Ultrabeat

Ultrabeat are a British electronic music group from Liverpool, England formed in 2002, originally consisting of vocalist and producer Mike Di Scala and producers Ian Redman and Chris Henry. Ultrabeat first emerged with their cover of Force and Styles featuring Junior song "Pretty Green Eyes", which peaked at number two on the UK Singles Chart 2003. They released further singles including top forty hits such as "Feelin' Fine", "Better than Life" and "Elysium (I Go Crazy)", followed by their début album Ultrabeat: The Album in 2007, which peaked at number eight on the UK Albums Chart

For other uses, see Ultrabeat (disambiguation).

Ultrabeat
Also known as	Hi-Flyerz, WTF!, Steampunk
Origin	Liverpool, England
Genres	Electronic, trance, house, dance
Years active	2002 (2002)–present
Labels	All Around the World
Associated acts	Rezonance Q, N-Force, CamelPhat, Darren Styles
Members	Chris Henry Ian Redman
Past members	Mike Di Scala

In 2008, Ultrabeat released "Discolights", a collaboration with Darren Styles, which peaked at number twenty three on the UK Singles Chart. Their second album The Weekend Has Landed released in 2009 and peaked at number twenty nine on the UK Albums Chart.

History

2002–2003: Formation and early recordings

Prior to forming Ultrabeat, Mike Di Scala, Chris Henry and Ian Redman previously knew each other as they were all disc jockeys in Liverpool and mixed in the same circle of friends. With a common interest in late-1990s happy hardcore music, the group decided to enter studio for recording sessions. Initially, their productions were bootleg versions of old happy hardcore tracks recorded in order to improve their DJ sets.[1] In 2002 Ultrabeat produced their first remixes and the first record by the group was a double A-side 12-inch single "Sonic Burnin'"/"Boomcore" released on label BCD Records in January 2003. Di Scala was previously a member of Rezonance Q, who had chart success with their cover of "Someday" by Mariah Carey. Di Scala played his record label Ultrabeat's demo of "Pretty Green Eyes", a cover of Force & Styles, and following this they were also signed by the label.[2]

2003–2007: Ultrabeat: The Album era

"Pretty Green Eyes" went on to peak at number two on the UK Singles Chart in August 2003, behind "Breathe" by Blu Cantrell featuring Sean Paul. It was playlisted on most radio stations including BBC Radio 1, and was performed live on Top of the Pops.[3] The following single was "Feelin' Fine" which peaked at number twelve on the UK Singles Chart in December 2003. Their next release was "Better than Life", which was issued the following year and peaked at number twenty three on the UK Singles Chart.[4]

The decline of their mainstream popularity came when their next single, "Feel It with Me", was released some ten months after "Better than Life". It peaked at number fifty five on the UK Singles Chart in 2005. An album (originally titled Better than Life: The Album) was expected to be released around this time, although it never materialised, and this upset many fans.[5]

In April 2006 "Elysium (I Go Crazy)" was released, and peaked at number thirty eight on the UK Singles Chart and put Ultrabeat back in the top forty after 17 months. This song, which sampled Scott Brown's "Elysium", featured Rebecca Rudd on vocals for the first time with Ultrabeat. "Elysium (I Go Crazy)" was played on TV music channels more frequently than "Feel It with Me", and became one of their most popular songs. MTV viewers voted it number one on their 'Galaxy Chart'.[6][7]

Their sixth single, "Sure Feels Good", was released in August 2007 and it was a collaboration with Darren Styles. It peaked at number fifty one on the UK Singles Chart. It was the second single featuring Rudd and along with "Elysium (I Go Crazy)" was the second collaboration with another hardcore artist. In September 2007 the band released their album, Ultrabeat: The Album, which peaked at number eight on the UK Albums Chart. At that time band undertook a national tour in support of Cascada (who are also on the AATW label). Their seventh single, "I Wanna Touch You", was released on 4 February 2008.[8] [9]

2008–present: The Weekend Has Landed era

A new single "Discolights" was released in June 2008. In an interview about the upcoming HTID. An original release date of 12 January 2009 was set for the album, but despite this, it has been leaked onto the internet on various file sharing platforms.[10][11][12]

The first single from the album was Discolights. It peaked at number twenty three on the UK Singles Chart. The second single from the album was Never Ever, which did not achieve a peak on the UK Singles Charts. The third single was Starry Eyed Girl, which, like the majority of the album, did not achieve a peak on the UK Singles Chart, and the fourth is Use Somebody, a cover of Kings of Leon's track from their multi-platinum album Only by the Night. The album was released on 26 October 2009 and includes 18 tracks plus a chronology DVD of all of their music videos, including Pretty Green Eyes, Feelin' Fine, The Stalker, Discolights and more.

