Its always going to be the sort of techno you expect. When your dealing with a man who loves the likes of Marco Carola, Max Reich and Ben Sims, it become immediately clear that the man has taste. Then you learn he is from Sweden and understand that with that, he must ooze class. Which he does. Because there is a sexy-ness to the continental and eclectic nature of his sound – a fusion of soothing Latin funk and Afro soul, mixed with a modern futurism and the so-called SLS charm.

It all started for the SLS in the late 1980s, when he began playing with early technology, mixing early house and electronica in his bedroom. He was always interested in lots of different styles – jazz, hip hop, funk, latin, soul and even early rock and roll, like Lou Reed and David Bowie would make it onto his box. What began initially as a hobby turned into a love for music and eventually cultivated into a career as a professional. By 1992, SLS began to explore the art of techno – “I started to buy loads of house and Italian disco, that kind of stuff. Shortly after I bought a really cheap mixer and hooked it up with regular belt driven turntables. It was, as you probably understand, very difficult, but I still learned the basics of beat mixing.”

When his skills reached critical mass, he started his own label, Cycle, in the spring of 1997. This label has moved from strength to strength with each release, with a strong following and solid respect. Cycle has now become SLS records – a natural progression – Samuel has also released work on Dave Angel’s Rotation, Heiko Laux’ Kanzleramt, Primate, Phont as well as a mastermix CD on Monoid. Through hard work and determination, and a helping hand from Detroit, he has carved himself a space as a synthetic tribal warrior with his own level of discerning maturity. “The people in Detroit have been, and still are, a major influence; from Kevin Saunderson and Jeff Mills to Carl Craig and most of those guys. As I see it, they know how to make things funky and soulful. They have knowledge about these things that people in Sweden do not have; it’s part of the environment. Derrick May and Jeff Mills are two people I really admire as DJs. I like the energy they put down when they play. Not to mention UR, Funk D’Void Live, Carl Craig and Kenny Larkin!”

Like most artists, he finds techno can and often is its own worst enemy. Of course you can’t please everyone, but his most basic aim with his label, his performances and his overall attitude is that from time to time you need to try new things. Avoid the boring. Keep it fresh. Keep it evolving – “that’s exactly why I started SLS, to just release good music – pure and simple”. From the studio to the floor, he is always thinking about how to make something new.

Still thrilled and excited about the thought of making people dance, he uses every opportunity, calling them mistakes, to nurture and grow. And it is this that gives him a warmth and sincerity many other DJs lack. “I’m still extremely passionate about what I do and there’s nothing else in the world I would rather do. It couldn’t be better. I’m very thankful to be in this position, it turned out far better than expected”. I would like to think that the likes of A Bastards Work is Never Done, Obsession, Velvet, Loops and Dubs and Merange will make appearances. Possibly tribal, possibly funky – it will depend on the crowd. But either way, it is sure to ooze class and make you all warm and fuzzy inside.

Catch SLS at Two Tribes 04 on the following dates in your city.

Sat Mar 6, Two Tribes Sydney (BUY TICKETS)
Sun Mar 7, Two Tribes Melbourne (BUY TICKETS)