After initial reports surfaced this afternoon on Twitter, it has been confirmed that legendary English DJ and producer Andrew Weatherall has passed away. A visionary talent, Weatherall was celebrated for his brilliant synthesis of underground influences, both on his own material and in his collaborations with other artists, as well as side projects like Two Lone Swordsmen and Sabres Of Paradise.

However, to the wider music audience, his crowning achievement was his production and remix work on Primal Scream's Screamadelica in 1991, which variously incorporated house, electro and dub influences, resulting in a landmark album subsequently recognised as one of the most brilliant and groundbreaking records of the '90s.

In particular, the epic 'Loaded' became a club anthem, and remains one of the most brilliantly realised dance-rock crossover hits of all time, with its influence notably detectable in the output of LCD Soundsystem and the DFA label, amongst many other examples. Indeed, '91 was in many ways Weatherall's annus mirablis, with the producer in the same year turning in a memorable remix of Irish shoegaze legends' My Bloody Valentine's 'Soon'.

Weatherall remained a vital musical force right up to the end of his life – his 2012 Masterpiece mix album was one of the finest dance releases of the last decade, and he continued to play acclaimed DJ sets, being a regular visitor to Ireland.

This afternoon's statement from his Rotters Golf Club label reads...

"We are deeply sorry to announce that Andrew Weatherall, the noted DJ and musician passed away in the early hours of this morning, Monday 17th February 2020, at Whipps Cross Hospital, London. The cause of death was a pulmonary embolism. He was being treated in hospital but unfortunately the blood clot reached his heart. His death was swift and peaceful.

"His family and friends are profoundly saddened by his death and are taking time to gather their thoughts."

Revisit Hot Press Deputy Ed. Stuart Clark's interview with Andrew Weatherall here.