Biography
Mixmaster Morris, serving as DJ, musician, and journalist while labeling himself the "international cheerleader of ambient," ranks among the busiest advocates for emerging ambient and electronic sounds. Acclaimed equally for his inventive, far-reaching DJ sets and for his own productions issued under the Irresistible Force name, Morris has exerted enormous sway over post-rave electronica's trajectory. His nonstop tour schedule, weekly playlists, monthly release reviews, and extensive website tracing the growth of ambient and experimental electronic music have introduced a broad array of otherwise obscure artists—from Terre Thaemlitz to Photek and from Ken Ishii to Robert Rich—to larger audiences. Although his holographic suits, Zippy connections, and soundbyte approach to musical evangelism may appear somewhat over-the-top, his dedication to the music and the caliber of his sustained work remain beyond question.
English-born Morris Gould began DJing in the early '80s, not in warehouse party chill rooms but in dive-bar punk clubs where he spun experimental rock, jazz, electronic music, and assorted other oddities between bands. He eventually brought his turntable skills and swiftly growing record collection to pirate station Network 21, collaborating there with Jonathan More and Matt Black of Coldcut; his nickname arose from eclectic radio programs that might juxtapose Terry Riley with Tibetan monks or Captain Beefheart with Amazonian field recordings. After finishing college in the mid-'80s, Morris took a post in computer systems administration before launching Irresistible Force with Des de Moor in 1987. The pair played clubs, toured with Meat Beat Manifesto, and eventually issued a single before Morris ended the partnership in 1989. Retaining the name, he immersed himself further in the expanding U.K. rave scene, touring with the Shamen in 1989, taking on side gigs and parties, and organizing London's first ambient club events, Telepathic Fish.
Although Morris had explored real-time tape loops and low-rent electronics since the mid-'80s, he did not begin serious recording until the early '90s. He released his first full-length album, Flying High, on the Rising High label and recorded the celebrated Dreamfish with Frankfurt ambient composer Pete Namlook. Both projects placed Morris at the forefront of the new ambient movement—a role he willingly embraced—prompting a series of remixes for Coldcut, the Shamen, Barbarella, Rising High Collective, and Higher Intelligence Agency. Persistent difficulties with his label nonetheless hindered progress on his second album, delaying it for two years. After Global Chillage appeared in 1995, Morris severed ties with Rising High and recorded for old associates Coldcut on their Ninja Tune label. It's Tomorrow Already came out in 1998, after which Morris placed the alias on hold and concentrated on club and radio work, collecting multiple "best chillout DJ" accolades from the Ibiza Dance Awards and Mixcloud. The fourth Irresistible Force album, Kira Kira, was released on Liquid Sound Design in 2017.
English-born Morris Gould began DJing in the early '80s, not in warehouse party chill rooms but in dive-bar punk clubs where he spun experimental rock, jazz, electronic music, and assorted other oddities between bands. He eventually brought his turntable skills and swiftly growing record collection to pirate station Network 21, collaborating there with Jonathan More and Matt Black of Coldcut; his nickname arose from eclectic radio programs that might juxtapose Terry Riley with Tibetan monks or Captain Beefheart with Amazonian field recordings. After finishing college in the mid-'80s, Morris took a post in computer systems administration before launching Irresistible Force with Des de Moor in 1987. The pair played clubs, toured with Meat Beat Manifesto, and eventually issued a single before Morris ended the partnership in 1989. Retaining the name, he immersed himself further in the expanding U.K. rave scene, touring with the Shamen in 1989, taking on side gigs and parties, and organizing London's first ambient club events, Telepathic Fish.
Although Morris had explored real-time tape loops and low-rent electronics since the mid-'80s, he did not begin serious recording until the early '90s. He released his first full-length album, Flying High, on the Rising High label and recorded the celebrated Dreamfish with Frankfurt ambient composer Pete Namlook. Both projects placed Morris at the forefront of the new ambient movement—a role he willingly embraced—prompting a series of remixes for Coldcut, the Shamen, Barbarella, Rising High Collective, and Higher Intelligence Agency. Persistent difficulties with his label nonetheless hindered progress on his second album, delaying it for two years. After Global Chillage appeared in 1995, Morris severed ties with Rising High and recorded for old associates Coldcut on their Ninja Tune label. It's Tomorrow Already came out in 1998, after which Morris placed the alias on hold and concentrated on club and radio work, collecting multiple "best chillout DJ" accolades from the Ibiza Dance Awards and Mixcloud. The fourth Irresistible Force album, Kira Kira, was released on Liquid Sound Design in 2017.
Albums
Singles
