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

I started out playing in bands, doing rock/pop-based material as well as more experimental stuff with my school-friend Trevor under the name Plastic Lemon.

When I left school I worked in Music Instrument retail for several years, got into teaching Music Technology, then started doing session work as a programmer, keyboardist and guitarist, working on a wide variety of released material. I released a couple of tracks with DJ NickleBee some few years back that people might remember called 'InterFunk' and 'Vibin'', and have been working mostly in a Soulful UK Garage stylee ever since.

1a. Who or what had the greatest influence on what you listen to today? 1(a) Was through listen to your parents (Did they have an artists or performer that they constantly kept going on about that influenced you) 1(b) Was through listening at a early age to the Radio to a particular sound or artist 1(c) Was through going to the church (being part of a choir?) 1(d) Or was it by being forced to take musical lessons that influenced your choice?

None of the above really ….lol, although my mum's record collection was pretty cool when I was growing up - she was in to early Reggae and stuff like Chic and Barry White - kinda funky stuff. Whenever they had a party I remember them playing loads of Motown so that was a big influence too. And my cousin, Tony and his friend Ian was a huge influence - they used to play in this football team and all the guys in the team were like soul boys and whenever we had a family party they would be supplying the music so they were pretty cool family gatherings. They got me (and my mum!) into stuff like Sylvester, The Crusaders, Chic, Sister Sledge and stuff - really cool stuff. Then when I got older I discovered the Beatles and the songwriter/ band thing kinda took over.

2. Who was your first musical hero? Was it Artists from the.. Soul area Hiphop scene Rock/Heavy Metal scene Motown, The Sound of Philadelphia or Stax Records artists Jazz artists Or just any particular artist?

The Bay City Rollers - I just loved them from and early age - and the earliest track I can remember being really into was 'Sugar' by that cartoon band I can't remember - very cool and poppy - (the Archies?)

3. You are a DJ/Producer. What was the first club that you played that allow you to gain vital experience to that is invaluable now (*Maybe not as a producer, but as a Artist!) Is it still there now; and have you gone back to play there from time to time?

Well I don't DJ - I leave that side of things to James! - but the first venue I played in with a band was probably the Woolwich Tramshed (which isn't there anymore as far as I know) but everybody played there - all the big bands too - so that was a bit of a milestone.

4.Still on being a DJ/producer. What would you considered to being the music that you like playing the best when relaxing at home. USA Garage, Deep House, Disco House, Jazz House or 2-STEP Garage, Soul, Rnb or Funk! Or all of the above mentioned?

Well I don't play music much at home any more - its kinda like work - but if I do for mood its Jazz - or for a party mood it's a range of eclectic stuff, ranging from Shazz thru to The Jacksons, The Beatles, Motown or the Police and Reggae - I like old school flavor - stuff that stands the test.

5. Are you are resident DJ some where, or do you work Freelance? Have you died before?(Only write down if its applies)

Well I certainly believe in reincarnation if that's what you mean! Lol - the very first gig I think we ever played was pretty dreadful lol.

6. Have travelled abroad to work? ? (Only write down if its applies) Which was your most favourite country to DJ in, and the favourite club, and why?

I've done TV in Ireland with a certain Pop act that shall remain nameless………..lol - that's so far my only foray outside of the UK in terms of work.

7. What are your thoughts on the music such as 2-Step Garage music that is busting out of London? The music has bulldozed its way into the Garage world. It's the newest hybrid of the music within the scene. Some people hate it. Some people love it. What are your views on the scene and the music culture?

I think its time we remembered that hybrids are the way that music has always grown - it's the way that it steps out of the past and into the Future - the Nu-Future! lol. Sometimes I think the music scene in this country especially has been too precious about keeping the music under tight control. And its like parents with their kids - you need to let them grow and find their own feet - you can't keep it tied up forever without killing the very thing you love.

7A. Moving into depth within the Scene(2-Step Garage music) there is a divide and there can be no hiding under the Carpet. "Breakbeat Garage" is the term being used to describe the latest fusion within the Uk with regards to 2-Step Garage music. Are you a fan of this new Hybrid? Is this style the way forward of 2-Step Garage music as a whole do you think? Or are you from the Old School when it comes to 2-Step Garage music. Are the Artful Dodger and M.J.COLE's of this world the way forward for 2-Step Garage from England; or is future with the young and up and coming Breakbeat Garage dj/producers?

