J. Saul Kane

J. Saul Kane
Birth nameJonathan Saul Kane
Also known as
  • Depth Charge
  • The Octagon Man
Born(1967-01-26)26 January 1967
OriginLondon, England
Died12 July 2024(2024-07-12) (aged 57)
Genres
Occupations
  • Musician
  • DJ
  • producer
Years active1989–2024
Labels

Jonathan Saul Kane (26 January 1967 – 12 July 2024) was a British DJ, musician, and producer who released music from 1987 as Depth Charge and The Octagon Man, amongst other aliases. He was involved in the founding of record label Vinyl Solution, as well as owner of his own labels DC Recordings and Electron Industries.[1][2][3][4]

Kane was well known for his pioneering use of samples, particularly from cult films in the martial arts, Spaghetti Western and pornographic genres.[1] He also made tracks celebrating his favourite football team (Brazil on the 1990 single "Goal") and player (on the 1998 single "Romário").[1] Kane was often credited with inventing "trip hop" and "big beat";[5] he used kung-fu film samples before Wu-Tang Clan. His other aliases include Alexander's Dark Band, T.E.T and Grimm Death.[1]

As a confirmed kung-fu film fan, Kane was involved in setting up the company Made in Hong Kong, which licensed Chinese movies, particularly those made by the Shaw Brothers. Many of these films are examples of the heroic bloodshed genre (The Killer, A Moment of Romance). Made in Hong Kong was the first company to release Stephen Chow films on VHS in the UK.[6]

Although news of his death was not publicised until November 2024,[7][8] Kane died on 12 July 2024, at the age of 57 from complications of diabetes and multiple sclerosis.[9]

Discography

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as Depth Charge

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Albums

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Notable singles

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  • "Depth Charge / Bounty Killers" (Vinyl Solution, 1989) (Bounty Killers reached UK No. 84)
  • "Goal / Dead By Dawn" (Vinyl Solution, 1990)
  • "Depth Charge vs. Silver Fox" (Vinyl Solution, 1991)
  • "Bounty Killer II" (Vinyl Solution, 1992)
  • "Hubba Hubba Hubba" (Vinyl Solution, 1994)
  • "Legend of the Golden Snake EP / Shaolin Buddha Finger" (DC Recordings, 1995) (UK No. 75)
  • "Sex, Sluts and Heaven" (R&S Records, 1996)
  • "Disko Vixen / Alien / Airlines" (DC Recordings, 1997)
  • "Romario / Blue Lipps" (DC Recordings, 1998)
  • "Bounty Killer 3" (DC Recordings, 1999)
  • "The Goblin" (DC Recordings, 2000)
  • "I Dream (Depth Charge Vs. The Octagon Man)" (DC Recordings, 2003)
  • "Mecha Squirrel" (DC Recordings, 2009)

as The Octagon Man

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Albums

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  • The Exciting World of the Octagon Man (Electron Industries, 1995)
  • Ito Calculus (DC Recordings, 2000)
  • Magneton (DC Recordings, 2003)

Notable singles

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  • "Free-er Than Free" (Vinyl Solution, 1989)
  • "The Demented Spirit" (Vinyl Solution, 1990)
  • "Biting the Dragon's Tail" (Electron Industries, 1995)
  • "The Rimm / Phonic Maze" (Electron Industries, 1996)
  • "10ft Flowers" (Electron Industries, 1997)
  • "Vidd / Zedd" (Electron Industries, 1998)
  • "Toy Boxx (The Octagon Man vs. Depth Charge)" (DC Recordings, 2000)

Notable remixes

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References

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  1. ^ a b c d Colin Larkin, ed. (2000). The Virgin Encyclopedia of Nineties Music (First ed.). Virgin Books. p. 120. ISBN 0-7535-0427-8.
  2. ^ "DC Recordings: High Voltage". XLR8. 21 September 2006.
  3. ^ "DC Recordings". DCrecordings.com. Archived from the original on 9 July 2011.
  4. ^ "Archive: J Saul Kane interview June 2000". Consultthismusic.wordpress.com. 24 January 2010.
  5. ^ Piers Martin (13 November 1999). "J Saul Kane - NME, Nov. '99". Phinnweb.org.
  6. ^ Andy Crysell (14 March 1998). "J Saul Kane - NME, Mar. '98". Phinnweb.org.
  7. ^ "Dance world mourns death of breakbeat pioneer J Saul Kane". Juno. 19 November 2024.
  8. ^ "J Saul Kane, aka trip-hop pioneer Depth Charge, dies aged 55". DJ Mag. 19 November 2024.
  9. ^ "Obituary: J. Saul Kane". Record Of the Day. 27 November 2024.
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