The Rurals - England has someone that they can feel proud of within the world of Deep House music.

The music of Deep House was created within the country that is the USA. In fact, the city of Chicago, USA to be precise.

And if you wanted to pin it down to an individual - it would have to be Larry Heard or the group that he was in at the time called - Fingers Inc. 

Since the creation of the music from the city of Chicago - the music's appeal has spread over to other areas of the USA - such as New York, Detriot, New Jersey, and San Franciso - and then has since taken hold within the UK, Europe, Russia and South Africa (especially South Africa).

However, if there was ever one group that I could put forward from the UK, to join the rank and file of other artists from all over the world to compete and put down credible music for this particular music. It would be - The Rurals.

The Rurals are a group from the UK that should have by now achieved International media acclaim by now.
But for some reason or another things haven't worked out that way.

Andy Compton and Marie Tweak were original members of the group that is known as The Rurals which is still operational today.

I remember listening to the group for the very first time during the year 2000. The single in question was called "Lush". A Beautiful slice of Deep House music played together with some equally beautiful vocals that were/are from the group's vocalist at the time that was Marie Tweak.

The Rurals - "Lush"- 2000 

It was from listening to that single alone above. That it made it my personal quest to search for and continue to follow this group musically over the following years. Here is another...

The Rurals - Rebel - 2007

The Rurals are originally from an area within the Uk called Devon - however, they are based in the city of BRISTOL, UK.

However, it was when Andy Compton who was in a funk/rock group at the time; and then decided to move to Nottingham,

here in England. That his musical tastes changed. Nottingham was an area in the UK that took to the music of

Deep House music. Impressed by the area's love of music. He decided to experiment and try to produce their versions of Deep House.

It seems that Andy met Marie Tweak (the group's main vocalist at the time) through a friend called Jan, who owned a
record shop at the time called "Reform" - which was based in the town of Exeter, here in the UK.

It was to be a masterstroke for the group as Marie went on to join the group. From then on now had a brilliant vocalist in the form of
Marie Tweak sings over the music that the group that was The Rurals had made. She also wrote the lyrics to most of the tracks that she was to sing over.

Andy has confessed that there is no magical formula when it comes to creating the music that they go about making
the music that they have become famous for.

It is a simple case of jamming together as a group within their own studio or various other studios, And by doing this they would come up with a groove or the music beat in general.

Once that has been achieved then they go about putting together lyrics to the music that they have in general.

The group has become known for making:
1. Deep House music
2. Future Soul music
3. Soulful House music
4. Acid Jazz music

This combination and various styles of music that they have been making over the years has gained them a worldwide following. Since the creation of
The Rurals in 1994. The group has made over 80 eps and 14 long-playing albums in the process.

I have spoken to Andy, more so than Marie over the years concerning his attitudes to the music, The Rurals, and other things over the years.

And one thing that seems to come to mind is his absolute love of making and creating new music. That has never left him!

Here is an interview that I did with him during the year - 2002 - The Rurals - The Official Interview - year - 2002

They have completed numerous musical tours over the years since their inception which was 1994.
However, they have not gained the International stardom that I and many others feel that they should have reached in regards to a mainstream pop basis.

The Rurals - Just Fine - 2006  

The Rurals even have their own label, Peng Records which was created in 1999.
It seems that the reason why the label was created was before Peng Records came to fruition.

Was because the music that the Rurals was creating and sending over to various record labels was taking too long to get any feedback from them; and if they did agree to go along with it. It was taking too long for the Rurals to get paid!

So the label Peng Records was created.

Peng Records has grown and been very beneficial to The Rurals. As they now have a side division for the label.
This division is known as Peng Africa. Peng Africa is a division of the label that is now geared toward promoting up-and-coming South African House and Deep House music producers.

The sad news was to come to us within the year 2007 when it was announced that Marie Tweak and Andy Compton had broken up.

The two founder members of the group were to go their ways because of this.
Marie Tweak released her first solo album in 2007. The album was called Like This by Marie Tweak - 2007 

The last recording that I heard from Marie Tweak myself was when I found out that she was involved in this project - DJ Garphie Feat Marie Tweek ‎– Rainbows In My Mind

It's good news to know that Marie Tweak is still involved in music, and we as fans are still able to hear that lovely voice of hers.

Because Marie decided to go solo - Andy Compton and the rest of the band (The Rurals) have since worked with other
vocalists from all over the world for years now.

One of the last track/s that I got to purchase from The Rurals was this one
- Andy Compton Feat. Celestine - Kiss From Above: 

Also this one. I nearly forget about this below.

In My Soul - L.A.M.P - Andy Compton (The Rurals ) & Ladybird Paris:

The latest musical adventure involving the Rurals and music released from them is - The Rurals - Retrospect

The Rurals are one of the best groups that the UK has created within the world of House music and

Future soul music has been over the years, and yet they seem to fail to get recognition from their place of birth (The UK).

However, they are seen as heroes in countries such as South Africa and the USA. Strange world isn't it?

Well, that's all folks for me now anyway.

Please  CONTACT US  me here if you want to discuss anything mentioned here in this article.

DJ Mistri and the Electric Soul Show © www.electricsoulshow.com