DJ Unity

Even though Unity (real name Paul Devin) had spent a lot of his life in London, he also spent some of his time growing up in deepest, darkest Norfolk, at a small town called Watton. Whilst attending the local school here, he met, and grew up with a bunch of DJ’s/producers who used to put on regular, small private parties called ‘Hyperbolic’. One of the guys running this outfit was local lad Jayesh.

Throughout the early 90’s the Hyperbolic crew threw some wonderful parties all over East Anglia. Various village halls and sports centres were used and abused, never to be used again!! But they got away with it and continued to get a name for themselves. As well as Unity, home DJ Treble D was also part of the posse, as was PH1 (aka Paul Christian). And even though Unity lived and had a full time job in London, he travelled virtually every weekend to party in Norfolk and DJ’ed at most of them.

Meanwhile, Hyperbolic grew and grew, moving around the counties putting on some outstanding parties. I remember lots of messy, messy nights at the Kings Lynn Speedway Stadium. This place was a great little haunt for ravers back in the day, with many all-nighters being permitted, which was quite rare back then…boy, did we have some fun!!! Stevie Knight shortly after bought the name Hyperbolic while Jayesh grew into ‘Milky Lunch’ (94 – 97).

Now DJ Unity was getting slots all over the place, booked to play at most of the major events, one of them being Eclipse at the Corn Exchange, Cambridge (90–93). A place that rocked and blew the roof off every time!!! This soon became a special place for all of the East Anglian ravers to come together, and be as one!!! Another one of those places was the Dance hall in Newmarket, Suffolk.

One of big breaks that he had been waiting for after all the travelling and playing out in Norfolk on a regular basis, was to finally play in London, where he LIVED!!! This came with a special invite when he was booked to play at a very exclusive, underground dance party on a sunny, summer’s, Sunday afternoon for a group of people that used to run the Labyrinth, Joe and Phil. They loved him big time, thought he was the kippers titz and the mutz nutz!!! From then on DJ Unity played on a regular basis at the Labyrinth (The Four Aces, Dalston, RIP), Desire’s (Tasco Warehouse, Plumstead), Eclipse’s (Cambridge) plus many, many more.

To Be Continued……………………


By DJ Vinyl Vera (Norwich).

DJ UNITY – Interview 2006

After getting in contact with DJ Unity we were able to ask him if he would set the record straight and answer some of the questions that’s been on everybody’s minds since he made his storming debut for Eclipse back in December 1991.

Q. What is your real name?
A. Paul Devin

Q. When and where were you born?
A. I was born in July 1967, London.

Q. What were your musical influences?
A. I’ve loved to listen to music for as long as I can remember. The first record I brought was: Fatti Bum Bum by the Diversions, in1975. The first tune I went record hunting for was the 12” of Dancing in Outer Space by Atmosfear, in 1979.What a buzz wondering if you’re ever going to get it as I wondered around London’s Record shops getting told that old favourite “Sorry mate I’ve just sold the last copy!” Then I walk into one of the last shops on my list and I hear those magic words, “Yes mate I’ve got one left”. There have been a few musical influences; Ska, Rock Steady and Reggae were the first styles of music, which made me feel something deep internally and make me dance my arse off. Then Funk; Midtown and early Hip Hop spoke volumes to me. Public Enemy, Marley Marl’s stable, Sugar Bear’s Don’t Scandalize Mine blows my socks off!! As did M.C. Duke’s I’m Riffin, Original and 90 remix (one of the best remixes you will ever hear, seriously!!)

Q. When did you first start DJ’ing and how did you get into it?
A. In the 80’s I remember going to clubs and if you were lucky enough to get past the fascist doormen and the dress code, you then had to listen to some self inflated so called D.J run on a load of bollocks over a load of shit tunes. Then that magic moment would arrive when he would play those few tunes we were all waiting for.

