Union Jack: Pioneers of UK Trance & Acid Techno

Union Jack is the influential British trance and acid techno project of legendary producer Simon Berry, also known as the founder of the Platipus Records label. Emerging from the UK's early 1990s electronic music explosion, the project became synonymous with intricate, melodic, and driving dance music, most notably through its seminal 1995 hit Two Full Moons and a Trout.

Early career

Union Jack was formed by Simon Berry in 1993, operating as an alias and collaborative project from his base in London. The project's inception was intrinsically linked to Berry's own pioneering record label, Platipus Records, which he established that same year to release cutting-edge trance and techno.

The early Union Jack sound was defined by the raw, squelching basslines of the Roland TB-303 synthesizer, layered with euphoric melodies and complex rhythmic programming. Their first releases, including the Lollipop Man EP, quickly garnered attention within the burgeoning UK and European club scene for their distinctive fusion of acid and trance.

Breakthrough

The project's major breakthrough arrived in 1995 with the release of the double A-side single Two Full Moons and a Trout / Cactus. The track became an instant anthem, dominating dancefloors and achieving significant crossover success. Its popularity was solidified by a high-profile remix from the iconic duo Sasha & John Digweed, further propelling Union Jack into the global trance spotlight.

Key tracks

Two Full Moons and a Trout — This 1995 single is the project's defining anthem, a complex, melodic journey that became a cornerstone of progressive trance sets worldwide.

Cactus — The powerful flip-side to their biggest hit, this track showcases Union Jack's mastery of the driving, acidic techno that underpinned their sound.

Red Herring — A later career highlight from the 1998 album There Will Be No Armageddon, exemplifying their evolved, more polished production style.

Water Drums — An earlier, hypnotic cut that perfectly captures the project's fusion of tribal percussion with soaring, atmospheric synth lines.

The success of their singles led to the release of the acclaimed debut album, There Will Be No Armageddon, in 1998 on Platipus Records. While the project's output became less frequent after the turn of the millennium, Union Jack has remained a revered name, with Simon Berry reactivating the alias for select performances and releases, reminding new generations of its foundational role in trance music.

For fans of Union Jack's intricate and melodic take on trance, explore similar pioneering UK artists like Art Of Trance, another Platipus stalwart known for intelligent, building progressive tracks. The driving acid elements can be found in the work of LSG, the seminal project by Oliver Lieb. Listeners also gravitate towards the early atmospheric work of The Morrighan, who shared a label and a penchant for epic composition. The progressive house and trance fusion of Humate also resonates with Union Jack's club-focused, emotive style.

Union Jack's classic catalog maintains a strong presence on radio, frequently featured on dedicated electronic music stations, classic trance streams, and specialist shows focusing on the history of dance music. Their tracks are perennial favorites for DJs and presenters looking to capture the essence of 1990s UK club culture.

You can hear the influential music of Union Jack on radio stations featured on our website. Discover their iconic trance and acid techno soundtracks by tuning into the electronic music stations available on onairium.com.