1.For the not so clued up person in regards to the world of Soulful House and Garage, music could you tell us how you got started in this profession?

I got started at the age of 6 studying classical piano, and continued my music education until I went to Music college in Moscow, Russia, where I continued with classical music and Jazz in addition to that. Then my family immigrated to the USA and I went to Berklee College Of Music in Boston, MA. After Berklee I moved to NY and started giging with Jazz, top 40 and black Gospel bands. Working with black gospel bands is how I met some of the singers that worked with me later on Bottom Line label, (Vivien Lee was one of them) I'm sure you are familiar with "Music is so wonderful" track that she sang so beautifully. I always liked to write music and songs and had pretty good arranging skills so it was a natural step for me to start making original songs. At first I was trying to get a deal with pop/R&B type material, but then in 1985 I had my 1st record released and believe it or not it was rap. But it got a lot of air play and did pretty well. At that point I discovered the whole underground house music scene and that all labels were very receptive to hear a good club record, so I started going to clubs, listening to house music and pretty soon made my first house record which was the original "Music Is so Wonderful" By Vivien Lee. It was released in 1986 the first time. After that I continued getting deal after deal with labels like Supertronics ("Irrisistible"), Classified records (Red Follies, "Broken Promises"), Sutra, Quark, Atlantic, Jump Street, Mic Mac, and many others, around 30 different labels. Then in 1990 I decided to start Bottom Line Records…the rest is history.

1B. You seem to be a big hit within the World of House and Garage music in regards to your melodic vocal/funky yet groovy approach to House music in the early 1990's. For instances I remember first hearing your label called on Bottom Line Records during the early 1990's. The first tracks that I heard were these "New Jersey Boy" A Jerzey Thang (EP)", and the other was track was called "Sweet Love"...by RED FOLLIES fea. M.J.WHITE. How did Bottom Line records come about? Was Bottom Line Records just you. Or was there a good woman behind your success?

First of all, it sounds like you missed out on some real nice records Jerzzey Boy was #46 and "Sweet Love" was #10. There were some very good ones in between in my opinion. After making records for all these other labels and having to wait for royalties for a long time, or sometimes forever, I put some money together and released my first record on Bottom Line in November 1990. Since I am a classicly trained musician and had my roots in jazz, R&B and black gospel that kinda explains the "melodic vocal/funky yet groovy approach to House music" I did have lots of help from my now ex-wife Nancy, who helped in the studio and performed most of the office work. I also had a lot of help from Nelson "Paradise" Roman, with whom, together, I produced a large number of Bottom Line's releases.

2.Who was the major influence for you within the World of SoulHouse and Garage music and why??? Do you still cater for this music? Is Bottom line records still going?

No one in particular, I listened to everything, pretty much, but in those days the clubs were hopping to Todd Terry's "Bango, Bango", "House music all night long" Frankie Knuckles and Tony Humphries mixes on the radio. I pretty much did my own thing within the "house" format. Most people considered the Bottom Line sound pretty distinctive. I did sign some records from other producers, but they were alone the same line of groovy soulful sounding Garage.

2a.Did having a huge single releases as mention above so early in the lables career. Did this put to much pressure on you to come out with another monster hit singles, time after time? Remember you were also competing with Strictly Rhythm, Nervous and Nu Groove Records(Usa Labels) at the time?

I wasn't trying to come up with a "hit record", rather just did what I enjoyed and my records were different from what Strictly was putting out. Nu Groove I think was just going out of business and Nervous didn't exist until 92 or 93 I think. At the time when I started Bottom Line Mike Wise (owner of Nervous) was working for his family business which was a pretty big one stop distributor and they actually used to distribute Bottom Line.

3.A few people that I have talked to about Soulful House and Garage music have become disillusioned by the state of affairs within the World Of House and Garage music. Is this or was this the case for you? This is strange because House and Garage music now can be mentioned in the same breath as Jungle, Techno and Acid House was years ago, especially within England...Are you one of the disillusioned?

When this whole garage house music scene started dying out I really started feeling it in terms of sales in 95-96 to the point of stopping releasing records in 1996. The last record I released on Bottom Line I thought was a really good one. In 1992 I would have sold at least 3-4 thousand of that one but in 1996 it only sold about 300 and that's when I new that I had to stop. It was a very painful time. This wasn't just something that I did for enjoyment, this was my livelihood and when I couldn't support myself and my family with this I had to find other means of making a living. I was extremely frustrated with the situation and didn't even want to go into the studio. On top of that, I went through a divorce at the same time. I started doing odd jobs just trying to make a living, stuff like laying irrigation pipes under the hot Florida Sun. A few months down the road I started doing some graphic design and took some marketing courses. And then in the end of 1996 I started my new label-U-Turn Records.

