The last couple of years have been fantastic
for young Swedish producer Axwell (real name Axel Hedfors).
Leading the way has been Mambana, his collaboration with Isabel
Fructuoso (of Afro Medusa fame). Signed to the highly respected
Soulfuric Recordings, they have released 2 huge tracks since
April 2002. "No Reason" was their massive debut
single that hit the top spot in all the Hype/Buzz charts that
Summer and featured in the sets of all the top DJ's including
Louie Vega, Danny Rampling and Ben Watt. The follow up "Libre"
was released last summer and was arguably bigger than its
predecessor. "Libre" was licensed to more than 12
different territories and featured on Compilations that sold
in excess of half a million copies. Isabel was in Stockholm
recently working on the new single "Felicidad" that
should be out this summer.
Other big tracks that Axwell has been
responsible for over the last 2 years include Jetlag “So
Right”, which came out in September 2002 also on Soulfuric.
Featuring the vocals of Noel McKoy this track had a guitar
hook to die for and was backed up with a peak time dub mix
that saw Axwell and Brain Tappert at the controls together.
At the tail end of 2002 Axwell went back to his roots and
did a track under his own name • “Lead Guitar”
was released by fellow Swede Stonebridge on his Stoney Boy
imprint and was again well supported.
2003 saw Axwell record for London based
label suSU (the UK home of Master’s At Work) under the
guise of Starbeach. The track was called “Get Naked”
& featured the vocal talents of D’Empress (Mutiny).
This was followed up last Summer by Axwell's update of Evelyn
Thomas' classic "High Energy" which rocked dancefloors
again some 20 years after its original release. In the autumn
of 2003 Axwell's "Wait A Minute", featuring the
vocals of Nevada was released on Soulfuric related label Device.
This peak time party anthem was a club smash that duly gained
support from the likes of Pete Tong, Junior Jack, Kid Creme
& David Guetta.
In between all this Axwell has managed
to lend his considerable talents to other Artists - recent
mixes have included Usher "Burn" (BMG), Room 5 “Make
Luv” (Positiva), Clipse ft Faith Evans "Ma, I Don’t
Love Her" (RCA) &. Stonebridge "Put 'Em High"
(Hed Kandi). He's just finished a remix for N*E*R*D's single
"Maybe" due on Virgin next month.
At the end of last year Axwell set about
dismantling his studio ready for a complete refurbishment.
The job was finally completed in February since when Axwell
has been working on some new productions - apart from the
aforementioned new Mambana single he's finished a new solo
track called "Feel The Vibe" that's out on promo
through Sweden's Nero Recordings this month, and the reactions
has been stunning so far...
2005
- 2012 Swedish House Mafia (Axwell, Steve Angello
& Sebastian Ingrosso) Funky House Special DVD Offer
DVD:
(4)
Axwell Funky House DJ Set Compilations
1-2 Steve Angello
Funky House DJ Set Compilations 1-2 Sebastian Ingrosso
Funky House Compilation Swedish House Mafia
Funky House Compilations 1-2