Releases by Mixer / D.J.
SIMON HARRIS
| Year | Release Title | Label | Mix Title | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1984 | 1984 06 Mixes | D.M.C. | THRILL UPON THRILL MEGAMIX | 00:16:20 |
| 1984 | 1984 08 Mixes | D.M.C. | LOST IN MIXES | 00:09:07 |
| 1984 | Change - Medley | W.E.A. | CHANGE MEDLEY | 00:08:45 |
| 1985 | James Brown - Froggy Mix | Boiling Point | JAMES BROWN: FROGGY MIX Side 1 | 00:07:05 |
| 1985 | James Brown - Froggy Mix | Boiling Point | JAMES BROWN: FROGGY MIX Side 2 | 00:06:26 |
| 1986 | Electro 11 | Street Sounds | HIP HOP ELECTRO 11 Side One | 00:24:07 |
| 1986 | Electro 11 | Street Sounds | HIP HOP ELECTRO 11 Side Two | 00:22:19 |
| 1986 | Grace Jones - Re-Mix Re-Mask | Island | GRACE JONES: RE-MIX RE-MASK | 00:05:50 |
| 1987 | Cream Of Supreme | Supreme | CREAM OF SUPREME Side A | 00:18:54 |
| 1987 | Def Beats | Music Of Life | POWERPLAY MEGAMIX | 00:04:12 |
| 1987 | Hard As Hell | Music Of Life | THESE ARE THE BRAKES | 00:02:46 |
| 1987 | Hard As Hell | Music Of Life | HARD AS HELL Megamix | 00:03:41 |
| 1987 | Joyce Sims - Megamix | London | LIFETIME LOVE/ALL IN ALL Megamix | 00:05:11 |
| 1988 | Whodini - N.Y.C. | Jive | FRIENDS Mastermix | 00:07:09 |
| 1988 | The Prelude Megamix | Dance Classics | PRELUDE MEGAMIX | 00:07:04 |
| 1989 | Ambassadors Of Funk - Megamix | Living Beat | AMBASSADORS MEGAMIX | 00:05:24 |
Information:
Below is a summarised biography created using Google Gemini in April 2026...
Simon Harris (1962–2026) was a pivotal figure in the evolution of the British music scene. As a DJ, producer, and entrepreneur, he was instrumental in providing the infrastructure and technical tools that allowed UK hip-hop and electronic music to develop its own unique identity.
The Foundation of "Music of Life"
In 1986, Harris co-founded Music Of Life Records alongside Steven Howlett (known as DJ Froggy). While it began by licensing US material, Harris quickly shifted the focus toward homegrown British talent.
Defining a Genre: Under Harris's guidance, Music of Life became the premier label for British hip-hop. He produced the landmark track "Rock the Beat" by Derek B, which proved that UK rappers could compete commercially.
Key Artists: The label’s roster was a "who’s who" of early UK urban music, included Hijack, Demon Boyz, MC Duke, Asher D & Daddy Freddy
"Beats, Breaks & Scratches": The DJ's Toolkit
Perhaps Harris's most significant contribution to DJ history was his Beats, Breaks & Scratches series. Launched in 1987, these were not traditional albums but "battle records" or utility tools for the working DJ.
Technical Innovation: Before digital software made looping easy, these records provided clean drum breaks, sound effects, and vocal snippets.
Global Impact: The series eventually spanned 12 volumes and became essential equipment for DJs worldwide—from bedroom beginners to legends like Norman Cook (Fatboy Slim) and Paul Oakenfold, both of whom collaborated on later volumes.
The Blueprint: These records laid the technical foundation for the rave, hardcore, and jungle movements by providing the raw materials (the "breaks") that producers needed to build tracks.
Solo Success and Remix Legacy
Harris wasn't just a label boss; he was a highly successful artist in his own right, bridging the gap between underground club culture and the mainstream charts.
"Bass (How Low Can You Go?)": Released in 1988, this track reached #12 on the UK Singles Chart. It was a masterclass in sampling and remains a definitive house-hip hop crossover anthem.
"Simon Harris was the bridge between the DJ booth and the recording studio. Through his label, Music of Life, he gave British hip-hop its first real home, and through his 'Beats, Breaks & Scratches' series, he provided the DNA for the next three decades of electronic music production. He didn't just play the music; he built the tools that allowed the music to evolve."