their debut double A-sided single, 1999s Repercussion/Persuasion, was highly lauded by the press and club goers alike.
Howells adventurous yet subtle style — trancy but with a funky edge, featuring a playful mixture of retro and recent sounds, fattened with loops and samples — was receiving ever more acclaim. The DJ was fast becoming an international star, feted by clubs around the world. He took residencies at Renaissance in Nottingham, Ministry of Sound in London, Cream in Liverpool, Lush in Ireland, Bedrock, of course, and continued to spin regularly in the Netherlands. His turntable talents gained him a Top Ten placement in the British magazine DJ Mags 2000 readers poll.
Howells new mix album, Nocturnal Frequencies 2, also arrived that year and he continued working on remixes and Science Department productions. Later in 2000, the DJ made the difficult decision to finally leave Bedrock, feeling he needed both a change of scenery and a chance to become a bit more independent, for in a way, the club had become almost like a security blanket. He also departed from Ministry of Sound, but then took on a residency at New York Citys much vaunted Twilo club.
Science Department finished a new track, Breathe, which found a comfortable niche on Howells next mix album, the acclaimed Danny Howells — Nu Breed, part of a series of acclaimed offerings by the Global Underground label.