A chameleonic presence in British electronic music, Mark Pritchard is as restless as he is prolific. His vast discography spans three decades, connecting Midwest futurism, UK hardcore with global rhythms from Africa to Brazil. Highlights include the techno of ‘Peschi’ (Reload) and ‘Amenity’ (Link), D&B precision of ‘Links’ (The Chameleon) and ambient techno vistas of 76:14 (Global Communication).
Raised in England, Pritchard began DJing in his teens as rave, hip-hop and techno collided in clubs and free parties across the UK. Inspired by this, he began to launch a series of aliases from Shaft’s zany hardcore, Reload’s techno to D&B on Droppin’ Science and ragga-footwork as Africa Hitech with Steve Spacek. Solo highlights include Detroit-inspired Harmonic 313, funky broken beat as Troubleman and ‘Elephant Dub’ for Mala's Deep Medi Musik. Collaborations include Harmonic 33 (with Dave Brinkworth), breakbeat science as Vertigo (with Danny Breaks), Pulusha (with Kirsty Hawkshaw).
His partnership with Tom Middleton birthed Jedi Knights, Link & E621 and Global Communication with albums like 76:14 and Blood Music: Pentamerous Metamorphosis. After retiring his aliases in 2013, Pritchard began releasing under his birth name, gifting Warp with albums Under The Sun and The Four Worlds. From the white heat of the dancefloor to the cooler climes of ambient and dub, Pritchard’s slippery discography continues to glow in the dark, a monument hiding in plain sight. – Chal Ravens (2024)
