Simon's career in the music industry began in 1982; deciding he wasn't having much luck with the laydeez and discovering his record collection was growing to rather large proportions, he did what any self respecting vinyl junky and industry blagger would do: started DJing - playing for his friends and promoting soul and funk nights at his local bar in West London.
From there he began promoting nights around London and spinning rare soul records up and down the country. He has since managed to DJ from the legendary Southport (has played there for the past 15 years), first played in Ibiza in 1985 (when it was good etc, etcÂ…), plays all over the world, and has DJed alongside Roger Sanchez, Norman Jay, Bob Jones and Gilles PetersonÂ…amongst many others.
However DJing and promoting is not Simon's only musical interest, few (quite a large 'few') may be aware, that he now holds the position of Defected's Managing and A&R Director and has done so since 1999. How then, did he progress from being a promoter come DJ, with a pint of lager in one hand and a few rare soul tunes in the other - to acquire the respected position he holds today?
From 87 to 89 Simon worked behind the counter at the Record and Disco Centre in Rayners Lane (London), whilst producing a fanzine: The London Soul Circular, which was basically a couple of pages of photocopied, cut and paste reviews and charts! As a result he began writing a monthly column for Blues and Soul and caused such a stir that a death threat was sent to the offices because he suggested that CeCe Rogers' 'Someday' could be a soul record and should be played as such on the scene.
He joined Cooltempo records in December 89 and during the five years there promoted Adeva, Innocence, Arrested Development, Gangstar and Shara Nelson... He also signed Juliet Roberts, Masters at Work produced Love and Happiness (with India on vocals) and remixed tracks under the guise Touchdown - working with Steve Mac (not the Rhythm Masters one but the one that now produces Boyzone / Westlife etc) and Gerald Elms of Guitara G fame.
In 95 Simon Moved to AM:PM, signing Ultra Nate, Mousse T, Alcatraz and Farley and Heller, whilst also being responsible for the remixes of A&M's main roster - Janet Jackson, Sting and the Police and the Sounds of Blackness.
In 1999, Simon left AM:PM to start his own Label: Defected Records. Since his first release: Soulsearcher's Can't Get Enough - reaching number eight in the national charts. He has signed such artists as: Junior Jack, Paul Johnson, OnePhatDeeva, King Unique, Astrotrax, Ministers De La Funk, Soulsearcher, Bob Sinclar, ATFC, Johnny Corporate, Loleatta Holloway, Junior Jack, Dajae, Dubtribe Soundsystem, Kings of Tomorrow, Kathy Brown, Banda Sonora, Shakedown and of course Roger Sanchez - the artist with which Simon scored his first ever number one signing - Another Chance. Other than Defected, Simon also oversees - Fluential, the darker sister label to Defected.
You could say he has a good ear for music I suppose...
