Step it up. That?s what you need to do if you want to stay ahead in this game. And that?s exactly what Four:Twenty have done. Running since 2001, the label has amassed an impressive roster, including Loco Dice, Buttrich, Hyper, Daniel Taylor, D Ramirez and of course, James Mowbray. The label is now taking up a gear and releasing its first label compilation ? not only to showcase the sound of the label itself (which is also where the DJ-friendly, unmixed eight-track bonus disc comes in), but to also showcase the music selection and forward-thinking mixing abilities of one of its main artists ? James Mowbray. Plus, to make it more interesting, they?ve also bought in street artist Dicy to design the package.

The label
Four:Twenty ? whether it?s house, electro or techno, the label?s philosophy is to release good quality electronic music: ?We’ve got a roster of fairly new artists, including James, so we thought, why not release our own Four:Twenty album? Push our ideas, have one of our guys mix the album, design the campaign and package it how we want. This is James? first compilation and ours as a label and we wanted it to be just right. The mix is similar to hearing him DJ in that A: it?s rocking and B: it?s full of variety. It?s certainly one of the more interesting compilations I?ve heard. And we’ve also included an unmixed bonus disc with some of the label?s finest moments, which will hopefully appeal to those that haven’t heard early Loco Dice, Buttrich, James and the rest.? ? Luke Allen, Four:Twenty Recordings..

The DJ/producer
DJing since he was 16 and producing for three years, James Mowbray got involved with Four:Twenty with D Ramirez, when the two sent some demos to the label. A&R liked what they heard and as Mowbray got off the plane in Ibiza he got a call saying they wanted to sign him. A year and a three-track deal later we have James mixing their first ever compilation. James also holds a monthly residency at Turnmills for Soundworx, where he will hold a London launch party on July 14th.

The mix
Some of dance music?s hottest current talent segued together so well you wonder if they ever should be apart. Tracks include exclusives from Buttrich (Loco Dice?s production partner ? will also be the accompanying single to the compilation out in August), Phonique, Jesse Rose, Drama Society, James Mowbray & D Ramirez, Mowbray & Sullivan, Tolfrey & Sylvester, Adultnapper and more. The mix was done live and in one take using Serato Scratch Live: ?The mix is 80 minutes of music that moves me and I feel passionate about, some of it new, some of it tracks that have played an important part in my DJ sets over the past 18 months. There’s no high concept or long months of post-production and edits that no-one will even notice. I wanted to let the tracks speak for themselves, so I recorded it completely live.? ? James Mowbray. The eight track unmixed bonus CD includes highlights from the label and exclusive releases from early Loco Dice, Buttrich, TG and Daniel Taylor.

The art
The artwork and packaging for this release is designed by Bristol spray-can artist Dicy. ?Dicy is an integral part of the Four:Twenty look, sound and feel ? this is a whole package, everything sounds and looks how we want it to.?

The Competition
To encourange other artists to get their work out there Four:Twenty are running a competition for an unknown artist to design the artwork for the next Four:Twenty release: Buttrich’s “Well Done” (first track on James’ mix).

To enter the artwork MUST be in 12″ by 12″ format and needs to be non digital – ie acryllic, spray paint, chalk, crayon, sketched (no potato prints or finger painting!!) – send a digital photograph to luke@fourtwentyrecordings.com. The winner/ runners up will then be contacted and would need to send the finished artwork to the label.

The winner’s design will be the front cover for 1000 limited edition 12s” of Buttrich’s “Well Done/Audiofeel” released August 28th which will feature a remix from a very special artist. The runners up designs will feature on the back.

The closing date for this is August 7th

Four:twenty presents:Music01 – mixed by James Mowbray released July 10 on Four:Twenty

London Launch party – July 14 @ Turnmills

TRACKLISTING:

1: Buttrich ?Well Done?
2: Tolfrey & Syvester ?Spinach Disko?
3: Phonique ?Prepared? (exclusive)
4: Adultnapper ?Factoring Your Lack of Cool?
5: Jesse Rose ?You?re All Love My Head?
6: Mowbray & Sullivan ?Monkey Nuts? (exclusive)
7: J Rod & Pat Nice feat Joe Good ?Peter Pan? (A Jackin? Phreak remix)
8: Tatoorecs.com ?Tatoo nr Three (The Wooly Bully)?
9: TG ?You Aint Got Time To Think?
10: Dapayk Solo ?Salieri?
11: Drama Society ?Crescendo?
12: Linus Loves ?Night Music? (Dirt Crew remix)
13: Bolls ?Lovelotion?
14: 2 Dawgs ?It?s A Dawg?s Life? (Jori Hulkkonen remix)
15: Marcus Worgull ?Dragon Loop?

UNMIXED BONUS DISK TRACKLISTING:

1: Buttrich ?Meeting Dave Dish?
2: Loco Dice ?City Lights?
3: B-Pole ?The Long Con?
4: Daniel Taylor ?Mord? (Loco Dice remix)
5: TG ?System of Wires? (TG?s edit)
6: James Mowbray & D Ramirez ?I Choose Anger? (H- Man remix)
7: Hyper ?Come With Me? (Daniel Taylor remix)
8: Loco Dice ?Cellar Door?

James Mowbray Tour dates:

June 9th – Le Noir, Sheffield
June 10th – Suzuka, Lincoln tbc
June 16th – Soundworx, The Gallery, London
June 23rd – Club Prive, Tallinn, Estonia
June 24th – Illusion, Tartu, Estonia
June 30th – Electro-luxe, Nottingham tbc
July 1st – Suzuka, Lincoln tbc
July 14th – Soundworx, The Gallery, London LAUNCH PARTY
July 15th – Sun Dance Festival tbc
July 21st – Enar Party tbc
August 4th – Inigo Bar, Clapham
August 5th – Shivoo, Leicester
August 11th – Soundworx, The Gallery, London
August 25th – Club Prive, Tallinn, Estonia
August 26th – Illusion, Tartu, Estonia