Solid Steel is the name of a series of DJ mix albums issued on Ninja Tune independent record label in the UK.

It also applies to the radio station and related live concerts which further showcase the DJing talents of such artists.

In 1988, Solid Steel began as a radio show on Kiss FM hosted by Coldcut's Matt Black and Jonathan More, where they were not only able to play and mix records but also display their cut-up technique live. The show was known for airing "The Broadest Beats in London". They were joined by PC and Strictly Kev from DJ Food in 1993. The two hour show was filled by improv, with each DJ taking sets of 30 minutes. In 1997 Darren Knott, otherwise known as DK, joined the show as producer, as Coldcut and DJ Food were increasingly away on tour.

They left Kiss FM after playlist changes meant they'd be consigned to the Tuesday 2am-4am graveyard slot. The show was still recorded each week being available online and syndicated worldwide. In 1999 they were offered a slot on the advertisement-free BBC's London Live radio station.

Guest interviews on the Solid Steel radio show included:

• David Axelrod - 2001
• Ken Nordine - 2000
• Jean Jacques Perrey - 1997
• Quannum Projects - 2000
• Juan Atkins - 1990

Guest DJ mixes on the Solid Steel radio show included:

• DJ Shadow
• Company Flow
• Kieran Hebden - Four Tet
• Alec Empire
• Andy Votel
• Mr Scruff

The first Solid Steel album was released by DJ Food and DK in 2001. There are 3 further mixes from Mr Scruff rumoured.

The club night is hosted by DK and Strictly Kev and often features special guest DJs. It is held on the first Thursday of every month at:

Ruby Lo,

23 Orchard St,

London,

W1

Live events also take place in Edinburgh, Bristol and Birmingham and throughout Europe including Paris, Barcelona, Berlin, Madrid, Prague, Poland and Belgium.

Solid Steel Discography