Sweet Steve is the man behind Baron Zen. His recording career as Baron Zen started back in 1988, collected in ''

At the Mall ''At the Mall'' is the first album from one-man Hip hop/Disco/Electronica act Baron Zen, released on Stones Throw Records Stones Throw Records is an American independent record label based in Los Angeles, California. Under the direction of f ...

''. Baron Zen is DIY music that wears its pop influence on its sleeve: covers of Joy Division, Gap Band,

Katrina and the Waves Katrina and the Waves were a British rock band widely known for the 1985 hit " Walking on Sunshine". They also won the 1997 Eurovision Song Contest with the song "Love Shine a Light". History Pre-history (1975–1980) The band's earliest inc ...

, and high-energy disco classic “When I Hear Music” by

Debbie Deb Deborah Claire Wesoff-Kowalski (born March 10, 1966), known professionally as Debbie Deb, is an American singer and songwriter best known for her 1980s freestyle music, freestyle dance singles "Lookout Weekend" and "When I Hear Music". Biograph ...

play alongside Sweet Steve’s originals. ''At the Mall'' was followed up by the ''At the Mall: Remixes'' album in 2007 featuring remixes by the likes of Peanut Butter Wolf ("At the Mall"), dam-funk ("Burn Rubber"), James Pants ("Gotta Get Ridda Rick"), Madlib, Arabian Prince, Tekblazer, M-80, and J.Roc , among others. Steve then re-connected with Tekblazer for Baron Zen’s ''Rhythm Trax Vol. 3'' in January 2009, the third installment of Stones Throw’s DJ Friendly ''Rhythm Trax'' Series (preceded by James Pants and DJ Romes), and the follow-up to his early '90s four-track post-punk masterpiece, ''At The Mall''. On Vol. 3, Baron Zen departs from his garage band roots summoning the spiritual essence of early '80s electro pioneers such as Alexander Robotnik and Ryuchi Sakamoto. The soundscapes of this ''Rhythm Trax'' contribution satisfy the need for synth-drenched funk while maintaining a murky atmosphere intended to move even the haughtiest New Wave revivalist. M-80 co-produced three tracks, as well. Baron Zen released a six-track single in summer 2009, produced by Sweet Steve and Tekblazer. "Strange Woman's Room" features San Jose's Dave Dub on vocals and includes a James Pants remix version. The B-side "Talk to Me" features a remix version by Peanut Butter Wolf. Baron Zen and Tekblazer again teamed up for the electro-funky, synth-laden rap sound of "Electrik Surgery" (2011), the vocal follow-up to their "Rhythm Trax" LP. This seven-track EP is executive produced by Peanut Butter Wolf, and features the likes of Koushik, Tchaka Diallo, Gary Davis, Zacky Force Funk, Nathan No Face, and Megabusive.

References

{{Reflist American punk rock musicians Stones Throw Records artists Living people American hip hop record producers Year of birth missing (living people)