LTJ Bukem is a drum and bass DJ and producer from Croydon, United Kingdom, born in 1967. He begins DJing in the mid-1980s, after discovering club culture as a teenager, and he also runs a jazz funk band during that period. By 1987 he has built a reputation for his sets.

Breakthrough and early releases

His first major break comes in 1990 at Raindance, where he plays to a crowd of 10,000. He then enters the studio and records Logical Progression, a 12-inch issued on the newly formed Vinyl Mania label. The track becomes one of the defining records of the period and sets out the style associated with his name.

After Logical Progression, he founds Good Looking Records, which is listed as his label, and its first release is Demon's Theme. He follows this with Apollo in 1992, then gains a wider breakthrough with Music in 1993. In 1994 he releases 19.5 and Horizons.

Remixes, collaborations and albums

LTJ Bukem also builds a remix catalogue that includes reworks of Jodeci's Feenin' and Michelle Gayle's Sweetness. He collaborates with David Arnold on the James Bond theme Thunderball, and he later remixes Herbie Hancock's The Essence.

His solo album Journey Inwards appears at the start of the 21st century. It is described as drawing on drum and bass, soul, downbeat and house. He also continues the Progression Sessions series of live mixes, recorded in London, the United States, Tokyo and Germany.

Compilations and later work

He compiles the Soulfood and Soul Addiction compilations, and also releases two Producer series CDs. In 2007 he and his label return with new releases, including a double A-side 12-inch pairing Switch by LTJ Bukem with Drum Toolz by MC Conrad and Furney.

Style and association

He is associated with breakbeat hardcore, drum and bass, liquid funk and rave. His work is closely linked to atmospheric, melodic drum and bass and to the development of the Good Looking Records sound.