I believe its all good - diversity is a strength - I can't understand where we get this idea that it's a dilution - or that somehow a certain type of music is pure and everything else is a sell out - its all good - it all comes from the same place - and some of it touches some people more than others - its all in the vibes……The scene in this country is so strong - so vibrant - we should be proud of the fact we have such a wide range of home-grown talent here which the rest of the world is beginning to get into.

8. There seems to be a love for GARAGE at the moment that resembles the early days of Hiphop within the USA. Labels are being sought after, the pirates are canning the music. Underground clubs via word of mouth are becoming " Sought after places to visit". Is the bubble going to burst soon though do you think? Can Garage traditional or otherwise remain in the hearts of the clubbers of England for much longer? Or will R'n'b continue to gain on its popularity within England, and over take Garage and House in all its formats?

There isn't that much of a difference between RnB and Garage - the roots are the same - the sounds are even pretty much the same at the moment. One side is obviously influencing the other - back and forwards across the Atlantic - I think that's really healthy. The bubble won't burst - it will grow and evolve and the audience will change - as it always does for these things. But we will kill it off altogether if we try to keep it in the place it is in at the moment - that is the biggest danger to the scene in this country.

9. Kiss 100 Fm Radio station (London) has come in for a lot of stick for a couple of years, for moving away from its dance music ethos in favour of a more commercial and pop orientated sound, which has infuriated a large amount listening Londoners. Has in your opinion, Kiss 100 Fm (London) improved as they have secured some big names dj's of lat for the station?

I don't really listen to radio any more - I know that makes me seem like a bit of a heretic but it's the truth. I do think that the way that Kiss has changed its music policy is a shame given that they were providing a unique vision before hand. But I don't see anything wrong with a station playing commercial music - all music is commercial when people who like it start buying it! Lol

10. BBC Radio 1 seems to be championing the cause of dance music. But is this fools gold. Is this only a case of dance music being fashionable so the BBC are panicking and getting pressurised in putting on these soul, drum and bass and garage shows in fear of getting left behind? Or has the BBC really gone and done the business with regards to Network X coming on shortly. What are your views?

I don't think it matters what the rational behind it is - if they are doing the do then all power to their elbow! (or fingers…….) Good music is good music - it doesn't matter who plays it as long as people are playing it and the streets get to know it's out there.

11. Grant Nelson, Todd Edwards, Masters at Work, Blaze and Smack Productions always seem to come up in many a tear filled eyes of the old Garage raver. We are now steady seeing more and more nights around the country (England) catering for a return "Back to 1995 raves" And "Funky House and Garage nights". Is this more then coincidence? Please give me your thoughts on that matter.

Nostalgia is always big - I read today that the Sex Pistols are reforming (again!) lol - to play a gig for the Queens Jubilee this year. People always think the stuff they listened to when they were younger is better than what's happening now - I think it's a shame to get into a rut about it - but people find it hard to move on from the rosy view they have of the world when they were younger.

12.If it were possible would you prefer the playing of the long, long sets that are given to American DJ's such as Danny Tenglia of what Uk/ European DJ's can only dream of at places like the "Tunnel" and the "New Shelter" in New York, etc, etc. Then the customary 1 or 2 hours that is given out to most European DJ's? Or do you think that we have got it just right with our dj set-up?

I'm not sure it makes much difference - 1-2 hours is a long time in gigging terms - you'd have to ask James opinion on this one! Lol - I mean maybe that's not many records - but it's a long time to ask someone to focus on one task exclusively regardless of what it is! ;o)

13. The programme called "Ayia Napia -Fantasy Island" shown on Channel 4 (UK television documentary) shown towards the ending of 1999,2000 was a huge success on British Television. What did you think of it? Did it give the island a proper representation of what Ayia Napa is like? Did you see the shows? Have you ever been to "Ayia Napa"?

