Tim Deluxe evolved from an ordinary British DJ and studio hand into a recognized hitmaker who turned out a string of chart-topping singles throughout the early 2000s. Along the way he also helped elevate Darren Emerson’s Underwater Records through a series of vocal-driven club anthems such as “It Just Won’t Do” and “Less Talk, More Action.” His path began behind the decks in London clubs while he held a daytime job at a local record shop throughout the 1990s. He soon added production credits, teaming with Omar Amidora and Andy Lysandrou inside the short-lived outfit Double 99. That project delivered a major success in 1997 when “RIP Groove” became a staple from London dancefloors to Ibiza terraces and appeared on countless compilations.
After the breakthrough, Deluxe struck out solo and supplied tracks to Cross Section Records, including “Moments” and “I Know,” before signing with the more prominent Underwater imprint. His first outing there was “Sirens,” quickly followed by the breakthrough single “It Just Won’t Do.” Featuring Sam Obernik’s catchy vocal hook and a subtle Latin flavor, the track ranked among the standout cuts at the 2002 Winter Music Conference and paved the way for the follow-up, “Less Talk, More Action!,” a collaboration with Terra Deva that earned similar acclaim at the next year’s gathering. He maintained a busy DJ schedule that drew its own praise and contributed remixes for Basement Jaxx, Layo & Bushwacka!, Kylie Minogue, and the White Stripes. These efforts converged in 2004 when Underwater issued his debut album, The Little Ginger Club Kid, which gathered earlier favorites alongside fresh material such as “Mundaya (The Boy).”
In subsequent years Deluxe issued two more albums in a comparable dance and electronic vein: Ego Death in 2006 and Fluid Moments in 2010. With The Radicle in 2015 he shifted direction, broadening his sonic range by recruiting and featuring a live jazz and blues ensemble assembled specifically for the project.
