June -2000

I'm a North Londoner now mate! I left NYC about a year and a half ago after marrying a Brit. Then it was off to "The Smoke"- London) and I must say, so far so good. When I arrived I got a great manager who has been hooking up the gigs! Since I've been here I've had residencies at Fiction at The Cross, Denime at 333, Hi-Rise at the Home and Sugar. I've also played Electric Chair and Planet K in Manchester, The Sub Club in Glasgow, and Scaramanga, Soulsonic, The Gallery at Turnmills, The Heavenly Social and Vertigo at The Cross.

Since my move, I've also been extensively traveling Europe - Italy, France, Greece, Slovenia, Norway, Finland, Iceland, etc - and even Asia! I've also been co-producing a series of Loft classics for Nuphonic called "David Mancuso Presents The Loft". Volume One came out last summer and you can look for Volume Two at the end of this summer.

Central Park, New York City

2.Now that you are based in England, do you find the crowds react differently to sounds and tracks that you may drop within your native Home city of New York, USA? What are the differences that you can see between the 2 crowds if any?

One thing I've noticed is that the crowds are not as mixed over here - things seem to be a bit more segregated. Other than that, musically I play a variety of gigs so each one is different. I think most people know that I'm from NYC so of course they expect to hear something a bit different. I've noticed that some of the classics that were popular in NYC are quite underground here and vice versa. Its always interesting.

3.I asked this then, and I asking this now.Do you get a chance to listen to those "famous", or infamous pirate radio shows" within London? Have you been invited to play on any of them?

Well, since I've moved to North London I've been checking out the pirate stations. Where I live its mainly London underground, UK Garage, reggae and dub which is very nice. I still haven't been invited to play on one but I do have a regular internet show on www.gaialive.co.uk called Bitches Brew on alternate Wednesdays from 2 to 4 pm GMT. Also, I've done some things for GLR, Kiss and Radio One.

4.It seems as if Pirate Radio has become a way of life in London. Recent figures have suggested that there are over 60 pirates radio stations playing there geared towards Dance music alone. Is this good for dance music in general. Or does it do more harm the n good in your opinion. Are you a Pirate Radio Listener yourself?

I think pirate radio is great! Anything that promotes underground music is fine by me. Pirate radio is especially good for the medium, alone. It makes the commercial stations have to compete for the audience, even more. Also, many stations recruit from pirate radio. Radio One now has Gilles Peterson and Danny Rampling, both of whom started on Kiss when it was a pirate.

4a.You use to play on a very successful House Radio show in New York City, USA Club 89 on WNYU, 89.1FM. Is this something that you are planning to do in England. Or have the doors been shut to you over here. Is it a case of who you know over here?

Well, its always the case of who you know but also, there are already many great radio shows here - Norman Jay and Ross Allen on London Live, Patrick Forge on Kiss, Gilles and Danny on Radio One. Of course I would like to do more radio and have done some (see above) so we shall see......

5.I suppose that you are now considered a London girl Are you still amazed by the amount of available Dance vinyl that there is in England, compared to the USA? Have you visited or gone back to the USA of late? Do you miss New York? The traditional; Home of Garage. Have you worked for a London Record Shop for instance since being over here?

The records stores over here are amazing! There are so many different specialty shops especially in the West End. People are really into their particular thing - its great. For the first six months after I moved here I worked in the Latin department at Mr. Bongo and gave it a good clean up. I also learned quite a bit about salsa, Latin jazz, Brazilian and Cuban music. Yes, I do miss New York but I'm glad to be living in London. Its much more my pace at the moment. You know - its more laid back than NYC and I'm older now (ha ha). I'm going back to the States a few times in the next few months but haven't been back since I arrived. I wanted to get settled first, and well, now I feel settled.

Central Park, New York City

6.Do you get a chance to go clubbing and witness England's club scene as a clubber whilst being based in England? Do you like to club?

I don't go out as much as I used to especially because I'm working myself nearly every weekend night but I just caught the Paradise Garage party at Electrowerx with Danny Krivit, David DePino and Jeremy Newall which was fantastic. Also, really like Gilles' night at Bar Rhumba. However, I do want to check out some other scenes like Twice as Nice and The Aquarium just for something different.

7.The promise of the year 2000 was that it was suppose to bring prosperity for all. Is it still hard for women world wide to make it to a goodlevel in the world of House and Garage music as a DJ? Britain that I know of has 3 women DJ's that just comes to mind here that seem to be respected all over the country and most parts of Europe. Smokin Joe, Marica Carr and Sarah HB. What are your views?

I think the ladies are doing just fine right now - especially in Europe where it seems to be a bit easier for women. I remember back in the early 90's there was a lot of press devoted to the "all female rock band" and the riot grrrls. Now its female DJ's. Well, hopefully there will be a time when the female thing is not such a novelty but is just normal. Also, I don't want people hiring me because I'm a chick but only because they like my music. I don't want to play the dollybird thing.

8.Who, if given the chance would you like to work with in the World of House and Garage music? Masters at Work, Don Carlos, Derrick Carter, Kerri Chandler,Grant Nelson, M.J.Cole. Tuff /Jam?

