Colin Dale

Colin Dale is a London DJ and producer associated with progressive house, techno, house and tech house. He begins his career in 1982, when he works in banking in the City of London and starts warming up for Tim Westwood at Gossips nightclub in Soho, playing early hip hop, soul, disco and related club records. By 1985 he is a key figure at the pirate station Kiss FM, then leaves banking to concentrate on music and launches the Abstrakt Dance radio show.

Broadcasting and club work

Abstrakt Dance runs for 16 years and becomes a significant platform for techno, featuring guests including members of the Underground Resistance collective, Richie Hawtin, Dave Angel, Colin Faver, Laurent Garnier, Carl Cox, Juan Atkins, Kevin Saunderson, Derrick May and others. When the show goes online in 1993, it is presented as a live techno broadcast with visuals. Dale also works with Brenda Russell and Colin Faver on the Deep Space club series in London, and is involved in club nights including Electric Boogie, Vapour Space, Deep and Jelly.

His DJ work takes him to clubs such as Fabric, Rex, Pasha in Buenos Aires and Love in Brazil, and he tours widely across Japan, China, Russia, Australia and Eastern Europe. He also plays major events including Dance Valley, Full Moon, Tribal Gathering, Sunrise, Energy, Love Parade, Automatik and Rage at Heaven.

Production and labels

As a producer, Dale records for a long list of labels including Perfecto, Obsessive, Logic, Sensei, Visitor, Abstrakt Dance, Swag, Laus and Alien Funk. He also appears on Perfecto’s first LP and releases seven mix compilation LPs for major labels. Later he establishes the Rebel Audio label and website. His recorded work and DJ sets are described as drawing on the techier side of house, the funkier side of techno, electro and classic selections.

Style and techniques

Dale is known for mixing with multiple turntables and digital systems, using three turntables, Final Scratch, Traktor, Ableton Live, Pioneer CD decks and effects. He is also sponsored by Allen & Heath DJ mixers and is featured in the Sony publication 100 DJs by Cortez. In a contemporary description, he is presented as a major figure in the UK techno scene.

Residencies and later activity

He holds residencies at Fabric, System, Indigo, Herbal and Red Rooms, with specific regular slots at Fabric London, Herbalist at Herbal London, The Box at Medicine Bar and Sumo at Indigo London. His career links early London club culture, pirate radio, techno broadcasting and long-running DJ residency work.