By Azzam Bilal 
HangupsMusic.com – Manchester, as the rhythmic pulse of the North prepares for a weekend of high-velocity syncopation and sub-bass exploration, few names command as much reverence as DJ EZ. A titan of the UK garage (UKG) scene for over three decades, EZ—born Otis Roberts—remains the gold standard for technical proficiency and selection. His journey from the pirate radio booths of North London in the late 1980s to the headline slots of the world’s most prestigious festivals is not merely a career trajectory; it is the history of the genre itself. This week, as he joins forces with NTS and Johnnie Walker for the "Keep Walking Live" series in Manchester, EZ has pulled back the curtain on his digital crates, offering a curated look at the tracks that define the past, present, and future of his signature sound.
The landscape of UK electronic music has shifted many times since EZ first touched a pair of turntables. He witnessed the birth of the garage sound as it branched away from American house imports, evolving into a uniquely British phenomenon characterized by swing, soul, and a relentless energy. During the mid-2000s, when the genre’s mainstream popularity waned and the spotlight shifted toward the grittier textures of grime and the half-step weight of dubstep, many of the scene’s original pioneers pivoted. EZ did not. Instead, he became a guardian of the groove, maintaining a relentless touring schedule and refining a technical style that turned the CDJ into a percussive instrument. His legendary "Pure Garage" compilations became the definitive documents of the era, and his marathon sets—including a 24-hour charity broadcast—cemented his status as a tireless ambassador for the culture.
In his latest selection, EZ bridges the generational gap, presenting five "nu-skool" weapons alongside five "old-skool" foundations. This duality is central to his enduring relevance; an EZ set is never a mere nostalgia trip. It is a dialogue between the pioneers who laid the groundwork and the new wave of producers who are currently deconstructing those very foundations.
The contemporary half of his selection highlights the global reach and stylistic diversity of modern UKG. He points toward Lockerz’s "Talk About It" on PullUp Recordings as a recent staple, a track that exemplifies the crisp production and infectious vocal hooks that define the current era. Similarly, the Charlie Shell remix of Eloquin’s "Left Right Left" represents the cross-continental exchange within the scene, coming from an Australian producer but carrying the unmistakable weight of the British underground. EZ’s endorsement of Bushbaby & ELOQ’s "Breaka Breaka" reinforces the resurgence of the 4×4 garage style—a high-energy, driving alternative to the more syncopated 2-step rhythms.
EZ also shines a light on the atmospheric side of the modern sound with hiRobbie’s "Taste," a track he describes as a "mid-set dark roller." This selection illustrates his mastery of set pacing, using moodier, tension-building tracks to prepare the dancefloor for an inevitable explosion of energy. Rounding out the modern picks is Clarcq’s "Do It 2 Me," a track that harkens back to the classic 2-step shuffle while utilizing contemporary textures, proving that the fundamental architecture of garage remains as effective as ever.
To understand EZ’s current mastery, one must look at the "vaults" he frequently raids. His selection of classic anthems serves as a masterclass in the genre’s history. Among the most significant is the "Sample Choir" EP by Todd Edwards. For EZ, this record was the catalyst. Before fully immersing himself in garage, he was a student of techno, house, and the frantic energy of the hardcore rave scene. Hearing the "Toddler" sound—characterized by Edwards’ intricate, cut-up vocal sampling and swinging percussion—redirected EZ’s musical path entirely. It was the moment he realized that garage offered a complexity and soulfulness that resonated with his technical sensibilities.
The selection also pays homage to the era of major-label interest in the late 90s and early 2000s. Box Clever’s "Talk To Me," an alias for the legendary MJ Cole, represents the peak of garage’s sophisticated "2-step" era. MJ Cole’s classically trained background brought a level of harmonic depth to the genre that allowed it to transition from the basement to the FM airwaves without losing its underground credibility. Similarly, the Landslide remix of London Elektricity’s "Round The Corner" serves as a reminder of the genre’s fluid boundaries, sitting comfortably on the legendary drum and bass label Hospital Records while delivering a pure garage groove.
No retrospective of the UKG sound would be complete without acknowledging the influence of the United States. EZ’s inclusion of the MK (Marc Kinchen) mix of R-Tyme’s "Use Me" highlights the pivotal role that American house producers played in the early development of the London sound. MK’s trademark vocal chops and heavy basslines provided the blueprint that British producers would eventually warp and speed up to create garage. Rounding out the classics is the Dem2 "Don’t Cry Dub Mix" of Groove Connektion 2’s "Club Lonely." Dem2 are often cited as the architects of the darker, more rhythmic "speed garage" and 2-step sounds, and this particular dub mix remains a favorite for EZ’s technical "cutting and chopping" style.
The context of EZ’s Manchester appearance is equally significant. The "Keep Walking Live" series, a collaboration between NTS Radio and Johnnie Walker, is designed to celebrate the resilience and heritage of local clubbing cultures. Manchester has long been a second home for garage and bass music, with a lineage that stretches from the Hacienda to modern institutions like SOUP and Eastern Bloc. By performing alongside a new generation of Manchester-based talent—including the versatile Anz and the prolific Finn—EZ is participating in a symbolic passing of the torch, though his own flame shows no signs of flickering.
Anz, in particular, shares EZ’s penchant for high-tempo, genre-blurring sets, making their pairing at SOUP a significant moment for the city’s nightlife. The event serves as a reminder that while the tools of the trade have evolved from vinyl to digital, the core requirements of a world-class DJ remain unchanged: an encyclopedic knowledge of music, an intuitive connection with the crowd, and the technical ability to weave disparate sounds into a cohesive narrative.
Beyond the DJ booth, EZ continues to influence the scene through his NUVOLVE label. The imprint has become a vital hub for both established names and emerging artists, ensuring that the "nu-skool" tracks he champions in his sets have a permanent home. This commitment to the future of the genre is what separates EZ from his peers. He is not content to simply play the hits; he is actively involved in the curation and promotion of the next wave of talent.
As the UK garage scene enjoys another massive resurgence—driven by a new generation of clubbers discovering the swing and soul of the 90s—DJ EZ stands as the bridge between eras. His ten essential anthems are more than just a list of songs; they are the DNA of a movement. From the pirate radio frequencies of his youth to the high-definition sound systems of today, EZ’s mission has remained consistent: to push the boundaries of what is possible within the 130 BPM framework. Whether it is a "stone-cold classic" from 1998 or a "firing UKG/bass hybrid" from 2024, if it has the swing, the soul, and the EZ seal of approval, it is guaranteed to move the floor. In Manchester and beyond, the legend of EZ continues to grow, one reload at a time.