Santos (IT)

Biography

Born in Frosinone (Ciociaria) in 1971 Santos benefited from the strong creativity of those early disco years. He’s grateful to have grown up in a cosy family environment warmed up by the notes of the Discofever. In 1976 he discovered his first musical inspiration Giorgio Moroder. All his birthday presents had to be records upon records, and so his deep knowledge of contemporary electronic music started. Fascinated by the Chicago House Music, Santos decided to produce a track in his own bedroom and he bought his first electronic keyboard. In 1994 Santos made his first record. In ‘95 Santos was approached by Mantra Vibes a record-label of Expanded music, for the track SANTOS “THE PIANO” later on it was the turn of project SANTOS & SABINO with the song “LARARARI” (canzone felice) which went really well. With his innovating and strong mentality Santos along with Mantra Vibes A&R Marco “PeeDoo” Gallerani created a new sound, named “Shakadelism“. Supported by english Djs as Pete Tong, Steve Lamacq, Annie Nightingale and Judge Jules from BBC Radio 1, Basement Jaxx and Ashley Beadle, the single “Camels” scored the UK top 10, and on june 18th 2001 the first album “R U SHAKADELIC?” was released; the World recognized that THE SHAKADELIC SOUND had DEFINITELY ARRIVED.

The “Helsinki EP” was the first one which includes Spanish flavourred track “Ke Dolor” which also became a single supported immediately by Judge Jules from BBC radio1 and contained the remix by german Jan Driver and the one from Chill-out danish producers Banzai Republic; second was the “Bruxelles EP” and third the well acclaimed “Pandemonio EP” from the monthly night residency at the Maffia Club in Italy which included the astonishing track “Sabot“, the “Tortuga Tool” and “No Ticket No Run” included in the Perfecto Breaks compiled by Lee Coombs. 2003 has also seen the born of Mantra Breaks, a Mantra Vibes dept. dedicated to breaks where Santos has released his first breakbeat ep called ‘Another Planet ep‘ with the tracks ‘I Just Cannot Come Back From The Space‘ (nr. #1 in the most important italian underground radio shows), ‘70 Sensation‘ (released in july on MOB records), ‘U Make Me Rock‘ and the single ‘Sabot’ remixed by Drummatic Twins.

All this has brought Santos to be one of the most requested remixer of the moment. Santos reached number 1 in the Dance German Chart with the remix project of Armand Van Helden’s ‘Funk Phenomena’ and almost scored the same result with the remix of Boogie Pimps ‘Somebody To Love’ which was also included in the first Mantra Breaks compilation titled ‘Agatha - Rock’n'Roll mixed live by Lai & Petitti’ (in collaboration with Rome Club night Agatha). What’s coming up later? ‘Too Fast‘ record with a special remix by Meat Katie & Elite Force just in the shops now, the most important thing in 2004 (apart the Santos participation at the Fuji Rock Festival in Japan - first Italian producer to be invited ever) was for sure the second album titled ‘Abrasive‘, released exclusively in June for Japan and out worldwide from the 20th of September.

2005 opened with a tour in Japan and the release of ‘Shakadelic Upgrade‘ a selection compiled by Santos only for the Japanese market. February brought the exhibition at the Breakspoll Awards in London with labelmate Madox; together then out in spring with project Touble Soup!!. After the single ‘Tzumbae‘ with a special remix from Superchumbo which rocked the dancefloor all over the world Santos is now busy touring UK, China and of course Italy. In Santos’ future there’s definitely lots to do… after the ‘Ultimate Mantra Breaks‘ compilation for Australia released in July, there’s the new single ‘Pump It Up!‘ with a dub remix from Timo Maas. The second release with a ‘Pump It Up!’ Timo Maas Vocal Remix and a new track titled ‘Great Stuff‘ and most of all… the new album ‘Home Sweet Home‘ due now.