Soul of Man

Soul of Man

Soul of Man is a breakbeat and electronic music group from Camden, United Kingdom, made up of Jem Panufnik and Justin Rushmore. Active since 1998, the pair also set up Finger Lickin’ Records in the late 1990s and become closely associated with the label’s development and sound.

Background

The duo build their reputation through funk-driven production and DJ performances. Their early releases include the mix compilation Breakthru, which appears in 1998 and helps establish their post-big beat, funk-led party style. They follow this with a run of breakbeat records that become widely used by DJs, including Love & Hate, Between the Eyes and Gonna Keep On.

Record label and collective

Finger Lickin’ Records grows into a home for a wider group of like-minded producers, including Plump DJs, Krafty Kuts, A-Skillz, Lee Coombs and The Drumattic Twins. Soul of Man also mix all four volumes of the Finger Lickin’ Thang series, as well as React’s 21st Century Breaks and the Y4K mix for Distinc’tive.

Style and collaborations

Their sound draws on funk, early hardcore and house, with a strong percussive emphasis. As remixers, they work on material by Jacknife Lee, Doug Lazy, James Taylor Quartet, Fluke, Dub Pistols and Dreadzone. Individual tracks associated with the duo include Dirty Waltzer, Killa Brew, The Drum, MyLowDownDirty and SukDat.

Members and other work

Jem Panufnik is also a graphic designer and creates the distinctive sleeve artwork for Finger Lickin’ releases. He is a classically trained percussionist with roots in funk. Justin Rushmore has a background as a DJ, starting with mobile DJ work in the 1980s and later playing acid house parties in the 1990s.

DJ activity

Alongside their production work, Soul of Man tour internationally as DJs. They play regular festival and club dates, including appearances at Glastonbury, The Big Chill, The Glade and in Ibiza, and develop a strong following in Australia.

Release

Re-Licked marks a ten-year retrospective of their output and pairs early material with new remixes from artists including A-Skillz, Merka, TroubleSoup!!, Deepcut, Nick Thayer and Kraak & Smaak.