Five For The Funk - Simon Shackleton's Summer In London

Image: Simon Shackleton

Icon of electronics Simon Shackleton, otherwise known as Elite Force has secured several high profile awards including the highest selling breakbeat track of the year, making him one of the most prolific electronic artists in the industry.

From topping polls and charts to creating music that has appeared in Hollywood films including The Matrix and Charlie's Angels, Shackleton's accomplishments stretch much further than the average DJ/producer. 

Ahead of the One Series boat party aboard the Dutch Master on the River Thames, we asked him to select five tracks that reminded him of our wonderful capital city in the summer season to get us ready for the party on the waves. 

Phuture 'Acid Tracks'

This takes me way back to the era of Poll Tax Riots, Student Loans protests and the CJB protests. The streets were awash with people of all ages during the day, jammin’ to a rich, eclectic soundtrack.

But this, this was the soundtrack of the night, and the visceral thrill of analogue machines duelling with the Police on the fringes of the M25. It’s a track that I have Revamped myself and played at many of my annual Boat Parties.

Butthole Surfers 'Sweet Loaf'

Back in the late eighties, the Butthole Surfers were a personal favourite and rare visitors to these shores.

I caught a show of theirs at the Mean Fiddler and it’s fair to say it was complete bedlam, both inside and outside the venue afterwards, where a line of riot police dispersed the unhinged masses into the warm fug of the London night.

Elbow 'Station Approach'

I’d just bought Leaders of the Free World that day and was on my way to Brixton to play at Jamm (legendary spot where we’re hosting this year’s post-Boat After-Party).

My plan was to listen to the whole album, but I was so mesmerised by this opening track that I literally re-played it 15 times as I cruised through my old haunts in South London, windows open, singing at the top of my voice.

Layo & Bushwacka 'Love Story'

I used to host nights in the second room of The End back in the day and was fortunate enough to have caught one or two of Layo & Bushwacka’s legendary all-night sets there, which kind of set the template for my One Series shows (One DJ, One Room, All Night).

This track reminds me of those heady nights in the city - dripping in musicality and raw electronic emotion.

The Clash 'London Calling'

A ubiquitous slice of London, the Clash were a perfect post-punk encapsulation of an entire era. This is a bona fide classic, an apocalyptic rallying cry to the underclass and the dispossessed. Both nihilistic and uplifting, it’s a great example of the rich cultural melting pot that runs thick through the veins of this great city.

You can now get special discounted Boat Party tickets exclusively through Skiddle. The password is: SHACKFORCE.

Tickets are no longer available for this event