Crackazat: A Jazz-House Maestro’s Journey from Bristol to the World

Early Life and Musical Beginnings

Crackazat, born Ben Jacobs, hails from Bristol, UK. From childhood, rhythm and melody shaped his life — he grew up tap dancing to swing and later picked up the bass guitar, eventually studying jazz performance at college. Those jazz roots run deep in his sound today. In his early teens, he began exploring production, inspired by beatmakers like Madlib and Mr. Scruff. A defining moment came during his time with the Falling Up collective in Bristol, where he opened for Floating Points — a live set that set the tone for the fusion of live instrumentation and electronic production that has become his trademark.

His first official release was the Tunnel EP on Bristol’s Futureboogie Recordings in 2012 — a jazz-infused deep house debut that caught the attention of heads in the scene and laid the groundwork for what would follow.

Rise in the Scene

2012 also marked a personal turning point: Crackazat relocated to Uppsala, Sweden. There, he was introduced to Stockholm-based Local Talk Records, known for their jazzy, soulful house output. This connection led to his debut EP Candle Coast (2014) on Local Talk, beginning a fruitful relationship that would span several EPs and albums. By 2015, he released his first full-length project Crescendo, a deep dive into his diverse influences, from downtempo and hip-hop to melodic house. Two years later, he refined the formula with Rainbow Fantasia, a more focused album that captured his singular style: vibrant keys, live-played bass, and rich harmonics over propulsive rhythms.

During this prolific Local Talk era (2013–2018), Crackazat’s sound became synonymous with uplifting, jazz-laced house music. Alongside albums, standout EPs like Eye Light, Proton Blue, and his Magic Touch remix collection further cemented his reputation. His remix of Tom Misch’s “Watch Me Dance” opened the door to a broader audience, showcasing his ability to reinterpret modern soul with house sensibilities.

He also began working closely with Z Records, founded by Joey Negro (Dave Lee), releasing his acclaimed Period Works series. These tracks creatively reimagined samples from Z Records’ disco and boogie catalog, translating them into Crackazat’s jazzy house context.

Discography Highlights

Albums:

• Crescendo (2015, Local Talk)
• Rainbow Fantasia (2017, Local Talk)
• Period Works – The Album (2020, Z Records)
• Beat Tape (2020, self-released)
• Evergreen (2022, Freerange Records)
• Beat Tape 02 (2024, self-released)

Key EPs/Singles:

• Tunnel EP (2012, Futureboogie)
• Candle Coast (2014, Local Talk)
• Eye Light (2015, Local Talk)
• Proton Blue (2017, Local Talk)
• Valentine EP (2020, Freerange Records)
• Alfa EP (2021, Heist Recordings)
• Senses (2023, Heist Recordings)

Notable Remixes:

• Tom Misch – Watch Me Dance
• Moon Boots & Little Boots – You Won’t See Me Cry (Anjunadeep)
• Art of Tones – The Rainbow Song
• Joey Negro, Namy, DJ Spinna, China Charmeleon, Moullinex, and many more

His remix work is tasteful and unmistakably Crackazat — balancing live musicianship with groove-heavy arrangement.

Present and Future

In 2022, Crackazat’s Evergreen marked a new chapter: lush, vocal-led tracks with Ben himself on the mic — a more personal touch and a bold evolution. Critics and fans alike praised its cohesion, musicality, and warm, “live band” feel. Tracks like “Beacon of Light” and “I’m Easy” capture that jazz-club-in-a-club energy.

His most recent release, the Senses EP (2023, Heist Recordings), drew accolades for its wide stylistic range — blending broken beat, chill-out, and house seamlessly. Alongside this, Crackazat continues to collaborate with labels like Stay True Sounds in South Africa, tapping into the Afro-house movement and connecting with new scenes.

Looking ahead, a new full-length album on Freerange Records is expected in 2025, and if his recent output is anything to go by, it’s likely to raise the bar once again. Between live sets, DJ gigs, and online jam sessions, Crackazat has carved a space for himself as one of the most musically rich and emotionally uplifting voices in house music today.

Stay Connected with Crackazat

• Instagram
• Facebook
• SoundCloud
• Bandcamp
• Spotify
• YouTube

Whether you’re spinning his tracks, catching a live set, or discovering his deeper cuts, Crackazat’s catalogue is a goldmine of musical colour and soulful depth. Perfect for DJs, producers, and music lovers alike.