Editing Spring Heel Jack (section)

==History==
[[File:Han_Bennink-12.jpg|thumb|John Coxon (2007)]]
[[File:Han Bennink-21.jpg|thumb|Ashley Wales (2007)]]
Wales was formerly a composer of [[contemporary classical music]] and leader of the band Crazy About Love, while Coxon was a successful remixer and producer (most notably for [[Betty Boo]]) prior to their joining forces.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.allmusic.com/album/grrr%21-its-betty-boo-mw0000088988/credits |title=Grrr! It's Betty Boo – Betty Boo &#124; Credits |publisher=AllMusic |date=1992-11-10 |access-date=2013-08-09}}</ref>

Their first three [[drum and bass]] albums released during the 1990s earned positive reviews for their innovative take on the genre. They also co-wrote and produced the 1996 track "[[Walking Wounded (Everything but the Girl song)|Walking Wounded]]", a major UK hit for [[Everything But The Girl]]<ref name="AMG">{{cite web|author=John Bush |url=http://www.allmusic.com/artist/spring-heel-jack-mn0000790670/biography |title=Spring Heel Jack &#124; Biography |publisher=AllMusic |access-date=2013-08-09}}</ref> featuring Ben Watt who had earlier been sacked from Crazy About Love.

The cinematic ''[[Disappeared (album)|Disappeared]]'' (2000) marked a transition for Wales and Coxon, and featured the British saxophonist [[John Surman]], whose appearance was a harbinger of later changes.

''Masses'' (2001), the first of several albums for the cross-genre Blue Series on [[Thirsty Ear]], was an even more radical departure. Collaborators included saxophonists [[Evan Parker]], [[John Tchicai]] and [[Tim Berne]]; bassist [[William Parker (musician)|William Parker]]; trumpeters [[Roy Campbell, Jr.|Roy Campbell]], [[Kenny Wheeler]] and [[Wadada Leo Smith]]; trombonist [[Paul Rutherford (trombonist)|Paul Rutherford]]; drummer [[Han Bennink]]; pianist [[Matthew Shipp]]; and guitarist [[Jason Pierce]].

In 2006 Coxon and Wales began to operate a record label, Treader, releasing CDs by themselves and other associated artists, including some of their recent collaborators.