X.L.F. (Xiao Linfeng), Beijing’s pinnacle promoter, DJ, and recording artist, is most recognized for his diverse range of electronic music styles. Known for his synthesizer programming and rhythmic grooves, his selective sound has continually evolved over the years. Effused from progressive trance, acid house, tech-house, and minimal techno, X.L.F.’s music has reached beyond states of classification today. As a DJ, X.L.F. creates a “sense of audio history”, and is skilled in the art of harmonizing colliding genres; from warm funk to psychedelic acid, violent Techno to abstract Cologne “academism”; each one of his sets is a unique tale of intrigue. In 1997, X.L.F. teamed up with China’s techno legend Yang Bing to establish “Fable 7”, a group of local electronic DJs, to help spread their music at home and abroad. Xiao hit his first career milestone in 2000 when he was discovered by UK label DVR, which led to his collaboration album with DJ Michael, >. Two tracks by X.L.F. were released on the album, including the electronic orchestral > and the special edition >, with composer, singer, pianist, and one of China’s pop scene’s key figures, Guo Feng. Xiao Linfeng reached his next major career landmark in 2005 when he signed a contract with the Chinese Phonograph Record Corporation, joining China’s one and only commercial music trade mark label. That same year he helped produce the first electronic dance music record in China, >. Its commercial success broke into the European and American market, leading to a 2nd special edition release >. In 2006 Xiao Linfeng set up his “electronic orchestra” to create a unique installment of trance with the full length album release of >. The following year marked a watershed moment for X.L.F. as he began to embrace the German minimal techno sound. 2007 was also the year he helped co-found Acupuncture Records, China’s premiere independent electronic music label. The original group made up of 8 DJs was cultivated during private sessions at X.L.F.’s recording studio on the outskirts of Beijing. Acupuncture Records started making their first public appearances in September 2007 at intimate nightclub parties in Beijing that quickly grew into large-scale followings of thousands that led up to 2 (now annual) massive warehouse raves: Spooked/Halloween and Genesis/New Year’s Eve. The group continued pushing the local scene to the next level, and in May 2009 Acupuncture organized INTRO (Ideas Need To Reach Out), China’s first outdoor electronic music festival with 8,000 participants. X.L.F.’s ambient house groove mix > last year was in namesake and tribute to the festival, capturing the free spirited beauty of that day. Acupuncture Records launched the release of their first EP in 2008 on the world’s biggest electronic and DJ music download site, Beatport.com, as well as iTunes. Since then the label has successfully released 3 EPs, 1 album, and has contributed to various projects of overseas electronic music labels. In 2010, X.L.F. continues on his creative path with two EP releases planned for March: > and >. Opening with a dramatic beat that bubbles and builds into a cosmic jazz scale, > is no ordinary dance track. Perhaps best suited for listening in a large auditorium, featuring a major production set and choreographed dancers on stage, the movement of this track peaks with a symphonic interlude appearing in the last 2 minutes. It’s an unexpected synthesis of computerized jazz that’s comprised like an overture of an opera. Like a beacon of new sound, it plays through like a brilliant horizon. Seriously, if you’re looking for a prolific member of Beijing’s homegrown electronic music scene, talented producer, skillful on the decks, and full of good energy, X.L.F. is the one to call.