Following The Weekend Has Landed album, they have released three singles, which were "Bring It Back" and "You Will See" and "Rising". A new song "Rain Stops" appeared on Clubland X-Treme Hardcore 9 in 2013.

Other projects

The group produced a track called "Pumpanola" using the alias Hi-Flyerz which appeared on Clubland X-Treme in 2003. In 2012, they had a hit single with "Da Bop" using the alias WTF!, which samples the 1967 song "Our Neighbour" (Russian: "Наш сосед" nash sosed) by Russian singer Edita Piekha. Two songs recorded by the group using the name Steampunk, "Loki's Theme" and "Forever Loved", appeared on Clubland X-Treme Hardcore 9 in 2013.

Di Scala, Henry and Lee Butler recorded using several aliases such as 3 Amigos, King of Clubs and The Tranceriffs on BCD Records. Di Scala has also released music as CamelPhat with Dave Whelan. Chris Henry and Mike Di Scala have also recorded using the name M&C Project, releasing songs "Coming Back" (2005), a cover of Siedah Garrett's "Do You Want It Right Now" (2006) and "Magic Touch" (2007). Chris Henry is also a member of N-Force, with Jorg Schmid.

Members

• Ian Redman – disc jockey, producer (2002–present)
• Chris Henry – disc jockey, producer (2002–present)
• Mike Di Scala – vocals, producer (2002–2013)

Discography

Studio albums

Title	Album details	Peak chart positions		Certifications
		UK [13]	IRE [14]
Ultrabeat: The Album	Released: 10 September 2007 Label: All Around the World Formats: CD, digital download	8	51	BPI: Gold[15]
The Weekend Has Landed	Released: 26 October 2009 Label: All Around the World, Universal Music TV Formats: CD+DVD, digital download	29	—
"—" denotes releases that did not chart or were not released in that country.

Singles

Title	Year	Peak chart positions							Certifications	Album
		UK [13]	UK Dance	AUT [16]	BEL [17]	IRE [14]	NL [16]	SCO
"Sonic Burnin'" / "Boomcore"[18]	2003	—	—	—	—	—	—	—		Non-album single
"Pretty Green Eyes"[19]		2	1	—	56	7	37	1	BPI: Plantinum[15]	Ultrabeat: The Album
"Feelin' Fine"[20]		12	1	—	—	26	35	8
"Better than Life"[21]	2004	23	2	—	65	34	51	15
"Feel It with Me"[22]	2005	57	3	—	—	—	—	37
"Elysium (I Go Crazy)"[23] (vs. Scott Brown)	2006	35	4	—	—	40	—	13
"Sure Feels Good"[24] (vs. Darren Styles)	2007	52	5	—	—	—	—	24
"I Wanna Touch You"[25]	2008	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
"Discolights"[26] (vs. Darren Styles)		23	2	—	—	28	—	4		The Weekend Has Landed
"Never Ever"[27]	2009	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
"Starry Eyed Girl"[28]		—	—	—	—	—	—	—
"Use Somebody"[29]		100	40	—	—	—	—	—
"Bring It Back"[30]	2011	—	—	—	—	—	—	—		Non-album singles
"You Will See"[31] (vs. Hypasonic)	2012	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
"Da Bop"[32] (as WTF!)		—	—	63	—	—	4	—
"The Sway"[33] (as WTF!)		—	—	—	—	—	—	—
"Rising"[34]		—	—	—	—	—	—	—
"Pretty Green Eyes 2013"[35]	2013	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
"—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory.

