“We play sounds with worldwide appeal. You can drop them from Portugal to Australia to Japan. It’s soulful house music with a global vibe.”

It’s been a busy time for London based DJ/production duo Sam Holt and Gavin Mills – aka Copyright – since the release of their debut album ‘Visions And Voices’ last year.

The album went on to be Traxsource’s album of the year and saw the boys tour the world supporting its release, including a magical, a five hour back-to-back set with DJ Spen at MOS in London and a huge launch party in Japan.

“I suppose the favourite gig was the Japanese album launch party,” says Sam. “It was an absolute roadblock and [long-time vocal contributor] Imaani joined us for an amazing live PA. Bizarrely, there were even Japanese girls in front of the stage actually crying with joy! Totally mad.”

And there’s to be no laurel-perching for Copyright in 2009. Along with Junior Jack, ATFC, the Shapeshifter and Simon Dunmore, they’re to be Defected’s Pacha Ibiza residents and have been selected to mix the Ibiza In The House 2009 album – one of Defected’s biggest-selling albums and a taster of the sounds you’ll hear at the label’s Ibiza parties. The album also features a world first, live percussion on a mix album, courtesy of rhythm king Shovell.

Look out for the upcoming relaunch of Copyright Recordings later this year with tracks featuring Jocelyn Brown, Mr V and many more plus the boys’ debut release entitled ‘Ready or Not’ on the legendary Strictly Rhythm label. Producing Strictly’s hot new female vocalist Yasmeen, the track is a tough, dancefloor r’n’b number and is a glimpse of the versatility of Gavin and Sam’s production ability. Here’s hoping we get an eyeful in the months to come.

Copyright dropped their first proper release on the hugely influential US label Soulfuric back in 2000. The boys proceeded to put out a slew of quality tracks on that and several other labels (including their own imprint, Copyright Recordings) in the early noughties, building their reputation and fan base in the process.

Tracks like ‘Good For You’ feat Angie Brown, ‘Bulo’ with longtime friend and percussion collaborator Shovell and ‘Release Yourself’ set the pace, while their move to Defected in 2005 saw them jump up a gear with tracks like ‘He Is’, ‘Bring Me Love’ and ‘I Pray’. The international recognition they received from these releases culminated in Defected boss Simon Dunmore asking Copyright to mix the 2007 ‘Miami In The House’ compilation. Distilling the Copyright sound while showcasing their mixing prowess and nose for what makes a great party, it went on to sell more than 30, 000 copies globally.

Then, in 2008 they truly jumped to the next level with the release of their debut album, ‘Voices and Visions’. An assured collection of soulful house, classic song writing, with latin, afrobeat, disco, funk and tech influences, it featured outstanding vocal performances from a stellar cast of collaborators and propelled Copyright into the super league of global house players.

Sublimely blending their trademark soulful sound with a host of other influences, ‘Voices and Visions’ is a reflection of their varied and universally-appealing DJ sets, with contributions from K.C. Flightt, Mr V, Miss Patty, Jazzie B and longtime cohorts Shovell, Imaani and Tasita D’mour.

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