
A fixture on the UK jungle scene since the early nineties, Photek a.k.a. Rupert Parkes is best known for his role in developing the "intelligent" Drum & Bass genre. Over the course of his career as Photek, Parkes has developed a sound that is simultaneously individual, innovative and accessible, earning him much respect and popularity amongst critics and music fans alike. The strength of the sound finds foundation in Photek's incredibly detailed drum programming, which is then augmented by his sophisticated sense for combining abstract sounds with jazz and classic techno influences.
Recently Parkes has been more and more active in producing music for film, having worked on a number of scoring projects for upcoming features from his new home base in Los Angeles.
(Read more at Last FM.)
Links to Peel[]
Photek - ni ten ichi ryu
After playing works Rupert Parkes released under the names Studio Pressure and Code Of Practice in the mid-90s, Peel continued to give airtime to the D&B producer as Photek after his signing by Virgin for a five-album deal with its Science imprint.
In 2023, “Ni Ten Ichi Ryu”, the second Photek single on Science, was among the selections of Joe Goddard (of Hot Chip) from Peel’s record collection for the BBC Radio 6 Music show The Collection (Peel Acres). Presenter Tom Ravenscroft also picked the record as the one from the show that he would investigate further. The track was first played by his father, John Peel, in 1997.
Festive Fifty Entries[]
- None
Sessions[]
- None
Other Shows Played[]
- Photek
- 19 February 1997: Ni Ten Ichi Ryu (Two Swords Technique) (12 inch) Science (...although John claims it is on Virgin. He says that the band are long overdue for a session, but this never came about.)
- 08 April 1997: Terminus (12” EP) white label
- 23 March 2000 (meets The Scratch Perverts): The Water Margin (CD-Tektonics) Om
- 28 June 2000: Terminus (12” EP) white label
- 24 August 2004: Baltimore (in 1Xtra's DJ Bailey in the Mix with MC SP)
- Studio Pressure
- 19 August 1994: Test 1 (12" - Jump MK II) Certificate 18
- 27 August 1994 (BFBS): Test 1 (12" - Jump MK II) Certificate 18 CERT1804
- 07 October 1994: Presha III (12”: Relics) Certificate 18
- 28 October 1994: Presha III (12" - Relics) Certificate 18
- 29 October 1994 (BFBS): Presha III (12") Certificate 18
- Computer Music 1993-1996: The Physical (12 inch - The Physical / Touching Down ... Planet Photek) Photek
- 30 December 1994: Touching Down (12 inch - The Physical / Touching Down ... Planet Photek) Photek
- 17 February 1995: Touching Down...Planet Photek (12 inch) Photek
- September 1996 (FSK): Relics (Remixes) (12") Certificate 18
- 10 April 1997: Jump MKII (Various Artists LP - Hidden Rooms) Certificate 18
- Code Of Practice
- 28 April 1995: Infiltrate (12 inch) Certificate 18
- 06 May 1995 (BFBS): Infiltrate (12 inch) Certificate 18
- 02 June 1995: Can We Change The Future (12 inch – Infiltrate) Certificate 18
- 16 June 1995: Can We Change The Future (Dub Plate Mix) (12") Certificate 18
- 01 July 1995 (BFBS): Can We Change The Future (Dub Plate Mix) (12") Certificate 18
- 27 October 1995: Can We Change the Future (Sounds Of Life Remix) (12") Certificate 18
- 28 October 1995: Can We Change The Future (Sounds Of Life Remix) (12" - Can We Change The Future Remixes) Certificate 18
- 17 November 1995: Can We Change The Future (Klute Remix) (12") Certificate 18
See Also[]
External Links[]