Ben Westbeech (born 17 April 1981), also known as Breach, is a British DJ and record producer originating from Hertfordshire who spent his formative musical years in Bristol.[1][2] Trained as cellist and vocalist, his influences include house, soul, jazz and hip hop.[3]
Ben Westbeech | |
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| Background information | |
| Also known as | Breach, Lean |
| Born | 17 April 1981 Hertfordshire, England |
| Origin | Bristol, England |
| Genres | Electronic, house, jazz fusion |
| Occupation(s) | Producer, DJ |
| Instrument(s) | Cello, piano |
| Years active | 2006–present |
| Labels | Trademark of Energy Production Srl, Brownswood Recordings, Naked Naked, Dirtybird |
| Website | benwestbeech |
Music career
editEarly career: 2007–08
editWestbeech gave a CD containing his first single "So Good Today" to a friend in London. Two months later she played it to Gilles Peterson who snapped it up.[citation needed] This led to him being signed to Gilles Peterson's new label, Brownswood Recordings. His debut album Welcome to the Best Years of Your Life was released in March 2007.[4] He later appeared on Later... with Jools Holland alongside Paul McCartney and Björk. He also appeared on the track "Squeeze Me" on Kraak & Smaak's album Plastic People, released in April 2008.[5]
There's More To Life Than This: 2009–11
editMore recently, he appeared on the track "I Can See", which was the main single for Jazzanova's album titled Of All The Things, released in January 2009 on Verve/Universal. Ben also sang on the song "Shame" for DJ Marky and Artificial Intelligence. Westbeech is working with Professor Green (producing for his new record), Kutz (Soul Jazz), Redlight (Lobster Boy) and Rusko (Mad Decent). He released his second album, There's More To Life Than This on Strictly Rhythm in September 2011.[6] The record features collaborators including Soul Clap, Henrik Schwarz, MJ Cole, Motor City Drum Ensemble and Georg Levin.[citation needed] Westbeech described it as "house inspired, rather than straight up house music".[7] Westbeech also produces and DJs under the moniker Breach.[8] Under the "Breach" moniker, he produced the track "Fatherless" released on PTN in 2010.[9] Breach has released music on Claude VonStroke's Dirtybird label and Pet's (Catz n Dogz' label). Westbeech also wrote the vocal for Redlight's Breakthrough hit "Get Out My Head" featuring Nicole Jackson. He also owns the record label "Naked Naked" which releases tracks from Breach, Midland, Dusky and Dark Sky.[10]
2013–present: Breakthrough
editIn June 2013, Westbeech's remix of Maya Jane Coles' "Everything" featuring Karin Park was released through I/AM/ME.[11]
In July 2013, under the name "Breach" he released his first successful single on the UK Singles Chart, "Jack", peaking at 9. The follow-up single, "Everything You Never Had (We Had It All)" featuring Andreya Triana, also peaked at 9.
