Ben Westbeech (born 17 April 1981), also known as Breach, is a British DJ and record producer originating from Hertfordshire who spent his formative musical years in Bristol.[1][2] Trained as cellist and vocalist, his influences include house, soul, jazz and hip hop.[3]
Music career
Early career: 2007–08
Westbeech gave a CD containing his first single "So Good Today" to a friend in London. Two months later she played it to Gilles Peterson who snapped it up.[citation needed] This led to him being signed to Gilles Peterson's new label, Brownswood Recordings. His debut album Welcome to the Best Years of Your Life was released in March 2007.[4] He later appeared on Later... with Jools Holland alongside Paul McCartney and Björk. He also appeared on the track "Squeeze Me" on Kraak & Smaak's album Plastic People, released in April 2008.[5]
There's More To Life Than This: 2009–11
More recently, he appeared on the track "I Can See", which was the main single for Jazzanova's album titled Of All The Things, released in January 2009 on Verve/Universal. Ben also sang on the song "Shame" for DJ Marky and Artificial Intelligence. Westbeech is working with Professor Green (producing for his new record), Kutz (Soul Jazz), Redlight (Lobster Boy) and Rusko (Mad Decent). He released his second album, There's More To Life Than This on Strictly Rhythm in September 2011.[6] The record features collaborators including Soul Clap, Henrik Schwarz, MJ Cole, Motor City Drum Ensemble and Georg Levin.[citation needed] Westbeech described it as "house inspired, rather than straight up house music".[7] Westbeech also produces and DJs under the moniker Breach.[8] Under the "Breach" moniker, he produced the track "Fatherless" released on PTN in 2010.[9] Breach has released music on Claude VonStroke's Dirtybird label and Pet's (Catz n Dogz' label). Westbeech also wrote the vocal for Redlight's Breakthrough hit "Get Out My Head" featuring Nicole Jackson. He also owns the record label "Naked Naked" which releases tracks from Breach, Midland, Dusky and Dark Sky.[10]
2013–present: Breakthrough
In June 2013, Westbeech's remix of Maya Jane Coles' "Everything" featuring Karin Park was released through I/AM/ME.[11]
Breach teamed up with American singer-songwriter Kelis on the track "The Key", which was released on 14 December 2014, the week of the UK Christmas singles chart race; the single however failed to chart.[12]
