UK techno pioneer In Sync passes away at 54

Purkis was considered one of the first DJs to have supported, promoted and played house music and techno in Britain.

Lee Purkis AKA In Sync

Credit: Alamy

UK techno pioneer Lee Purkis, also known as In Sync of Insync vs. Mysteron, has passed away at age 54.

No cause of death has been confirmed at the time of writing,

Purkis, a veritable legend who is considered one of the first to have supported, promoted and played house music and techno in Britain, was a part of Insync vs. Mysteron with Chris Hartley and David Manuel. The group would go on to found the 10th Planet label in 1992, though Purkis would also release music via labels Peacefrog, Fragmented, Relief, Basement 282, and Plink Plonk.

Purkis was also involved in the creation of FatCat Records in 1989, helping turn the record shop into a dance music destination by keeping it stocked with 12-inch vinyl from Chicago and Detroit from his trips to the cities. He would reemerge from a hiatus in 2005 with the new label Fortune8, which focused on Purkis’ new and previously unreleased productions.

See tributes to Purkis from throughout the UK techno scene below.

I’ve just heard the sad news that my old mate Lee Purkis aka Insync passed away yesterday. Lee was one of UKs early…

Posted by Richard West on Wednesday, March 22, 2023

Rarely post on here but this felt important to acknowledge. Just heard about Lee Purkis / Insync passing and felt very…

Posted by Dave Cawley on Wednesday, March 22, 2023

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