FEATURED ARTICLE – RUFF GUIDANCE RECORDINGS

You have probably never heard of Ruff Guidance Recordings, but I am sure you will be familiar with the music. Mel Tanur, 24, the man behind Ruff Guidance, has taken an active part in the music industry for the past seven years. Starting out as a rap lyricist in 1985, he progressed with former partner Matt Edwards (now Nu-Matic) into making the kind of music that dominates our radios today.

M “We wanted to do an E.P. which contained hip-hop, techno and dance music, to break the existing limits of the music that was being made at that time. Bpm’s shot up in level’s which other people just weren’t doing, we didn’t make anything under 125bpm”.

With the launch of Break The Limits in the late summer of 1990, they established a name for themselves as one of the original hard-core acts. Some 10 E.P.’s later, their hard work paid off, and in December 1991 they were signed to XL Recordings. Unfortunately this didn’t quite work out as Mel had envisioned it, thus causing Mel and Matt to split.

M “XL released the Hard Times E.P. many many weeks later in February 1992, and by that time the tune had fizzled out. As far as I am concerned they made a mess of it. To tell you the truth I didn’t really get on with the people there, all those record company people really don’t appeal to me”.

Leaving the prospect of fame and fortune behind, Mel started up his own company. April 1992 saw his first solo release, simply enetitled “The Ruff Guidance” E.P. The second E.P. (Bay-B-Kane) caused quite a sensation on the hard-core scene, generating interest from DJ Micky Finn, who has included a track from the E.P. on Groove Connections soon to be released compilation/mega mix. Now, with the third E.P. underway, Ruff Guidance’s present venture comes as a bit of a surprise. Released on the 28th Septmeber, the “Icon” E.P. is not only a six tracker, but also includes some unusual elements.

M “I realise I may be taking a risk with this as it is an alternative dance E.P., though it still has that rough jungle feel to it. I have even included some Bolivian Hari-Krishna samples. I think that it is fair to say it’s certainly different’.

So, with all this going on and a soon to be released E.P. which he co-produced with DJ Token Pace on the Face The Bass label as well as current negotiations with none other than Reinforced Records, I can certainly see Mel Tanur being involved in the music biz for the next seven years.

Written by Natasha Donovan

ADVERTS

• Rave In A Movie – 1000 extras required
• Sunday Dipped at The Soundshaft
• Pyramid Promotions presents Innersense @ Lazerdrome
• Exodos presents Escape To Forever @ Kings Lynn Speedway Stadium
• Stage One Distribution
• Destiny @ Jenkins Lane
• Vinyl Mania Records
• Hardcore Zone @ Wax City Records
• Fascination @ The Warehouse, 10th October 1992
• Raving Mad Designz for Dance Crazy People (Pure Clothing Co.)

RAVE LISTINGS

• Passion Friday 30th October. The Event. Brighton
• Fantazia Friday 27th November. Bath and West Showground, Shepton-Mallet
• The Edge Friday 16th October. The Tasco Warehouse. 138 – 140 Nathan Way Plumstead
• Knowledge All Nighter Wednesday 28th October. SW 1 Club. London. SW1
• Living Dream Saturday LOth October. Roller Express, Lea Valley Trading Estate Edmonton, N18
• Pirate Club And Delirium Saturday 3rd October. Roller Express. Lea Valley Trading Estate. Edmonton. London N18
• Double Dipped The Birthday Party (Ravescene) Saturday 17th October. Four Aces, 12 Dalston Lane, Hackney, E8
• Destiny Saturday 1Oth October. Jenkins Lane, Barking, Essex.
• As New Creation (Xstatic) Friday 6th November. Enstone Airfield, Enstone. Nr. Oxford.
• Altered States Pt III Saturday 3rd October. Southend United FC. Roots Hall Stadium, Southend
• Cryptonite Friday 23rd October. Peterborough Arena, Peterborough, Cambridgeshire.
• Wisdom Friday 9th October. Nr Dorking, Surrey, Otf A24 Nr Capel
• Raveword Ravescene The Party Part II. Saturday 24th October The Tasco Warchouse, 138 Nathan Way, Plumstead, London SE28
• Exodus Friday 9th October. Kings Lynn Speedway Stadium, Saddlebow Road, Kings Lynn, Norfolk. (off A47)
• Every Picture Tells A Story Saturday 17th October. The Warehouse, Nathan Way, Plumstead, London SE28
• Love Fever Garage Weekender. 13/14/15 November. Gt. Yarmouth
• Fascintation Saturday LOth October, The Tasco Warchouse, 138 – 140 Nathan Way. Plumstead
• Fusion Friday 23rd October Portsmouth, Guildhall
• World Dance Saturday 31st October, Lydd Airport, Kent