Laurence and Andy met in 1993 through their involvement Dj'ing with the legendary UK free party crew - Smokescreen sound system.. The crew of eight in total threw free, large-scale events at various locations across the English countryside. Utilizing rotating, secret venues, Smokescreen attempted to keep their renegade parties as underground as possible to avoid detection by local police - a feat they managed to accomplish on a regular basis. They also organized more legitimate events, such as nights in local clubs.

By 1998, Ritchie moved to Nottingham with what little studio kit he'd had in Sheffield, joined the To ka Project studio and began to put together the drop label whilst producing closely with Riley, who was already involved with To ka Project, his collaboration with Steve Walker and Jason Cowley. Inland knights Volume 1 marked the launch of Drop Music in 1998; an independent outlet devoted to the production of quality house. The flourishing label has released material under various mediums, including EPs, singles, album and mix CDs.

The Drop Music catalogue now has 56 releases to its credit, and is renowned in the dance music community for the quality and consistency of its work. Adopting various guises to showcase different aspects of their sound, including Party Criminals, In House Alterations, Grand Theft Audio and Big Audio Spidermite, Toka project, Larry fives, Inland Knights have been responsible for most of the Drop catalogue. As enthusiastic about DJ'ing as studio production Ritchie and Riley have maintained a relentless international touring agenda since their collaboration began.

Under the Inland Knights moniker the pair have been fruitful, releasing tracks on labels such as Ralph Lawson's famed 20:20 Vision imprint, Panhandle Records, Vista, Siesta, Sunflower, NRK, Low Pressings, the classic 'hot soup' on so-sound, cheeky, doubledown and many more. "Creative Spaces," Inland Knights and Drop Music's highly anticipated first full-length album, was released in 2001 to widespread critical praise for its funky jams and deep, grooving melodies. For the CD version of the album, the pair opted to create a live mix rather than simply re-releasing the vinyl in another medium.

Into 2008 , Inland knights are busy in the studio with remixes, ep's and compilations, as well as regular dj slots at the weekends.To mark the 50th Dropmusic release, Inland Knights released a two part ep package to widespread acclaim, with 50 pt 1 becoming an instant rarity and much sought after, and part 2 Been a drop classic. Into 2008 and DROP MUSIC will be 10 years old so to celebrate this there will be a double cd compilation with all the artists off the label putting forward new tracks.

Despite their success as producers, and over nine years of releases under their belts, they refuse to withdraw into the studio and will continue to DJ and tour extensively. Riley notes they are always looking to balance their performance and production schedules. "If you start to do too much of one," he says, "You start to miss the other."

Top 10 (April 2008)

1. BREATH YOU IN - Juan de la Madre mix - OM
2. SO REAL - Troydon - Phonoshuffle
3. FALL OFF THE WALL - Exit Only Mix - Unreleased
4. BELIEVE IN ME - Alexander East (LCG mix) - Nordic
5. LAZY DAYS - Nathan Stewart - Soulfuel Records
6. EASILY INFLUENCED - Straight from the Hawt EP - Guesthouse
7. DONT YOU WANT MORE - Duck Beats - Odori
8. BUMPIN ENJOYMENT - Sound Eepublic (Jason Hodges Readin Minds Mix) - Spatulacity
9. YOU DON'T LET ME - Replay5
10. HAPPENING NOW - Inland Knights Dub - Myna Music

Inland Knights Discography
Records  
Title Label

Pre-release Promo

Procreation

In House Alterations Drop Music
Vol. 1 Drop Music
Crazy EP Panhandle Records
Fresh Connections 20:20 Vision
New Century Swings Drop Music
Party Criminals Drop Music
Put It Back Drop Music
Creative Spaces Drop Music
Got The Strength 20:20 Vision
Grand Theft Audio Drop Music
Northern Soil Drop Music
Out Of Bounds Drop Music
Sound Extensions Drop Music
The Shadey Shuffles EP Siesta Music
Vacant Obsessions Drop Music
17 Days / Revolver Procreation
Kept Secret 20:20 Vision
Sound In Mind Drop Music
Steal The Feel Drop Music
Understanding EP Vista Recordings
17 Days (Remixes) Procreation
Beat Loaf Drop Music
Blown Out Doubledown Recordings
Mud Substance Drop Music
Back Stage Drop Music
Hot Soup E.P. So Sound Recordings
New Static Drop Music
Six Of The Best Drop Music
What To Think Drop Music
A Part Of Me Drop Music
Double Check Drop Music
Hands Up EP Amenti Music
Hollow Legs Drop Music
Stitch Up Drop Music
This Belongs To You Drop Music
Beggar's Belief Drop Music
Full Moon Drop Music
Part One Drop Music
Part Two Drop Music
Road Trip EP Drop Music
Rough Diamond EP Drop Music
Ghetto Shit Amenti Music
High Rise EP Raise Recordings
Side Effect EP Raise Recordings
Remixes    
Artist Title Label
Mirage Everybody Dance Ink Records
Spinning Marcus Spectrum Is Green Phood Records

Da Sunlounge

Da Sunlounge (Part 2) Low Pressings
Future Signs Swirl People Tronicsole
Digs, Woosh & Mr Ski Rumpfunk DiY Discs
Twisted Pair Horny Hustle (Remixes) NRK Sound Division
Faithless Muhammad Ali Cheeky Records
Swirl People Remixed Bits Aroma
Floris Shake It Sunflower Records
Joshua Watch Da Bass NRK Sound Division
Additives & Preservatives Fly Index Records (UK)
The Dolphins House Panic Hooj Choons
Da Sunlounge Northern Alliance EP Tango Recordings
Colin Dale You Know How (Remixes) Sensei
Sound Navigators Down On It Blockhead Recordings
Kinky Movement Gettin' There Tango Recordings
Pete Dafeet Head Trauma EP Uniform Recordings
Magik Johnson Rollergirl (Disc 2) NRK Sound Division
Littlemen, The Stoned Mobile Trax
The Sound Republic & J.Todd Imaginary Lover SpatulaCity