E-Z Rollers

The duo of Jay Hurren and Alex Banks defined the easy-rolling two-step of Moving Shadow Records during the late ’90s with their recordings as E-Z Rollers, after developing hardcore breakbeats earlier in the decade as JMJ & Richie and Hyper On Experience. Both were originally involved in the mid-’80s rare-groove and hip-hop scene around their native East Anglia, promoting shows and DJing as well. They moved into house as well after the rave explosion, and while Banks increasinly concentrated on production work in his home studio during the early ’90s, Hurren continued to mix at events, usually billed as JMJ. The duo began recording (separately at first) after meeting emerging jungle don L.T.J Bukem — Banks with Hyper On Experience and Hurren with JMJ & Richie (as well as the solo project Parallel World). Hurren and Banks' various singles for Rob Playford's Moving Shadow and Bukem's Good Looking — “Montana” and “Universal Horn” as JMJ & Richie, “Thunder Grip” and “Lords of the Null Lines” as Hyper-On Experience, “Second Encounta” and “The Rhodes Tune” as Flytronix — helped write the template for smooth drum’n’bass with plenty of jazz texture but swift rhythms to keep the vibes moving in clubs. After meeting up with vocalist Kelly Richards at one of their gigs, Hurren and Banks decided to form E-Z Rollers around the threesome. Their debut album Weekend World appeared in mid-1996, followed by several additional singles for Moving Shadow and the full-length follow-up Weekend World. Hurren and Banks have also worked on production for Foul Play and Peshay. ~ John Bush