Well, MJ Cole is probably one of my favorite UK producers at the moment, and of course, the masters are the masters! At the moment I'm working on something with my husband Nigel Hayes of Chaser on Soma, Twilight Recordings and Guidance. Also, working on some fresh sounding tracks with a Norwegian lady DJ, Sunshine. In the future I will be hooking up with Bettina from Flipside Records and Bougie Soliterre. Production is my focus for this upcoming year.

9.The last time that I asked this question "Who do you rate as one to lookout for in the future? Your answer was "Adam Scott, New York City". Is he still the one that you feel has got it to go to the top? Now that you are based in England. Has this changed. Have you seen someone in Europe that gets you going just as much?

Nikki Lucas is someone I think people should look out for. She's been DJ-ing for a while but hasn't received the recognition she deserves. This woman does everything: House, Techno, Dub, Dancehall, Latin, African, Rai, R&B, Hip Hop and the list goes on. She does loads of nights in London including The Shrine at The Jazz Cafe and she co-hosts Bitches Brew with me.

10.I asked this the last time as well "Are you still at peace with the press. Do you still constantly worry about being misquoted. Or do you have a good relationship with the press as a whole?" Is this a worry to you now that you are based in England. As Soulful House and Garage is taken much, much more seriously than anywhere else?:.

I'm still at peace with the press even though I'm often embarassingly misquoted. But overall its cool. No major problems.

11. Are you planning to do any DJ sets in New York, or anywhere else in states in the future. Or are you pretty much geared towards playing in the UK/Europe now?M

I have been mainly playing in Europe but in the next few months I will be going to San Francisco, Philadelphia and of course New York. Maybe even some other spots.

12.Even now this still rings true. The very mention of UK House brings about mummerings of "Here we come again", or "More please". It has led to some hefty conversations in the past from any one that is anyone within the House and Garage world. Has 2-Step Garage made its way into your box? Do you go for the more melodic 2-Step Garage approach of M.J.Cole and the Artful Dodger for example then for the more Ragga/Funk approach of say like M-Dubs..??

I like 2-step garage especially from MJ Cole and the Artful Dodger. I think it sounds really fresh. Of course, I'm more into the melodic stuff but I also like the more experimental side, as well, such as Wookie. The Ragga/Funk thing is alright - not exactly what I would play but I do like to check it out on the pirates.

13.Even though I speak of UK Garage and House. When tend to forget artists such as these..Crispin Glover, Ashley Beedle, Basement Jaxx, Smokin Beats, etc, etc Are these some of your favourites as well?

Yeah, I like those guys - especially Ashley. Other favorites are Jay Denes, Miguel Migs and the whole Naked Music posse and of course, Francois K.

14.Are you planning to release a single/or even album in the future?

Yes, just watch me now.

15. still shake my head sometimes and wonder how was it that our national radio show has on their scheduling "The Dream Team" playing undiluted Garage music to a national audience. Are you a regular listener..

I finally caught their show for the first time (I'm usually away somewhere in Europe or catching up on sleep on Sunday morns) and I thought it was great. A really good mix of music and they are a good personality team. Props to Radio One.

16.Did you still keep in touch with people that go to the club called the "The Body and Soul" in New York . Do they still rave about it? Or have they marked it down nowadays? Have you been back to it since you have moved over to England?

I haven't been back to NYC since I moved but I hear Body and Soul is doing extremely well - its packed! And the music is superb as always. I did chat with both Francois and Danny when they came to London and they seem to be very happy with it. Its great that a club that plays such good, deep soulful music is making it in New York.

Central Park, New York City

19.Are you planning to away this summer (2000) in Ibiza or Ayia Napia? Have you been asked or contacted to play out there.

Well, I haven't played Ibiza yet but I will be playing for 10,000 people in Florence, Italy and I should be going to Barcelona, as well. Hopefully I can make it too Ibiza as well.

20.I can't Understand this? Maybe you can as a DJ. Why is Todd Edwards still considered a cult figure in England. Is it his sound? Have I missed something here.?

Todd's a great guy and he pretty much started a new sound with his highly programmed, choppy samples. He's clever. And he's done some great music.

21.I asked this the last time that I interviewed you. "Your technique when playing out. Does it differ to when you are working within the structures of Radio? Do you blend more when you are on the Radio station, or vi ca versa?

Its just how I feel baby!

22. Have you got any advice for any aspiring record label producer, DJ or club owner within the world of House and Garage. Any rules that he should adhere to!!! "You mentioned that Music and programming should come first not the Beat mixing". Do you still hold by that?

I still think the programming is more important than beat mixing. And for the aspiring DJ's - stay true to your sound and don't try to be the flava of the month.

23.Out of all the people that have made Garage the most talked about music of the moment. Which person/s in your opinion has given the music its appeal that we enjoy today. Larry heard is often talked about in high reverence here. The Masters at Work and Blaze are as well. Frankie Knuckles and Tony Humpheries qualify here. Who in your opinion has made it so that Garage or Soulful House is admired the world over. Or has this been a combination of artists that have made this possible?

Its a combination of artists and DJ's:

Larry Heard, Ten City, Tony Humphreys, Frankie Knuckles, David Mancuso, Larry Levan, Francois K, Joe Claussell, Masters At WOrk, Lil Louis, Romanthony, Tommy Musto, Robert Owens, Michelle Weeks, Frankie Feliciano, Kim English and I can go on and on.

carl@garage-music.com