Chris' “sound” is actually difficult to describe, but some have called
it “dark soul” music - dark atmospheres fused with soulful rhythms. His
music pushes simplified genre labels in order to avoid the constraints
associated with pre-conceived definitions. When his music is smooth, it’s
oh so very smooth. It slides against the skin like silk until it settles,
blending in and becoming a soothing second skin. It’s hypnotic and seductive.
And classing it as chill-out or come-down music is selling it well short.
And when he wants to play rough…the beats get downright nasty without
ever being heavy handed or in your face.
On-line radio stations Tranzfusion, Eccentric Beats and Pulse have provided
brilliant support to pre-release singles – as have numerous others. Their
support has resulted in Chris securing high-profile on-line residency
with Pulse.
You never quite know what to expect when a Chris Hale track starts. The
instrumentation he deploys gives each track its own unique texture, flavour
and mood. Add a mix of beats and FX and the effect can be lush, as skilful
as a Geisha, as sharp as a Kissaki, as precise as Kanji or as hard and
swift as a Kendo kick. The end result is one of aural perfection.
Chris is just as comfortable throwing acid jazz (‘Getting Jazzy’ ‘Kaco’
and ‘Together’) and ethnic samples (try the French and Japanese samples
in ‘Step up’ for size) into his breaks. If you ask him, Chris simply makes
the type of music he likes to dance to in dark, smoke and sweat-filled
subterranean clubs.
Chris has a knack for marrying strong breakbeats with oh so smooth lyrical
instrumentation. Tracks like the almost ambient house track ‘Hold Up’
and the dubbed out house sounds of ‘My Eyes Hurt’ are perfect examples
of this. The title track, ‘Day and night’ is utter inventive brilliance-
mixing 1930’s style music with pure urban breaks. While ‘Slow and Low’,
‘Beautiful Moon’ and ‘Greatest gift’ are indulgence-free tracks of introspection.
|
|
An admirable trait with the Japanese dance scene is the secret of knowing
exactly what sounds are out there on the wider scene without ever being
controlled or dominated by them. The Japanese have always been happy to
go their own way while being plugged into global scenes. So perhaps it’s
no accident that Chris chose to live there, expanding his horizons all
the while. His tracks have discipline without rigidity with a natural
form and function. It’s a very Japanese thing. And what sounds so simple
and effortless hides a master of the craft.
About Chris Hale
Chris Hale was born and raised in L.A. California, and is currently based in Tokyo, Japan where he is an active DJ and producer. His tracks have dominated such global charts as Acid Planet, Broad Jam, and Sound Click. Chris' tracks regularly top the house, tribal house, progressive house, and Detroit charts for weeks to months at a time. His music also gets regular play by club and radio DJ's around the world as well as on underground radio. Chris DJ's at clubs throughout Tokyo, and is the resident DJ at the monthly "Worship" party. He is a veteran re-mixer, most recently mixing tracks for Bitstream Dream (Om, Bedrock).
Since moving to Tokyo 6 years ago, and delving deep into the scene there, his sound has definitely expanded and grown, both as a producer and DJ. Tokyo has an amazingly vibrant underground scene that easily rivals any in the world. People go to clubs to lose themselves in the sound and to connect with people in ways that are socially forbidden in the light of day. It is in the sanctuary of darkness and deafening sound where people are free. When producing his EP "Dancers in the Womb", Chris tried to re-create this energy he felt on the floor (while at a Tokyo club, not coincidentally called, "Womb"). It is this incredible scene that has most influenced his "sound".
|
|
 Additional Information
 Chris Hale
|
