Spiritual South

Spiritual South

Spiritual South is a group formed in 1999 and built around Mark Robertson, with Paul Carroll and Danny J. Lewis also listed as members. Robertson is a DJ, producer and record collector who grows up in London, where he is influenced by the jazz-funk movement of the 1980s and by pirate radio stations playing rare groove, funk and jazz-dance for local audiences. His wider listening leads him into jazz-centred music that crosses over with Afro-American music and with the rhythms, melodies and arrangements of Latin America and Africa.

Background

In the early 1990s, Robertson moves to Australia and spends nearly four years playing at residencies and one-off events before returning to London. He formally studies Latin percussion and completes a degree in art before forming Spiritual South. The project is described as one focused on making and promoting dance music and working with like-minded musicians from around the world.

Recording work

After three years of hosting Spiritual South events, Robertson turns to music production. His first commission comes through Nik Weston of Exceptional Records, who asks him to remix United Future Organisation’s “Suite Espagnole”. Spiritual South then releases its debut single, “Green Gold”, which becomes an established club track and attracts strong support internationally.

Style and output

Spiritual South’s work draws on jazz, nu jazz, lounge, electronica and beats, and Robertson’s approach combines hard-to-find music with styles from different parts of the musical spectrum. The project develops a substantial remix catalogue and becomes known as a distinctive dance-music act with a broad, global reference point.