Also known as Slipmatt & Lime, THC Members Slipmatt, Jay J | Origin United Kingdom (1985) | |
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Years active 1985–1993, 1998–present Past members Jo Millet
Kelly Overett
Devious D
Ronan Fitzgerald Albums On a Ragga Tip / Hear My Name, Mixmag Live! Volume 5, The SL2 EP Record labels XL Recordings, American Recordings Genres Breakbeat hardcore, Rave music Similar Altern‑8, Bizarre Inc, 2 Bad Mice, Kicks Like a Mule, Shades of Rhythm Profiles | ||
SL2 are an English breakbeat hardcore group active in the early 1990s from London, England. They also recorded, remixed or produced under the names Slipmatt & Lime and T.H.C.
Contents
Background
"Starting out as a group of three, SL2 was originally a coming together of DJ's Matt "Slipmatt" Nelson, John "Lime" Fernandez and rap vocalist Jason "Jay-J" James. The SL2 name came from the founders' initials - Slipmatt (S) and Lime (L), and the fact that they were a duo - hence "SL2".
Underground
As youngsters in 80s Britain, they were very much into the hip hop scene before having their heads turned by the growing rave scene.
Their big break came in 1989 through Slipmatt's older brother, who was running the now legendary party-promoting organisation Raindance, they became the enterprise's resident DJs, playing parties all over the United Kingdom.
A year into touring with Raindance, SL2 released their debut single, "Do That Dance," through B-Ware Records which sold well to fans of the rave scene. Allegedly, the practices of the record label prevented the band from ever seeing any money. Subsequently, SL2 set up their own Awesome Records label, through which they first released another single, "DJ's Take Control". The record sold 3500 copies, attracting the attention of new dance label XL Recordings.
Mainstream
XL Recordings catapulted SL2 into the mainstream charts by re-releasing "DJ's Take Control" which became a number 11 hit in the UK charts. More success followed accompanied by two female rave/breakbeat dancers, Jo Millett (who later produced her own music) and Kelly Overett (who would later go on to be a member of the Italian Eurodance act Cappella). The latter two appeared with Nelson, Fernandez & James in live shows and their videos.
"On A Ragga Tip" was released in 1992 through XL Recordings, and became their biggest hit to date spending 11 weeks in the UK charts. It peaked at number two and was their first song to chart across Europe. With new hit "Way In My Brain" charting later that year, disagreements within the group saw SL2 split up by the end of 1993.
Reformation
In 1997, a remix of their biggest hit On A Ragga Tip re-entered the charts leading Slipmatt and Lime to reconvene. Although no new material was ever released, they do continue to DJ on a semi-regular basis. As of November 2014, a Facebook page was set up to push for a Christmas re-release of "On A Ragga Tip," which has seen a resurgence, especially in the opening ceremony of the 2014 Commonwealth Games.
On 21 July 2015, XL Recordings re-released a newly digital remastered recording of their 1991 debut albums "The SL2 EP" which can be downloaded on iTunes.
Cover versions
South African band Dr Victor and the Rasta Rebels covered "On a Ragga Tip".
In 2015 the British electronic/house duo My Digital Enemy released an EDM remake of "On a Ragga Tip" which sampled the SL2 original version.
Songs
On a Ragga TipThe SL2 EP · 2015
Way in My BrainThe SL2 EP · 2015
DJ's Take ControlThe SL2 EP · 2015