Remixes

Title	Year	Artist(s)
"Loud and Proud" (Ultrabeat remix)[18]	2002	Brooklyn Bounce
"I Believe in Love" (Ultrabeat remix)[18]		Cooper
"See Me Here" (Ultrabeat remix)[18]		Orion
"When I Call Your Name" (Ultrabeat remix)[18]	2003	Haifa
"If You Leave Me Now" (Ultrabeat remix)[36]		The System presents Kerri B
"Crazy Sexy Marvellous" (Ultrabeat remix)[18]		Paffendorf
"(I Just) Died in Your Arms" (Ultrabeat remix)[18]		Resource
"I'll Be Your Angel" (Ultrabeat remix)[18]		Kira
"Magic Fly" (Ultrabeat remix)[18]		Minimalistix
"Overload" (Ultrabeat remix)[37]		VooDoo & Serano
"Passion" (Ultrabeat remix)[18]		Amen! UK
"Maria (I Like It Loud)" (Ultrabeat remix)[18]		Scooter vs. Marc Acardipane & Dick Rules
"Come & Fly with Me" (Ultrabeat remix)[18]		Element
"Paradise & Dreams" (Ultrabeat remix)[18]		The Force
"Welcome to Tomorrow" (Ultrabeat remix)[18]		Miss Peppermint
"Irish Blue" (Ultrabeat remix)[38]	2004	Flip & Fill featuring Junior
"Look at Us" (Ultrabeat remix)[39]		Northern Heightz
"Come into My Dream" (Ultrabeat remix)[40]		Foggy
"It's Over Now" (Ultrabeat remix)[41]	2005	Big Ang featuring Siobhan
"Easy" (Ultrabeat remix)[18]	2006	Sugababes
"I Will Love Again" (Ultrabeat remix)[42]	2007	Kelly Llorenna
"Rise Again" (Ultrabeat remix)[18]		Breeze vs. Lost Witness
"About You Now" (Ultrabeat remix)[18]		Sugababes
"Show Me Heaven" (Ultrabeat remix)[18]		Micky Modelle vs. Jessy
"What Hurts the Most" (Ultrabeat remix)[43]		Cascada
"Headbone Connected" (Ultrabeat remix)[44]		Maximum Spell
"Piece of Heaven" (Ultrabeat remix)[18]	2008	Beatplayers featuring Lara McAllen
"Right by Your Side" (Ultrabeat remix)[45]		N-Force vs. Darren Styles
"Gotta Tell You" (Ultrabeat remix)[46]		Micky Modelle vs. Samantha Mumba
"What Is Happening" (Alphabeat vs. Ultrabeat)[18]		Alphabeat
"True Faith" (Ultrabeat remix)[18]		Liz Kay
"Burning Love" (Ultrabeat remix)[18]		Katie Jewels
"Hold Me Tonight" (Ultrabeat remix)[18]		Manian
"Apologize" (Ultrabeat remix)[18]		Dee Grees vs. The Real Booty Babes
"Everywhere" (Ultrabeat remix)[18]	2009	Master Blaster
"Blade (Phatt Bass)" (Ultrabeat remix)[18]		Ali Payami vs. Aquagen featuring Warp Brothers
"Strong Again" (Ultrabeat remix)[18]		N-Dubz
"I'll Be There" (Ultrabeat remix)[18]		Stunt
"Evacuate the Dancefloor" (Ultrabeat remix)[47]		Cascada
"Fight for this Love" (Ultrabeat remix)[18]		Cheryl Cole
"Boys and Girls" (Ultrabeat remix)[18]		Pixie Lott
"Do You Know" (Ultrabeat remix)[18]		eSQUIRE & Di Scala featuring Ruth Cullen
"If You Were Mine" (Ultrabeat remix)[18]		Alex K
"Sound without a Name" (Ultrabeat remix)[18]	2010	Darren Styles
"Broken Arrow" (Ultrabeat remix)[18]		Pixie Lott
"Together" (Ultrabeat remix)[48]		Pet Shop Boys
"Girls" (Ultrabeat remix)[49]	2011	N-Dubz
"30 Days" (Ultrabeat remix)[18]	2012	The Saturdays

Music videos

Title	Year	Director(s)
"Pretty Green Eyes"	2003	Jamie Balliu[50]
"Feelin' Fine"
"Better than Life"	2004	Tom King[51][52]
"Feel It with Me"	2005
"Elysium (I Go Crazy)" (vs. Scott Brown)	2006	Mike Cockayne[53]
"Sure Feels Good" (vs. Darren Styles)	2007	Kevin Hewitt[54]
"Megamix"		Various
"I Wanna Touch You"		Kevin Hewitt[55]
"Discolights" (vs. Darren Styles)	2008	Paul Boyd[56]
"Never Ever"		Andy Soup[57]
"The Stalker"	2009	Iain Titterington[58]
"Starry Eyed Girl"
"Don't Wanna Let Go" (vs. Darren Styles)		Michael Holdaway[59]
"Use Somebody"		Graham Hector[60]
"Megamix Part 2"	2010	Various
"Bring It Back"
"Waiting for a Girl Like You"	2011
"Da Bop" (as WTF!)	2012
"The Sway" (as WTF!)		Lina Schütze[61]
"Rising"		Ben Peters[62]