Breach teamed up with American singer-songwriter Kelis on the track "The Key", which was released on 14 December 2014, the week of the UK Christmas singles chart race; the single however failed to chart.[12]
Personal life
editWestbeech was briefly engaged to actress Rachel Hurd-Wood.[citation needed]
Discography
editAlbums
edit| Title | Album details | Notes | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Welcome to the Best Years of Your Life |
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| There's More To Life Than This |
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Singles
edit| Year | Title | Peak chart positions | Certifications | Album | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| UK [13] |
UK Dance [14] |
IRE [15] |
SCO [16] | ||||
| 2012 | "You Won't Find Love Again" | — | — | — | — | Non-album singles | |
| "101 / Somewhere" | — | — | — | — | |||
| 2013 | "The Click / Fallout" | — | — | — | — | ||
| "Jack" | 9 | 4 | 74 | 12 | |||
| "Everything You Never Had (We Had It All)" (featuring Andreya Triana) |
9 | 2 | 84 | 13 |
| ||
| 2014 | "The Key" (featuring Kelis) |
— | — | — | — | ||
Other songs
edit- "Get Closer" (12")
- "So Good Today" (12")
- "So Good Today (Domu Remixes)" (12", Promo)
- "So Good Today (Osunlade Remixes)" (12")
- "So Good Today" / "Beauty" (12")
- "Dance With Me (MJ Cole / Switch Remixes)" (12")
- "Hang Around (Remixes)" (12")
- "Hang Around" / "Pusherman" (7", Promo)
- "Something for the Weekend"
- "Falling" (Strictly Rhythm)
- "Let's Get Hot" (2013)
- "You Won't Find Love Again" (2013)
Samples
edit- "Get Silly" samples Ray Barretto's cover of Stevie Wonder's song Pastime Paradise
- "Stop What You're Doing" samples Dionne Warwick's Wives And Lovers
- "Get Closer" samples Linda Williams' Elevate Your Mind
- "Pusherman" samples Lover's Theme by Bob Cunningham
References
edit- ^ "Ben Westbeech". Steinberg.net/. Archived from the original on 17 August 2013. Retrieved 7 September 2013.
- ^ "BenWestbeech/BREACH (benwestbeech) on Twitter". Twitter.com. Retrieved 7 September 2013.
- ^ "Interview: BEN WESTBEECH | SoulCulture". 19 January 2008. Archived from the original on 14 October 2016.
- ^ "Ben Westbeech – Welcome to the Best Years of Your Life (CD, Album) at Discogs". Discogs.com. 26 March 2007. Retrieved 7 September 2013.
- ^ "Kraak & Smaak – Plastic People (Vinyl, LP) at Discogs". Discogs.com. Retrieved 7 September 2013.
- ^ "Ben Westbeech – There\'s More To Life Than This". Strictly.com. Archived from the original on 5 June 2012. Retrieved 7 September 2013.
- ^ "RA News: Ben Westbeech says There's More to Life Than This". Residentadvisor.net. Retrieved 7 September 2013.
- ^ "FACT mix 346: Breach – FACT Magazine: Music News, New Music". Factmag.com. 10 September 2012. Retrieved 7 September 2013.
- ^ "Breach (2) – Fatherless at Discogs". Discogs.com. 2 February 2011. Retrieved 7 September 2013.
- ^ Swift, Patrick (24 June 2012). "Ben Westbeech Starts New Label". Mixmag. Archived from the original on 7 July 2012. Retrieved 7 September 2013.
- ^ "Breach Remix of Maya Jane Coles". Indie Shuffle. 8 April 2014.
- ^ "The Key (feat. Kelis) - Single by Breach". Music.apple.com. 2 October 2014. Retrieved 3 April 2020.
- ^ "Breach > UK Charts". officialcharts.com/ Official Charts Company.
- ^ Peak positions for the Dance singles in the UK:
- For "Jack": "Chart Archive > July 27, 2013". Official Charts Company. 27 July 2013.
- For "Everything You Never Had (We Had It All)": "Chart Archive > December 7, 2013". Official Charts Company. 7 December 2013.
- ^ Peak positions in Ireland:
- For "Jack": "Chart Archive > August 15, 2013". Irish Recorded Music Association. 15 August 2013. Archived from the original on 21 September 2013. Retrieved 7 December 2013.
- ^ Peak positions for singles in Scotland:
- For "Jack": "Chart Archive > July 27, 2013". Official Charts Company. 27 July 2013.
- For "Everything You Never Had (We Had It All)": "Chart Archive > December 7, 2013". Official Charts Company. 7 December 2013.
- ^ a b "British single certifications – Breach". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved 1 August 2017. Select singles in the Format field. Type Breach in the "Search BPI Awards" field and then press Enter.
External links
edit- Ben Westbeech – official site
- Ben Westbeech discography at Discogs
- Ben Westbeech interview at Basic Soul
