In this feature we ask mainstays of the indie establishment who they think will be the next big act to break.

This time we speak with UK garage legend MJ Cole.

Coming from unexpected, classically trained beginnings (oboe and piano), MJ Cole is best known for his meteoric rise to prominence in the late 1990s garage scene, establishing a mindful, emotionally-driven form of the genre typified by his widely celebrated debut album, featuring the breakout single (and now UK garage totem) ‘Sincere’.

The early 2000s saw Cole follow-up his much lauded debut with the polished Cut To The Chase and he has released a steady stream of electrifying singles thereafter, including minimal killer ‘From The Drop’ (featuring the Godfather of Grime himself, Wiley); ferocious ode to London ‘The Rumble’ (featuring new school grime talent, AJ Tracey); and the glowing 2-step shuffler ‘Undo’ (featuring the stirringly soulful vocals of PMR-signed singer-producer, Alyss).

Following the release of Cole’s most recent offering ‘Shelter’ (featuring the rich, classic balladry of TMR regular Bruno Major), we caught up with the seminal London producer to find out which up-and-coming artists he’s keeping a keen eye on at the moment… 

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BRUNO MAJOR

A modern master of soul, budding golfer and accomplished salad maker. Bruno is a studio neighbour of mine and frequent collaborator. He’s an incredible writer of love songs and all round exceptional musician. He releases a song a month and each one has blown me away... I think he could do it for the rest of his life with the amount of talent he possesses. Our recording sessions are wildly creative and productive, never a dull moment.



COUROS

This guy’s production has had me captivated since I recently heard his Jupiter EP on PMR. He delivers beautifully soulful electronic records with such a unique style - solid off-the-beaten-track grooves and carefully chosen off-grid sounds. I had to ask him to jump on the remix for ‘Shelter’ and was delighted he took it on and the result was incredible.



MIC TY

One of so many incredibly exciting MCs ready to blow at the moment. I only discovered him recently but he's been consistently delivering ferocious sets on radio in the last few years and more recently on records. A talented lyricist who delivers bars as hard as anyone else active at the moment and with a unique tone. We have some tracks in the pipeline which I’m more than excited about.



‘Shelter’ is out now and catch MJ Cole at his upcoming sets!

-Karl Jawara