Trace

DJ Trace is one of the producers who helped launch the Techstep side of Drum 'n' Bass via the No U-Turn label with fellow D 'n' B producers Nico and Ed Rush. Trace, aka Duncan Hutchinson, was first featured on the 1995 compilation Techsteppin', released by Emotif Records. His early style was more on the Artcore/Jazz 'n' Bass side, though the trademark elements of Techstep -- the growly, howling bassline, frenetic breakbeats and riveting tension -- were already there, but had yet to be developed. From 1996 to 1998, Trace enjoyed a fruitful career as a DJ and producer, releasing a number of memorable tracks such as "Amtrak/Squadron,'' ''The Return Of The Mutant,'' ''Cells'' and ''Sonar.'' Trace was also featured on a number of popular compilations, including LTJ Bukem's Logical Progression, Fabio's Promised Land, Volume 2 and numerous others. Trace is still considered an influential artist today and continues to produce challenging music.