b. Edgware, London, England. DJ Sparks emerged in the early years of the twenty-first century as one of the rising stars of the UK breakbeat scene. His style is commonly referred to as ‘cinematic breakbeat’, a sub-genre spawned from the natural progression of breakbeat throughout its development as a credible form of music. His layered sound is somewhat detached from the usual agitated breakbeat arrangements, and has a more mood-enhancing feel, with the DJ citing influences as diverse as My Bloody Valentine, Miles Davis and Portishead. Sparks’ debut offering ‘Left To Live For’ was released by Botchit & Scarper Recordings in late 1998, and was followed in 2000 by ‘Our People’ on the Urban Funk Breaks EP. The Jason Sparks EP and collaborations with Atomic Hooligan and Rachel Modest followed before Sparks finally released his album debut in March 2004. Cinematic, melancholy and energizing, Heroes And Villains received critical acclaim from breakbeat luminaries Tayo, Ali B and B.L.I.M., as well as BBC Radio 1 disc jockeys John Peel and Annie Nightingale.