X-Press 2

X-Press 2

X-Press 2 is a London house group formed in 1993 and active since then. The lineup comprises Ashley Beedle, Darren House and Rocky. The group first releases music in 1992, before returning as an ongoing act in the early 2000s. It works in house, progressive house and electronic dance music, with a sound that combines club-focused production with leftfield and deeper influences.

Members and earlier aliases

The group consists of Ashley Beedle, Darren House and Rocky. Ashley Beedle also works under the names The Crazy Gods, Daddy Ash and Urban Bushmen. Darren Rock is also known as Rocky and Rock One, while Darren House uses the aliases Diesel, D.S.L., Flextone and Yellow Sox. All three come from London suburbs and have each played significant roles in the capital’s club scenes.

Early singles and club success

Its first release, Muzik Xpress, arrives in 1992 and becomes an immediate club hit. The track is built around siren-like sounds, percussion and a prominent typewriter-like rhythm. Follow-up releases include London X-Press, with its repeated call to “raise your hands!”, and Say What, which also becomes a dancefloor success. The early records gain support from DJs including Pete Tong and Junior Vasquez, and they establish X-Press 2 as a widely played club act.

Ballistic Brothers and return to X-Press 2

When X-Press 2’s records become more experimental, the trio sets the project aside and moves into other work together, including the Ballistic Brothers team-up, which takes in jazzier, funkier and more downbeat material. In April 2000, the group reunites for more studio work and live activity.

Muzikizum, Lazy and chart success

In 2001 the group releases AC/DC. The singles Muzikizum and Lazy follow in 2002, alongside the debut album Muzikizum. The album reaches number 15 in the UK charts. Lazy becomes the group’s biggest mainstream hit, reaching number 2 and receiving substantial radio play. The track wins an Ivor Novello Award.

Later releases and collaborations

By 2009 Ashley Beedle has left the act to focus on solo work, leaving Rocky and Darren House to continue X-Press 2. The album Raise Your Hands appears in 2008, and a best-of release also marks that period of the group’s catalogue. The duo continue on Skint and work with different vocalists. Their releases include Give It featuring Kurt Wagner, Kill 100, and Time featuring James Yuill, with the latter issued through Moshi Moshi.

X-Press 2 remains associated with club records that continue to circulate in DJ sets and remixes, including Smoke Machine and Muzik Express.