Benjamin Groove: Tracks that shaped my sound

UK producer Benjamin Groove is set to make his full-length debut on Fortune Signal with the euphoric Natter Natter Natter EP, following a standout remix for the label earlier this year. The release features three original tracks that blend his '90s house and trance influences with a modern twist, drawing from his upbringing. The title track kicks off with a sun-soaked groove and hazy vocal samples, while "Quicksilver 90" delivers pulsing, trance-inspired energy, and "Lockstock" brings rave-ready intensity with its booming drums and ethereal melodies. Frequent collaborator Alex Virgo adds a mainstage-ready remix, building on his reputation for peak-time dancefloor anthems.

The EP showcases Fortune Signal's commitment to cutting-edge electronic music. Recently, Benjamin also highlighted five tracks that shaped his sound.

Adam Port - Someone to Love

‍This track is a huge inspiration for me, it also generates a lot of good memories of when we were living in Ibiza and DJing on the Lost and Ibiza boat parties back in 2012. This track was a firm favourite of mine and I would play it most weeks. I love the way the track builds with just the instrumental for the first minute or so, and then it hits you with the euphoric vocal and the track just takes you on a journey. I can definitely see how I incorporate this style of track into my production with the disco samples, and vocals that take you up. I see tracks like this as timeless, you can't really put a date on them; if this was to have been released last month you'd think it was a new track.  I like it when music has that impact, it shows that it stands out and it's not trying to fit in.

Dan Ghenacia & Shonky - Close To The Edge

‍I still feel inspired by this track today. I love how it progressively builds and all the elements come in at just the right time. The driving rhythmic bass keeps the energy high and then when the vocal comes in, it gives me a good feeling. I can see how tracks like this have inspired the way I produce music: I like to progressively bring in elements and build the energy up within the tracks. This is a perfect example. I remember this track being a go-to for many of the basement parties that we used to play back when we were at uni, this would always get everyone moving. Something about the pitched-up vocal has that nostalgic vibe that resonates with me. Another timeless classic!

Tanner Ross - B side 

‍Remembering when I first heard this track I was completely blown away; there were not any other tracks that really delivered in the way that this track did for me. It's in a class of its own and again this is another great example of a progressively built track. I love the drums on it and the way they just chug at the beginning, and then you can get hit with the bassline, which on a good sound system cuts through like nothing else. And then there's the lead, some crazy hypnotic flute-sounding sound that just takes you on a journey and lets you get lost in your own mind. I still don't think to this day that anything has been made like this. I think what inspires me most about this track is its simplicity, there are no bells and whistles, all the elements are placed perfectly and it's very satisfying. 

David August - Moving Day

‍We used to hit up Sankey's every Tuesday for the dynamic parties David August would regularly play. I always found these parties very musically satisfying, as it was very much its own sound and quite different from the rest. It was refreshing to hear. Sankeys was a great club too, it was quite small so it felt very intimate, I preferred this to the bigger clubs. I remember hearing this track on one of the nights and it was a wonderful moment. I think this track for me has got to be one of the best build-ups ever, I take huge inspiration from this. I also love the fact that a Korg M1 organ has been used for the bass and main riff - I have a real soft spot for a Korg M1. For me, this track is like the pinnacle of producer goals. The way all of the elements come back in and complement each other is pure bliss. When the piano rolls over the M1 organ it creates a moment of pure satisfaction for me. I know I keep saying it, but this is a timeless classic for sure!

Phil Weeks - Live At Palladium

‍Phil Weeks and the Robsoul movement have been a huge inspiration throughout my whole musical career, and I would always be excited about the next Robsoul release. This particular track resonates with me because of the use of the samples. It's a vibe the whole way through, it keeps me locked in and jamming. The way Phil Weeks chops up and uses samples within his tracks is very inspirational to me. I've spent a lot of time listening through Phil Weeks' discography and it's helped me formulate my production style, right down to the choice of samples that I use and the way I structure my music. I have great memories of when we threw a party at The Nest in Dalston: we booked Phil Weeks as the headliner, we had a good party that night and, of course, when he played this, it went off!  It was a real good intimate party and the people were there for the music. A night to remember for sure. 

DJ W!LD - We Almost Lost Detroit 

I can happily say that DJ W!ld is one of my favourite producers. He has a way of working with samples that separates him from everyone else. The drums within all of his tracks are very distinctive, they always roll and skip with huge kick drums. I would say his production style is very minimal with progressive build-ups to moments where everything gets stripped back, then carefully selected samples come into play creating a sense of deep satisfaction for me. I've taken huge inspiration from this, I love the way a track can be in full swing and then just cut back, with a new sample element coming in to freshen the palette. I think tracks like this can withstand the test of time, it is timeless. I still include it in sets and radio shows to this day. It definitely sits in its own lane, it's not trying to fit in. It does exactly what it needs, and that's to deliver a good old stomping house track.

Keep up with Benjamin on Soundcloud

Buy/listen to the Natter Natter Natter EP (featuring a remix by Alex Virgo) here