In fact, Ayuli coined the term dream pop in an early interview with Melody Maker journalist Simon Reynolds. It's more than a little ironic and sad to consider that -- despite the excellence and influence of A.R. Kane's 69 and "i" albums -- Ayuli and Tambala gained most of their recognition during a one-off collaboration with the members of Colourbox as M/A/R/R/S, who released the global chart-topper "Pump Up the Volume" in 1987.

Several years after parting ways with Tambala, Ayuli began recording simply as Alex!, issuing his recordings on his own Dreampop imprint. Soul Surging was released in 1999, followed by the Float Like a Butterfly, Sting Like a Bee single in 2000 and the full-length Alien Technology in 2001. Recorded and produced almost entirely on his own, Ayuli's work as Alex! set out to make sure the style he pioneered didn't fall dormant. ~ Andy Kellman