About

Riddim maker and music producer Nephtali is the driving force behind Digital Works Records, a Paris-based reggae/dancehall netlabel that specializes in riddim making for artists to voice over. Since 2000, Nephtali has been quietly and relentlessly building riddims that are best described as the unique fusion of the digital edge of modern dancehall and the emotional density of roots reggae. This original combination has resulted in a distinctive, overtly digital trademark sound, featuring heavy basslines, intricate drum programming, bubbling synths and other compelling textures (clarinet, piano, melodica...). His music definitely has an ethereal, haunting feel to it. Sophisticated arrangements, sense of innovation and experimental approach are part of his production expertise. His influences range from the corner stone roots imprints (Studio One, Channel One, Joe Gibbs...) to the finest dancehall labels (Xterminator, Penthouse, Digital B...). Nephtali operates from his own 8-track recording facility, where he does almost everything, from composing to arranging and from recording to engineering.

Nephtali made his debut as a recording artist recording two demo tapes. After completing two LPs and two EPs, he thought it was time for him to release his productions on the Internet and he eventually joined the BuzzMusic (formerly Wipe-Records) netlabel by the fall of 2005. Much to his amazement, his tracks got a very good response from the Buzz scene, quickly leading the rootsy, hard-pounding Civil Disobedience to be featured on the fifth episode of the net compilation Submersible Hamster (released on May 7, 2007) and subsequently shortlisted to appear on a commercial compilation.

Nephtali makes it a point to express his attachment to the dancehall fraternity as well. The funk-flavoured rub-a-dub track Watch The Ride was featured on the reggae/dub mixtape Dubconscious by Bristol-based selector Merkazoid aka Jahgon, released on June 26, 2008. 2008 also saw the release of the widely acclaimed 60x60 Buzz Compilation for which Nephtali produced the 60-second-long New Sevilla, a piece he originally wrote in 2000. The concept behind this avant-gardist project was to produce a track no longer than 60 seconds in duration and proved to be a huge success, with the release being downloaded over 10.000 times within the six months period following its release. Nephtali’s last tour-de-force is his contribution to the Soundtrack To The End Of The World (released on February 2009).

Nephtali’s tracks have got some airplays on various radio shows throughout the world, most notably on the BuzzMusic Radio Show on Radio Svitzlin (Czech Republic), on The Echo Chamber on Brap FM (Brighton, UK) but also on the audio drama “Eggo Sandwich” by Toronto-based podcaster Sage Tyrtle. He progressively became more acquainted with the music industry and his knowledge covers other fields beside music production, such as publishing, distribution, marketing/promotion and endorsement.

A strong believer in art collaboration, Nephtali has worked with some up-and-coming Jamaican dancehall acts and is willing to continue supplying recording artists with innovative, cutting-edge riddims filled with heavyweight basslines.

► Submersible Hamster Volume 5
        o Featured track : Civil Disobedience
        o Release date : May 7, 2007

► Space Rastas In Outerspace/Dubconscious
        o Featured track : Watch The Ride
        o Release date : June 26, 2008 on Spannered.org as Space Rastas In Outerspace
        o Reissue date : November 10, 2009 on Subnav.com as Dubconscious

► 60x60 Buzz Compilation
        o Featured track : New Sevilla
        o Release date : June 29, 2008

► End Of The World Soundtrack
        o Featured track : Earthquake Ruler
        o Release date : February 12, 2009

► "Eggo Sandwich" from QN Podcast (Toronto, Canada)
        o Featured track : Return Of A Don
        o Airplay date : August 13, 2008

► BuzzMusic Radio Show #14 on Radio Svitzlin (Czech Republic)
        o Featured tracks : Asylum Seeker, Hit & Run and Curfew
        o Airplay date : November 23, 2008

► The Echo Chamber #6 on Brap FM (Brighton, UK)
        o Featured track : Watch The Ride
        o Airplay date : November 15, 2009

► "Nephtali Sips on Jamaican Rum", in Buzz Music Review, May 20, 2007
"Nephtali Sips on Jamaican Rum
Well not really but his music sure does give you a warm buzz inside, no pun intended. Sometimes browsing the charts at Buzzmusic can be tiresome and disappointing. I don't think I have to tell you about how varied the skill and talent level can be. When Nephtali pops on to the charts I know I'm in for a treat. He has consistently released some top notch Electronic Reggae. For those that play guitar, his tracks make great practice sessions to practice your chops with.” - Review by Zaphoid

As you may have noticed, Digital Works intends to supply riddims for vocals artists as well as other entities through a very flexible purchasing and order system - ranging from free to cheap - that will fit to your budget and requirements and the purpose for which you wish to use them (commercial release, promotional use, demo use, collaboration tracks, remixes, open-source audio...) and on various supports (LPs/CDs/EPs, 7''/12'', mixtapes/street-CDs, duplates...).

Learn more about the terms and conditions of use here and feel free to drop us a mail if you happened to be interested.
Keep in mind that we are strong believers in music and art collaboration, meaning that we are very lenient
when it comes to setting the terms and conditions of use.