The Shapeshifters are Simon Marlin and Max Reich, a house music production duo based in London, England. They have a recording contract with Defected Records, and were previously signed to Positiva. Max Reich is originally from Gothenburg, Sweden, while Simon Marlin is British.
They are known in the United States as Shape:UK, in part due to a conflict with the Los Angeles based hip-hop act Shape Shifters. However, the UK duo still uses "The Shapeshifters" name when they are releasing material in other countries outside the US.
The Shapeshifters are best known for their single "Lola's Theme" which went to #1 in the UK Singles Chart in July 2004. The track was originally released as an instrumental promo in 2003 and was inspired by Simon's wife, Lola.
Their second single, "Back To Basics", was released in March 2005 and reached #10 in the UK chart, while the third single "Incredible" reached #12. Their debut album, Sound Advice, was released in March 2006 and peaked at #76 in the UK Albums Chart, before being released in the United States on Ultra Records in September 2006. The fourth single which featured Nile Rodgers of Chic, was called "Sensitivity" and charted at #40 on July 2006.
In 2008, after four years with Positiva Records, The Shapeshifters signed to Defected Records. Their first release for Defected was "Treadstone" in April 2008, and this was subsequently followed by "Chime", a re-work of the Orbital track. In September 2008, The Shapeshifters released a The Shapeshifters - In The House - a mix album was part of the In The House series. In September 2008, The Shapeshifters also released "Lola's Theme (08 Re-Edit)". This was an originally an exclusive remix that The Shapeshifters used in their own DJ sets, but due to major demand and exposure, this title was released as a digital download through their own Nocturnal Groove record label. Upon its release this title spent seven weeks at #1 on the Beatport Sales Chart.
In July 2009, The Shapeshifters released the Young Dubs EP which included "Sideways" and "Nocturnal". Throughout 2009, The Shapeshifters also remixed Natalie Imbruglia's single ("Want"’) and collaborated with Frankie Knuckles on "The Ones You Love" which was released on Nocturnal Groove. They also remixed Candi Staton ("Musical Freedom") and compiled the digital compilation, Nocturnal Grooves : Vol.2 – Mixed By The Shapeshifters as well as working alongside Empire Of The Sun and Kleerup remixing "We Are The People" and "Longing For Lullabies". The Shapeshifters first release on 2010 was Summerdayze 2010 - Mixed by The Shapeshifters - a compilation album released to coincide with their Australian tour in January 2010 and further singles such as "Helter Skelter" and "She Freaks" followed. Both "Helter Skelter" and "She Freaks" now have over 1,000,000 views on YouTube. In 2010, The Shapeshifters remixed "Broken Arrow by Pixie Lott and "Looking Forward" by Jason Chance. In April 2010, 'The Shapeshifters' Nocturnal Groove Radio Show'. This weekly radio show is broadcast through a range of international radio stations across the world, is available as a podcast on i-Tunes and is available to stream from the Nocturnal Groove website and the Shapeshifters social networks on Facebook and SoundCloud .
The Shapeshifters have also worked on productions and remixes for George Michael, Faithless, Frankie Knuckles, Christina Aguilera and Moby, Leona Lewis, Todd Terry and Danny Howells. Building on past achievements, it looks like 2011 will be another successful year for The Shapeshifters. They have already released "Waiting For You" - their first collaboration with Shermanology - and have remixed "I'll Take You There" from Frankie Knuckles's Director's Cut project. "I'll Take You There" is available now on Nocturnal Groove. The Shapeshifters have further releases for 2011 scheduled on Defected Records and Nocturnal Groove and have also just remixed "In It Together" by Human Life.
As DJs, The Shapeshifters continue to tour the world and are returning to their residency for Defected @ Pacha for the fourth consecutive year.
