Harvey - London Xpress

As promised (& requested!), the third part of the London Xpress CD, a laid back electronic mix by DJ Harvey.

Harvey's long involvement in and love of music began at the tender age of 13 when he and two older friends formed a new wave band called 'Ersatz' (Cheap Substitute) who recorded their first track in 1978. By 1981 he had moved on to a new band imaginatively titled 'Your Dinner' which harvey describes as having a madness vibe with more satirical lyrics! He also at this time set up a label called 'Leisure Sounds' to release their material as well as offerings from the other aspiring bands they were collaborating.

This early involvement with music burgeoned through his love of drums into experimenting with breakbeats and tired & disillusioned with the live music scene, he began to himself in his growing collection of old Disco and Hip-Hop.

His first major break as a D.J. came with his sets at 'Wet' where he played alongside Breeze and Ian B (Eon). It was a mixed club that allowed them to experiment with the crowd by combining a wide variety of musical styles as well as slipping in the odd bit of poetry!

By the mid 80's Harvey teamed up with some friend from Cambridge to form the legendary 'Tonka' Sound System. From their early warehouse parties to the infamous monthly monday night jams at the Zap in Brighton. Harvey, Choci & Rev treated Tonka's huge following to a rare blend of Hip-Hop, Reggae, Electro, Classics and smatterings of House in the latter days.

House music was now an integral part of Harvey's set and more D.J's were supporting this exciting new phenomenon. Harvey found himself at numerous warehouse parties including the notorious 'Freedom' events alongside the likes of Paul 'Trouble' Anderson, Norman Jay, Judge Jules and Danny Rampling. The parties created headline news, flying revellers to Amsterdam for mad weekends and taking over huge warehouses for parties that would carry on well into the next day. It was at this time that the organizer of these parties , Kevin Simpson became good friends with Harvey, and when Freedom came to and end they would go on to have a fruitful relationship with future projects.

1 Plaid - Ralome (4:28)
2 Addvibe - Love & Happiness (3:14)
3 Forme - Morfe (3:18)
4 ADNY - Tell Me (4:58)
5 The Amalgamation Of Soundz - Salsin (6:07)

Harvey - London Xpress

DJ Harvey Biog

Harvey Sarcastic Disco

DJ Harvey/Moist Top 51 @ the excellent DJ History

Some very expensive 12"s by Harvey on Froogle