A pioneer, respected DJ, an accomplished producer/remixer, label / A&R manager and radio presenter, Matt ‘Jam’ Lamont has been an intrinsic part of the UK Dance scene from its very inception.
It was at South London’s The Arches, where the burgeoning underground UK sounds and indeed Matt’s career really took shape with his residency at the legendary Sunday venue.
It was at this seminal Sunday club that he hooked up with fellow DJ Karl ‘Tuff Enuff’ Brown, and together in 1993 they formed the now legendary production/remixing team, Tuff Jam. The duo became the leading figureheads of the UK dance scene during the mid to late 90′s, turning out a slew of classic anthems from ‘Tumblin’ Down’ and entered the charts with TJR’s ‘Just Gets Better’ (Multiply) & Tuff Jam ft, Jaquee Bennett Need Good Love (XL) to top remixes for Kristine Blond, Boyz II Men, Usher, Coolio, En Vogue, Rosie Gaines, Brand New Heavies, Mark Morrison and more.
Tuff Jam mix CD’s “Underground Frequencies” Vol.1 and Vol.2 in 1997 and 1998 for Satellite Records both obtained gold sales status. Another album was compiled and mixed for the U.S.A. entitled “Tuff Jam’s”.
Tuff Jam also remixed the official JAMAICAN FOOTBALL TEAM Song (Reggae Boyz – “Kick It”) for the 1998 World Cup Finals, one of a very few dance acts to remix a World Cup team song.
In 1997 Tuff and Jam made an influential leap onto commercial radio with their specialist UK House & Garage show on Kiss 100 FM; a highly respected show.
In 2000, Matt Jam Lamont decided it was time to pursue other individual and alternative projects outside of the celebrated Tuff Jam partnership & continued with a solo show on Kiss 100 until 2005. Matt also forged another fruitful collaboration, this time with Gavin ‘DJ Face’ Mills (Banana Republic & Copyright fame).
Together in 2001 they were responsible for formulating a ground-breaking UK Dance style mix for successful British trio group Mis-Teeq leading to a debut top 10 chart hit with Why (which was also used as the video/main mix). As an example of production versatility, the innovative Jam & Face garage remix of Why (originally an R&B track) helped Mis-Teeq to obtain an album deal on the back of the single. Jam & Face have also re-rubbed the likes of Artful Dodger, Damage, Mary J Blige, Liberty X and club floor filler from Daniel Bedingfield, ‘Gotta Get Thru This’, amongst many others.
In the summer of 2000, Matt started up his own label, Solo Recordings, which has quickly established a reputation for releasing quality new tracks including Frances James & DJ Faces massive ‘Girls Play Too’ as well as much loved scene classics from Mike Dunn (God Made Me Funky), The Jam Experience (Feel My Love), Zak Toms (Bring Me Down), Plutonic, Colours (Hold On) and MK as well as up & coming Russian producer Artifact.
Studio and production success is fundamentally important to Matt, but the true test of a DJ remains in the clubs. With his versatile DJing skills playing all styles of House, Garage, breaks, dubs, & D&B. Matt Jam remains a busy DJ, both in the UK as well as at international clubbing haunts including Singapore, Hong Kong, Japan, USA, Canada, Italy, Germany, Switzerland, Cyprus, Spain, Ibiza (where he won BEST UNDERGROUND DJ AWARD 2002) and Las Vegas.
Never one to rest on his laurels, Matt continues to take his DJ sets to the road. Remaining versatile and ensuring the crowd is always fully entertained has resulted in the continued success of his Solo University Tour which is in its twelfth year.
In December 2005 Matt Jam Lamont released a 3 CD Compilation TwiceasNice Weekender (Warner’s) with Shortee Blitz/Scottie B which has given Matt another “GOLD” sales status album. Matt then went on to release the second CD Compilation for TwiceasNice in October 2006 which again achieved Gold Status sales. 2008 saw Matt become the only other DJ other than DJ EZ to mix the Pure Garage CD which sold over 100,000 copies globally.
Matt Jam has held his 15 year residency in Ibiza as well as continually being booked internationally.
Matt’s reputation is still hot. His & Scott Diaz remix of ‘Gabrielle’ spending more than 8 consecutive weeks in the Traxsource top 10 & hitting the top number 1spot & going on to win him even more respect within the dance community. Also vocal projects with Angie Brown, Bryan Chambers, Roz Brown and more, as well as fresh versions of much loved house classics ‘Break 4 Love’. The end of 2012 saw Matt continue his studio projects with remixes from USA artist Lee Lee – Ugly & British songstress Keisha White – Butterflies & old skool garage classic Plenty More (Confetti).
December 2012 also saw Matt DJ on the world famous Boiler Room TV.
In 2013 as well as Matt’s continuous presence in DJing worldwide he has also continued locked down a monthly radio show on Kiss 100 creator Gordon Mac’s new station Mi-Soul, remixes (Steve Mills – Nobody & Isaac Christopher – Good Old Days) & a new EP (Jam & Keys – The lost Tapes EP) being released on US producer/DJ Kerri Chandlers “Madhouse Records” label, a new label project Solo Music, releasing projects with singers Lifford & US songstress Roz Brown.
2014 has again started well for Matt with his remix of Vanquish – Damn (licensed to Solo Music) under his Jam Experience pseudonym (with Scott Diaz) going #1 in the Traxsource.com House Sales Chart for 3 weeks & a new remixes for Nabiha – Bang That Drum (licensed to Solo Music) & for major labels Sony Music, 3Beat to name a few.
Dj wise Matt has had a great 2014 so far playing at the world’s biggest festival Glastonbury for Block9. Other festivals include Parklife, Tramlines, Latitude, Ceremony, United, Westfest & more. All this & being booked to play at the MTV EMA 2014 Awards Official After Party (Glasgow) in November.
In 2015 Matt’s success continued with his Thursday weekly summer residency at Sankeys Ibiza for The Redlight, Ibiza’s best new night of 2015 & playing at the the world famous Panorama Bar (Germany). Matt also continued to play at some of the best festivals including Glastonbury for Silver Hayes Wow Stage, Garage Nation, Love Saves The Day, El Festival Ibiza, Eastern Electric, Boomtown, Outlook (Croatia) & more.
As an unceasing champion of the British music scene, and indeed of great garage music irrespective of origin, it’s no misnomer to class Matt ‘Jam’ Lamont amongst dance music’s real pioneers.