New school meets the golden era as Ben Sterling makes his Oblong Records debut

Championing his own sound and direction at the helm of Planet X, Ben Sterling is continuing to grow and evolve as an artist commanding respect from the scene’s elite, whether that be Marco Carola and Jamie Jones through to Solomun and Damian Lazarus. A leader of the UK’s new school, his sound often brings influences of the past, and he now opens 2024 in style as he makes his Oblong Records debut with three classy cuts paying homage to the golden era of UK tech house. Landing across a special release to kick start the year is the release of ‘Step Forward’, an ode to the late great Nathan Coles, accompanied by a remix from legendary label head honcho, Bushwacka!.

“From the time that I started really getting into dance music, I’ve always been inspired by UK tech house and its early beginnings. Artists like Nathan Coles, Terry Francis and Bushwacka! shaped the way that I listen to dance music, what I play and what I produce.

My productions have always been a product of what was going on in my life during that time. When I heard about the passing of Nathan, I started making a lot of Wiggle Records-inspired tracks, and this gem called ‘Step Forward’ came out of those studio sessions. I am delighted to be able to release it with Matthew on Oblong as a tribute to the creators and Nathan’s incredible life and career.” - Ben Sterling.

The title track ‘Step Forward’ is a peak-time rolling groover merging moody basslines, slick percussion and trippy vocals, with the track then flipped into a tough and impactful breaks-laced remix by label boss Bushwacka!. On the B-side, two more originals emerge as Sterling delivers two further late-night floor fillers in the wonky ‘Outtaspace’ and the slinking ‘Derp-Ous’, which definitely wouldn’t be out of place at Coles’ iconic Wiggle parties.

Ben Sterling ‘Step Forward’ EP drops via Oblong Records on 26th January 2024, with the vinyl release to follow in February.

PRE-ORDER 'STEP FORWARD' EP HERE