3b.Garage City and the Loft (both situated in London) are often mentioned over here as places to go if you want to hear or see playing Soulful type House within the capital of England... Many people from abroad still have this image of London of being a place obsessed with Speed Garage/2-Step Garage and Break Beat tunes....Is this fair? Have you ever visited England before? Have you noticed this on your travels if you have been?

I was in London only once in 1992 and at that time House/ Garage was very popular all over the place.What happened later, I don't know.

4.I posed this question to DJ Cosmo (USA, now living in the UK) (A couple of years back), and now I'm going to pose it to you. Have you ever been given the chance to play or being aired on those famous or infamous Pirate Radio Show's within London or Outside London in your career; any of them at all? Would you like to be featured on them at all? Does Pirate Radio serve a purpose, or have they outstayed their welcome? What are the rules and the state of play in your own country governing Pirate Radio? Is it popular out there in the USA as it is in England?

Here in the USA the FCC is really strict and they shut them down as soon as they can. I know that almost all of my records were played on pirate stations in the UK. Kiss FM in London used to be a pirate station…they always played the shit out of my records. When I was in London I did a live interview on Kiss FM, nice people there! I guess it's ok to be featured on a pirate station as long as it's non-profit and It's done for the love of music and not meant to make money for someone off of other people's work.

5.Keeping on the radio subject...Have you ever had a spell as a DJ on Radio?

No never on the radio, just in lots and lots of clubs.

6.Could you see this being you in a couple of years time...doing radio work?

Sure why not if I had an offer, I'd take it.

6a.Are you a Record Horder? Do you still do your stint of record shopping or hunting? Or do you leave it up to being supplied by promo's to keep you up to date. A lot of DJ's, Music artists nowadays survive by living of what given to them by Record labels of all shapes and sizes. What about you. Does this apply to you?

I mostly buy my own records. I'm not a junkie, so I don't do it on a weekly basis, but whenever I'm in a record shop, if I like something I'll buy it.

7.Being a DJ/Producer within the venue of Soulful House music, has the music of Soulful House and Garage reached such a saturation point that it has become stale... Is there too much vinyl being put out nowadays? What are your thoughts?

I think the market did get oversaturated. The computer technology allowed people who don't have any musical background suddenly become record producers…not that all of it is bad, but the market got flooded and we are all seeing the result of that…

8.Other countries within the world of Soulful House and Garage are following the music religiously... Notably Finland, Holland and Norway.... Is this something that you are aware of...?

No, I am doing electronica now days so haven't been following, what's happening around the world in terms of Garage.

9.If you had a Club that was yours to do with what you will.. What would be you music policy within the spectrum of House music...??

Oh God, you know that this is not a realistic scenario, so what's the point of trying to come up with the answer…

10. If you were given the chance as DJ/producer would you like to work with in the World of Soulful House and Garage music to produce a track? Who would you choose? Masters at Work, Don Carlos, Derrick Carter, Kerri Chandler, Grant Nelson, Joey Negro, Urban Blues Project, Blaze, Todd Edwards, Mood 2 Swing, Larry Heard, St.Germain..Who??

I would love to work again with Vivien Lee, regretfully she tragically died in a car accident…I'd love to do tracks with MJ White and Pheonix again, they are great people and talented artists. We do keep in touch with them, but since I'm doing a different type of music now we haven't gotten together creatively on anything…From the people you mentioned, I really like Kerri Chandler's style of production.

11.Are you 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? Or do you sometimes have to muzzle yourself just in case you bring yourself down...???

I would say a good relationship, never had any problems.

12.The very mention of UK Underground House/Speed Garage or its latest label 2-Step Garage brings about mummerings of "Here we go again", or "More please". It has led to some hefty and heated conversations/exchanges on the "World famous Global House-mail forum in the past" for instances.

And also many heated arguments in Us and UK magazines as well. Many have see UK Underground House fans (* Speed Garage ) see it as a breath of fresh air by getting rid of the old and tired record promoters, producers, who go by the same old routine of producing and promoting the same sounds... Others who's views are just as strong with their detrimental views towards UK Underground House claim it to be a pile of "Do Doo"... What are you thought's about it?... Have you heard any of it?

No I have not, therefore no thoughts…

14.Changing the subject again..Are you signed to any label of anykind? And if so, who else have they signed along side of you? Any important Releases that we should keep a look out for from the label? Many people within the music world will always place you with Bottom Line Records. Are you fond of this, or is this a hindrance?

I am putting records and CDs out on my new label- U-Turn Records. It's mostly Electronica, breaks and progressive house type stuff. A lot of records on U-Turn have vocals from familiar classic Bottom Line Records…I'm also licensing a few Bottom Line tracks a year. The CD releases to look for are: "Electronica Vol. 1" and a brand new one: "United We Funk" These are mixed CDs and the artist is your's truly DJ Ed The Red.

