Photek

Originally issued in September 2000, 'Solaris' consolidated Rupert Parkes' role as an unmistakable force within the realm of underground dance, wrong-footing some of his audience by moving on from the mathematical drum and bass of his debut, 'Modus Operandi'.

'Modus Operandi' had been released in 1997 and was both a critical and commercial success, underlining Photek as something of a shadowy leading figure in the world of drum and bass, after his apprenticeship in the preceding years with Metalheadz. 'Solaris', appearing three years later was eagerly anticipated; it found Photek playing with form and genre. Glamorama, with its heavily echoed treatment of artist Marie-Jos Jongerius' voice sounds not unlike something from David Byrne and Brian Eno's classic cutups of 'My Life In The Bush of Ghosts'. Where Solaris departs from its predecessor is the beautiful deep house of ‘Mine To Give’ and ‘Can't Come Down’ both featuring Chicago legend Robert Owens on vocals that added heart to Photek's techno soul. However, as if to silence his critics, the relentless eight-and-a half minutes of Infinity showed that few could push the boundaries of drum and bass as could Photek.