Editing Spring Heel Jack

{{short description|English electronic music duo}}
{{other uses|Spring-heeled Jack (disambiguation)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2025}}
{{Use British English|date=August 2015}}
{{More citations needed|date=August 2013}}
{{Infobox musical artist <!-- See Wikipedia:WikiProject_Musicians -->
| name                = Spring Heel Jack
| image               = Spring Heel Jack (Ashley Wales and John Coxon), 25 January 1996, Tartu, Estonia (Club Illusioon).jpg
| caption             = Spring Heel Jack (Ashley Wales and John Coxon), 25 January 1996, [[Tartu]], Estonia (Club Illusioon)
| image_size          = 
| background          = group_or_band
| alias               = 
| origin              = London, England
| genre               = {{flatlist|
* [[Drum and bass]]
* [[free jazz]]
* [[electronic music|electronic]]
}}
| years_active        = 1994–present
| label               = Treader
| website             = 
| current_members     = Ashley Wales<br/>John Coxon
| past_members        = 
}}

'''Spring Heel Jack''' is an English [[electronic music]] duo, consisting of John Coxon and Ashley Wales.

Formed in 1993 in London, England, Spring Heel Jack began their career exploring [[drum and bass]] and [[Oldschool jungle|jungle]], but have since branched out into [[free improvisation]] and [[jazz]], collaborating with many musicians from Europe and the United States.

==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.

==Selected discography==
;Albums
* ''There are Strings'' (1995)
* ''[[68 Million Shades...]]'' (1996)
* ''Versions'' (1996)
* ''Busy, Curious, Thirsty'' (1997)<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/busy-curious-thirsty-mw0000595699|title=Busy Curious Thirsty – Spring Heel Jack &#124; Songs, Reviews, Credits|publisher=AllMusic|access-date=2020-03-16}}</ref>
* ''Treader'' (1999)
* ''Oddities'' (2000)
* ''[[Disappeared (album)|Disappeared]]'' (2000)
* ''Masses'' (2001)
* ''Amassed'' (2002)
* ''The Sweetness of the Water'' (2004)
* ''Songs and Themes'' (2008)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.allmusic.com/artist/spring-heel-jack-mn0000790670/discography |title=Spring Heel Jack &#124; Discography |website=AllMusic |access-date=2013-08-09}}</ref>
* ''Hackney Road'' (2018) SHJ and [[Wadada Leo Smith]] with Pat Thomas and Steve Noble

;Live albums
* ''Live'' (2003)
* ''Live in Antwerp'' (2014) with [[Pat Thomas (pianist)|Pat Thomas]], Alex Ward, [[Paul Lytton]]

;EPs
* ''Bombscare'' (Tugboat, 2000) with [[Low (band)|Low]]

;With [[Han Bennink]]
* ''[[Amplified Trio]]'' (Treader, 2007)

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
*[https://treader-recordings.bandcamp.com/ Treader (Coxon and Wales's label)] on Bandcamp

{{Authority control}}

[[Category:British electronic music groups]]
[[Category:Thirsty Ear Recordings artists]]