Paul Kevin Masterson Yomanda

🎧 Biography – Paul Kevin Masterson
Paul Kevin Masterson is a DJ, music producer, and composer from Northern Ireland whose influence on the 1990s and early 2000s dance music scene is undeniable. Born in Belfast, he grew up experimenting with electronic music and eventually moved to London to develop his production career.

From the very beginning, Masterson demonstrated a unique talent for crafting hit tracks that combined catchy melodies, rhythmic energy, and a deep understanding of club culture. He gained recognition through various aliases, which allowed him to explore many genres of electronic music – from hi-NRG and house to trance, techno, and electro-pop.

🎶 Key Aliases and Projects

Yomanda
This is perhaps Paul Masterson’s most well-known alias. His biggest hit under this name, “Synth and Strings,” was released in 1999 and reached the UK Top 10. Yomanda’s style fused uplifting house with trance-influenced melodies. Other successful singles like “Sunshine” and “On the Level” further cemented the project as his musical signature.

Amen! UK
Masterson used this alias in the mid-1990s to produce high-energy hi-NRG and euro-house tracks. The single “Passion” was one of his earliest breakthrough hits, with its euphoric feel and powerful bassline. Released in 1997, it achieved both commercial and radio success.

Hi-Gate (with Judge Jules)
In 1999, Masterson teamed up with BBC Radio 1 DJ Judge Jules to form the trance project Hi-Gate, which saw tremendous success. Their debut track “Pitchin’ (In Every Direction)” quickly became a club anthem and broke into the UK Top 10. Follow-up singles like “I Can Hear Voices,” “Gonna Work It Out,” and “Caned and Unable” established them as a leading trance duo at the turn of the millennium. In 2003, they released a full-length album titled “Split Personality,” which also featured collaborations with Boy George.

Candy Girls
This project was a collaboration with Rachel Auburn and Sweet Pussy Pauline. Candy Girls mixed house music with humor, energy, and strong female vocals. Tracks like “Wham Bam” and “Fe Fi Fo Fum” became club favorites and made waves on the UK charts.

Other Aliases
Paul Masterson also produced music under names like Clergy (“The Oboe Song”), Subway (“What U Got, What U Do”), VPL (“The Bassline”), Sleazesisters (“Sex,” “Let’s Whip It Up”), and Sushi (“The Earthshaker”). Each of these projects explored different musical styles and showcased his versatility as a producer.

📀 Discography – Selected Singles and Albums

As Yomanda:

• Synth and Strings (1999) – Top 10 UK hit, his biggest success

• Sunshine (2000) – classic house groove

• On the Level (2000) – energetic and uplifting

• You’re Free (2003) – a new take on the Ultra Naté classic

• Got the Chance, Kaminari – lesser-known club favorites

As Amen! UK:

• Passion (1997) – iconic hi-NRG club track

• People of Love (1997) – stylistically similar to Passion

As Hi-Gate (with Judge Jules):

• Pitchin’ (In Every Direction) (2000) – massive trance hit

• I Can Hear Voices / Caned and Unable (2000) – double A-side

• Gonna Work It Out (2001) – high-energy trance

• Split Personality (2003) – full album with varied styles

As Candy Girls:

• Wham Bam (1996) – humorous club anthem

• Fe Fi Fo Fum (1996) – energetic with bold vocals

• I Want Candy – dancefloor take on the classic

Other Projects:

• The Earthshaker (as Sushi, 2002) – big club hit

• The Oboe Song (as Clergy) – a favorite among trance DJs

• Let’s Whip It Up, Work It Up (as Sleazesisters) – campy, fun-filled tracks

• Break (as VPL) – strong tech-house vibe

🏆 Legacy and Impact
Paul Masterson built an impressive career through his creative flexibility and skill in crafting music that appealed to both mainstream audiences and underground club-goers. He was one of the key architects of the late 1990s/early 2000s dance music sound. Regardless of the alias, his productions consistently featured infectious melodies, high energy, and slick, forward-thinking production. Thanks to collaborations with artists like Judge Jules and Boy George, he earned a reputation as a respected producer, DJ, and contributor to modern electronic music.

While his biggest commercial successes were over two decades ago, Paul Masterson remains musically active and continues to be recognized as one of the most important figures in the dance scene during that transitional era.