U-Turn Record staff, plus Ed "The Red" Goltsman

15.It seems as if New York via its records labels are hitting back of late which have definitely caught the eye of the Soulful Head buyers in England and Europe..

Already Spiritual Life, Guidance, Ibadan, !Records, YellowOrange and Naked Music are starting to become cult status over here... Is it a case of "The Empire Strikes Back!!!" Or have you seen this all before with Strictly, Nervous, Easy Street, Area 10, Nu-Groove, during the early 1990's.

Honestly, who knows? I was in NY about a year ago and my feeling was that the house club scene was very small and not very exciting, nothing like in the late 80s, early 90s.

16.It was great to see that the country of France with their growing roster of stars within House music are adding their influence to House and Garage music; also together with their disco influenced House and Garage sounds now being taken much more seriously. What do you think of the influence that Disco music is making in regards to House and Garage Music. What did you think of DISCO when it first came around? Did you ever like Disco music?

I just licensed a Tammy Banks "My Life" track to a French company, seems like they are into that sound now days. And Yes I liked Disco when it came out. I liked a little more funky style of Disco though, not so much the "Love Boat" theme kind.

17.Can you see a day when we might be receiving imports from India, China and Russia in regards to House and Garage music. Or am I really being optimistic?

I don't know about Garage, but some kind of house, why not? It's possible…

18.The Body and Soul club on a Sunday in New York is often talked about as New York's finest Deep House and Garage club. Have you been? Or is it a case of not having the time. Would you go if you had the time?

I would go, but I live in Florida now, so it would be a long ride

19.Clubbing in England seems to be the thing to do for people from Thursday to Sunday...Surely the popularity of clubbing can't go on forever..? Many people are talking of pre-club bars as taking over fully fledge night clubs to hear the most happening sounds on the dance music scene. Is this the case of what's happening in your area of the world??

Yes it is, but Florida is a very different market from NY or London. Electronica in the form of breaks, progressive house and trance are big here. Clubs who have this music, cater to a very young rave type crowd. Clubs who are trying to attract 25 and up crowd are usually playing the top 40 radio shit.

20.As labels go..Have you a favourite One that you always stop by as you flick through the piles of Records in your specialist record shop?

I think lots of labels have some real good records and not so good ones, would be hard to single one out.

21.Larry Heard, Ron Trent and Glen Underground often in the news due to their Deep House efforts with regards to House and Garage music. Is Deep House still your preferred Style of Soulful House and Garage music?

No, I would say that I just like great music weather it's deep house, breaks, Jungle, Enigma, Santana or Mozart.

22.Do you think that there is a danger of relying too much instrumental tracks to get the crowds going within House and Garage raves? Do you prefer vocal based House and Garage tracks to "Deep House or melodic instrumental House music... or the playing of Dub tracks instead? What are you views on this?

I was always more into a "SONG" based club music. But some instrumental tracks are great too. I just don't really like very minimalistic, basic tracks that somebody spends 2 hours putting together

23.A lot of my question are geared around New York, New Jersey and Europe. Are you or were you a fan of Chicago -House; or House music from Washington/Baltimore area of the USA, then or now.?

Yes I used to listen to Chicago house quite a bit, but mostly NY and New Jersey house.

24.We are well into the year 2000. We are seeing more and more of Soul or RnB based vocalists who used to consider Vocal House and Garage tracks as second class Soul Tracks making bonifide House tracks!!!. A few artists have noted that their real loves will always be rooted in Soul music. However, of late Jocelyn Brown and Marsha Wash have stated their love for the music. (House and Garage!!) Have you found this over the years. Soul and Rnb vocalist artists were snubbing House and Garage music because it has an image that is rooted in Disco music..?

Not really sure about that, singers who came to work with me were into the house music, some were more into gospel, but enjoyed working on house tracks with me.

25.Talking about putting one's foot up. When you do get the chance to do so. Do you ever read the Dance Magazines? And if so which one and why this particular one? Or is it a case of using you spare time to get away from music all together?

I don't read zines that much, but when I do it's usually XLR8R, Lotus, Mixer. They seem to cater more toward the type of dance music that I'm producing and releasing now.

26.Have you got any advice for any aspiring record label producer, DJ, Vocalist or club owner within the world of House and Garage. Any rules that he should adhere to!!!

Yes, learn marketing that was my downfall, I was just a musician, producer and didn't know anything about marketing and sales. I'd be much better off financially now if I new then, what I know now.

27.Any Dj/producer to watch out for in the future from your area in the world?

Yeah, watch out for Ed The Red and his new label U-Turn Records. We have a great distributor now that is putting our CDs in most chain stores. I'm trying to get a couple of big name DJs to do a Bottom Line mixed compilation CDs for me, but am having a hard time tracking them down, doing very well with my new web site: www.u-turnrecords.com where you can see and hear all of the U-Turn and Bottom Line catalogues.

carl@garage-music.com