Q. What was your first big break?
A. My First Legal gig (1989) was in a village hall in Norfolk when my DJ. Name was DJ. Unit-E!?! It was quickly changed (thankfully) to Unity. The first tune I played out was Debbie Malone - Rescue Me. I spent most of 89, 90 and 91 on the Illegal scene, playing for organizations like Hyperbolic, (Jay, you and your parties are legendary), Proper Stuff, Kite High, Bliss, etc. which were so much fun after the oppression of the city night club scene. The first major Rave I got to play at was Cryptonite! 8th November 91. I had to play the warm up set in Arena 1. I was so proud. I can remember Julian the promoter calling me over later that night to ask me if I would go on again, as one of the DJs in arena 2 hadn’t turned up for the 1:00am to 2:30am set. I think it was Stu Allan. I nearly passed out as I walked on the stage to see thousands of well up for it Ravers and behind me was Slipmatt (who is still da Man, nuff respect mate.) Kenny Ken (One Love), and M.C. Moose, who gave me a puff on his cigarette, which helped with my nerves. As soon as I finished my first mix I settled completely, and I had this amazing feeling that this is what it’s all about- playing what I thought were wicked tunes on a wicked loud and clear sound system with a good visual production to Ravers who agreed with me.

Q. Which other events did you regularly play at during the rave days?
A. Events (that I can remember) Labrynth, (Best Hardcore Club in London for years!) 2000AD Desire, Raindance, United Dance and Temptation, Dance Paradise, World in Action, Raven, Destiny on Clacton pier, it had a mental large pool were you could touch the fish! (The one true) Eclipse, One Nation, Love of Life, Slammin Vinyl, Summer Dance Fest, Rumble, Pure X, Die Hard, Equinox, Rave World, A.D.I. Kite High, Hyperbolic and Milky Lunch. And a few more that escape my memory.

Q. Have you played anywhere abroad?
A. Yes. I did a couple of tours of Australia. Each one was meant to last 4 to 6 weeks but each time I stayed for about 6 months! I enjoyed it so much that I found it hard to leave. Poland was another great place to play, I think out there was possibly the biggest crowds I’ve had the pleasure of playing for. Each time I’d go there you could expect the Ravers to be in their 10’s of thousands!

Q. Have you been involved in working on any tracks in the studio?
A. I’ve made a few tunes. The first tune I was involved in was the first 2000AD track, and then Nick and I came up with an E.P. called Tru D’Light. The Lead track is called Keep It Coming, on Pure White Records. (Which is still being played hard on the underground scene today!) I then made a couple of tunes for the J.A.L. Boys- Freedom and Golden Lights. I’ve also released a couple of bad house tunes! I have recently teamed up with the mighty Nick A again and we are currently working on a stack of new tunes, as well as a few old ones.

Q. Where do you currently DJ and what are you up to now?
A. I’m still playing at the odd club night, The Junction Cambridge. But you’re far more likely to hear me pumping out old skool sounds in an open field or deep in the woods, for Sound systems like Katylist Slack Banta and Brainscan. It’s a bit like the early days. I also returned to Residential Social Work in 2000. My latest venture is starting up an organisation by the name of Jump Around Promotions in partnership with Afro B. Our aim is to recreate the vibe of the old days through the parties we put on and the music we are making.

Q. What are some of your favourite venues, past or present?
A. Labrynth, because it was one of the rave scene catalysts and obviously Eclipse at The Corn Exchange for the atmosphere and warmth created there was untouchable. (No arse licking- straight from the heart!!)

Q. How would you describe your current DJ style?
A. Excellent thanks!! Haha. I still play a lot of Old Skool Hardcore, Drum & Bass, New Skool Breaks and also a bit of Ska.

Q. Do you have any plans for the future?
A. Yeah to play tunes to people for as long as they want to listen to me and to get more into making music with the other talented (piss) artists involved in the Jump Around stable.

Q. Do you have any fond memories or stories from Eclipse?
A. Loads of awesome memories. I still have a lot of good friends that I met at Eclipses. But one of my favourite memories is playing the Eclipse New Years Eve Party 1991/92- what an incredible night, topped by the fact that all my best mates were there. WHAT A RUSH!!!