DJ Profile - Dj Conan - UK

My earliest influnces within music were listening to my Mum and Dad records collection; and also listening to them in Jazz bands that they were invloved in. When I was young my hero was definately John Coltrane, his saxophone enlightened me totally. When I reached the ages of around six years old, I wanted to be able to play like him so much. Approaching the ages of around 10 -11 years old, I got into Hiphop as my dad brought home an album by Malcom Maclaren, with Buffalo Gals on it.

I first got into djing in 1983, when all of mates were into breakdancing. However as I wasn't that good at it, and so not to be outdone I started to dj and do beatboxing.

I've ended up playing the music of Garage/House because of my Jazz and Disco influences. I started buying up Larry Levan mixes and late 1970's Disco at around 1986 as I used them to scratch and mix with. This conincided with early the House tunes taht were around, which I started playing around 1987. Although I played Harder House in 1989 - 91, like everyone did, my heart and soul remained in the Garage vein - Oh those Robert Owens vocals, Fingers INC, etc

I understand that most people credit my style of djing as scratching up old Acappella Disco tunes, and cutting up or blending together 2 copies of recent Disco and Garage of tunes; I suppose I always use these techniques when I play out; but I don't have one special or top level technique. I like to make every mix different, so that every set that I play out to has a unique construction of Disco, Old Soul and recent Soulful tunes combined with a selection of speeches and Soundbites that makes me proud to be associatied with this forum of House Music.

When I am at home, I like to listen to CD'S; when working from home I like to sample off these CD'S within the studio sometimes, however I do not use these when I play out. I like to expand my Dj mixing skills without help of pre worked out studio sample routines; instead feeding of the atmosphere of the crowd or punters of the club tht I am playing at.

What I particulary like about Garage, is its Soulfulness; its the closet one can get to which combines Jazz/Soul/Hiphop and Funk in one catergory

It has all these influences, and I guess which is why I'm a sucker for a good old fashioned Frankie Knuckles song.

In the past concerning my djing I have warmed in the past for many of the giants within the music from David Camacho, 95 North, Frankie Knuckles, Tyree Cooper, Fast Eddie, Paul "Trouble" Anderson and many other to numerous to mention.

But the I have been most impressed by Robert Owens. He isn ot only an excellant singer, but he can deejay and sing at the same time. Yes Please!!!!

My favourite label has got to be Strickly Rythmn records. The have persitently released excellant House and Garage for seven years, and the subsidary labels like Master of Work records and Grove On Recordsare breaking down alot of barriers.

And my favorite artist has got to be at the moment, Master of Work,.I've bought KENNY " DOPE " GONZALES and Little " LOUIE " VEGA records for 9 years now.

Starting with early Cutting Records remixes in 1987 LOUIE VEGA'S and Peter Wheatstraw by Kenny Dope in 1988.They always seem to produce the best ever. I think that they influences are very simmilar to mine -Jazz and Hiphop.

Garage in the UK today is growing and growing. Unfortunately some promoters still think Garage, or S is the Nightcrawers or Robin S.They were excellant tunes when they first came out, but as soon they atrracted the attention of major labels, they become watered down.

There are some excellant easy listening, Deep Underground House music clubs, but it would be nicer to see more respect given to them.

I think America will always produce excellant Garage, but the UK style of Garage is not far behind. I prefer the UK music that trys to steer away from the American sound. If you just mimic the US sound your are just kidding yourself.

With regards to the next to the next big thing. To be honest I haven't a clue. I have spent alot of money on Garage in the past. I have to limit myself to a strict budget. The stuff that's coming out at the moment is very good indeed.

On my Djing exploits, you can see me regulary playing at Ipswich - Hollywoods - UK, which is the only place in East Anglia that trys to play Real Garage every week. At the moment I am concetrating on singing. I've have just finnished 10 ten tracks in the studio, that I have written and sung on.

The tracks are very Jazzy in the make up; very Gill Scott Heron sounding.

I'd love to gain a major record contract, that is my dream. But what ever happens I will always deejay, and will always long for those 9hour sets that the Americans seem to be able to gain to do. I had a go at this during the mid eighties, when they weren't as any deejays around, but look how times have changed.

Now everybody wants to become one