References

1. "Clubland Podcast April 2007". UMTV/AATW. Retrieved 20 April 2007.
2. "AATW Ultrabeat Artist Page". AATW. Archived from the original on 28 September 2007. Retrieved 16 October 2007.
3. BBC.co.uk
4. "AATW Ultrabeat Artist Page". AATW. Archived from the original on 28 September 2007. Retrieved 16 October 2007.
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6. "Ultrabeat". All Around The World. Archived from the original on 28 September 2007. Retrieved 30 April 2007.
7. "Ultrabeat Top the Galaxy Chart". MTV. Archived from the original on 20 September 2007. Retrieved 2007-10-19.
8. "Ultrabeat v Darren Styles - Sure Feels Good". All Around The World. Archived from the original on 10 August 2007. Retrieved 4 August 2007.
9. "Clubland AATW Ultrabeat Artist Page". AATW. Archived from the original on 28 September 2007. Retrieved 2 November 2007.
10. Amazon.co.uk. "Disco Lights: Ultrabeat". Retrieved 28 November 2008.
11. "Clubland Podcast October 2007". UMTV/AATW. Retrieved 29 October 2007.
12. "Re-Con & Squad-E Interview". YouTube. Retrieved 4 June 2008.
13. "Ultrabeat". The Official Charts Company. Retrieved 7 June 2019.
14. "Ultrabeat - Music Charts". achart.us. Retrieved 6 August 2009.
15. "BRIT Certified - bpi" (To access, enter the search parameter "Ultrabeat" and select "Search by Keyword"). British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved 31 August 2018.
16. dutchcharts.nl
    • For Ultrabeat singles: "Discografie Ultrabeat". Retrieved 5 August 2009.
    • For WTF! singles: "Discografie WTF!". Retrieved 5 August 2009.
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26. "Discolights by Ultrabeat vs. Darren Styles". iTunes Store (UK). Retrieved 7 June 2019.
27. "Never Ever - EP von Ultrabeat". iTunes Store (DE). Retrieved 7 June 2019.
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30. "Ultrabeat Downloads at Trackitdown". trackitdown.net. Archived from the original on 29 December 2011. Retrieved 7 June 2019.
31. "You Will See (Ultrabeat vs. Hypasonic) - Single by Ultrabeat & Hypasonic". iTunes Store (UK). Retrieved 7 June 2019.
32. "Da Bop (Remixes) - EP von by WTF!". iTunes Store (DE). Retrieved 7 June 2019.
33. "The Sway (Remixes) - EP von WTF!". iTunes Store (DE). Retrieved 7 June 2019.
34. "Rising by Ultrabeat". iTunes Store (UK). Retrieved 7 June 2019.
35. "Pretty Green Eyes 2013 by Ultrabeat". iTunes Store (UK). Retrieved 7 June 2019.
36. "If You Leave Me Now (The System Presents Kerri B) - Single by Kerri B". iTunes Store (UK). Retrieved 7 June 2019.
37. "Overload by Voodoo & Serano". iTunes Store (UK). Retrieved 7 June 2019.
38. "Irish Blue (feat. Junior) - EP by Flip & Fill". iTunes Store (UK). Retrieved 7 June 2019.
39. "Look At Us (Ultrabeat Remix) by Northern Heightz". iTunes Store (UK). Retrieved 7 June 2019.
40. "Look At Us by Noerthern Heightz". iTunes Store (UK). Retrieved 7 June 2019.
41. "It's Over Now (Bonus Track Version)[Remixes][feat. Siobhan] - Single by Big Ang". iTunes Store (UK). Retrieved 7 June 2019.
42. "I Will Love Again by Kelly Llorenna". iTunes Store (UK). Retrieved 7 June 2019.
43. "What Hurts the Most by Cascada". iTunes Store (UK). Retrieved 7 June 2019.
44. "Headbone Connected by Maximum Spell". iTunes Store (UK). Retrieved 7 June 2019.
45. "Right By Your Side by N-Force vs. Darren Styles". iTunes Store (UK). Retrieved 7 June 2019.
46. "Gotta Tell You by Micky Modelle vs. Smantha Mumba". iTunes Store (UK). Retrieved 7 June 2019.
47. "Evacuate the Dancefloor - EP by Cascada". iTunes Store (UK). Retrieved 7 June 2019.
48. "Together - Single by Pet Shop Boys". iTunes Store (UK). Retrieved 7 June 2019.
49. "Girls by N-Dubz". iTunes Store (UK). Retrieved 7 June 2019.
50. "Jennifer Chapman Choreographer Credits". Archived from the original on 4 August 2007. Retrieved 7 June 2019.
51. "Joe Dyer - Director of Photography". Archived from the original on 11 June 2013. Retrieved 8 June 2019.
52. "Marcus Domleo Director of Photography" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 14 October 2009. Retrieved 7 June 2019.
53. "Ultrabeat artist videography". Retrieved 7 June 2019.
54. "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 31 March 2012. Retrieved 14 October 2011.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
55. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 31 March 2012. Retrieved 7 June 2019.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
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58. "CV". Archived from the original on 9 December 2013. Retrieved 7 June 2019.
59. http://www.channels.com/episodes/8251573%5B%5D
60. "Sarah Lamber, Dancer, London". Mandy. Retrieved 8 June 2019.
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External links

• Ultrabeat at AllMusic