Haven't seen the shows - was hoping we could have gone last year with 'I Can't Wait' but it took longer to get the track out than we anticipated - so fingers crossed this year we'll be splashing on the Sun cream and packing our beachmats………

14.Do you still do your own stint of record shopping or hunting? Or do you leave it up to being supplied by labels, etc to keep you up to date? (*When you play out?) A lot of DJ's/Dj/producers 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?

Well I don't play out as I said but I do get given a lot of music for free these days - although I did do a bit of a spree in HMV sales recently and buy online from time to time.

17. 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 shops?

Motown, Stax - the last great 'sound' labels. - These days for me its pretty much if I like the artist - its all about the artist and whether I've heard some stuff I like or if there's a buzz going round about them.

18.Tell us of some of the equipment that you, to have to achieve the sounds that you are heading for?

Akai S3000XL. Roland JV2080, Roland Juno2, Yamaha DX7, Novation Drum and Super Bass Station, Emu Carnival - kinda standard stuff really - its what you do with it that makes it yours……..Just about to buy a Mac - Logic setup which will be very cool indeed -save us a lot of time editing vocals, percussion and guitar parts.

19. You have been labelled a Soulful 2-Step Producer. Are you happy with that description of what you are trying to achieve?

I love it! :o)

I've never been one for machismo in dance music (or any other music) I like my music groovey and soulful and I am a fan of songs and singers - so it kind of makes sense really. But I'm very flattered that people pick up on that vibe yes.

20. The tracks that you have made, have you heard them being played out at any of the clubs that you have attended?

Only when I've asked DJs to drop it for me before its released - I had an interesting experience once in Chicago - I was in Gap and they were playing a track I had worked on which took me a while to realise - that made me pretty excited………lol - since I didn't know it was being released over there.

21. Out of all the tracks that you have made which one is your favourite. Have you one?

In the immortal words of Browning….'The best is yet to be…..' - I'm always striving to make the next track I do the best track that anyone has ever done - and I'm never satisfied with what I do - I don't think people are really.

22. When it comes to go about making a new track. Which always seems to come first!. The lyrics or the tune?

Well it used to be lyrics in the old days - and I'm thinking of doing that again for a while - just to try something fresh - but mostly its groove then tune/lyrics at the same time then putting it all together as a song structure then deconstructing it to make it more dance compatible.

23.The Pirate Radio culture that has existed more so in London, and around the rest of the UK. Seems to be still growing. Are you a listener of Pirate Radio station especially in London? Do they appeal to you?

I love the idea of the pirates - that kind of freshness - but like I said before I don't listen to much radio these days.

23.The BBC's Sunday Radio show (England), that features the Dreem Teem is probably the most listened to Dance music show on the station in England. Their choice of R'n'b and UK Garage music has won many over. However, many harden critics of styles of both music would like to see the show cater for just one. Garage fans complain that the show is taken up with R'n'b Tracks that could be used for more Garage releases. And visa versa. What is your opinion on this matter? Are you a listener to this show?

Well I don't listen to their show but I've got a lot of time for them - and I respect their right to play what is hitting them at that time - people can be too precious and that is constricting on artists - this show is their show - if you tune in it must be cause you like it don't it?

24. Who do you rate as one to look out for in the future (DJ - then Dj/producer wise?)? Who should we keep an eye out for! From your own country? DJ/ music artist/s producer and from what you have heard or seen from abroad? DJ/ music artist/s producer.

DJ James Alexander /DJ Emma Feline - Emma's production is wicked - she's got great ideas, she's really cool - and she's my mate! Lol DJ Jeffrey Hinton - the unsung garage genius of the London gay scene.

25.Changing the subject one more. And putting you on the spot. American Garage and Soulful House Producers seem to be taking more an interest into what is happening in the UK these days then ever before. From 2-Step Garage to Broken beats sounds coming out of London. Is there any thing that we "brits" should take from the Americans or people from Europe and Around the world, regarding the different styles of production when concerning House and Garage music?

Just the vibe - Definition of Sound did this track called 'Pass the Vibes on' - and that's what music is all about - its like that ceremony they do every year at the Olympics with the flame - that's what music is - it's a back and forwards thing - you stay in one place too long with it and the flame dies……..(hey! that's deep!….lol)

26. I mentioned clubs earlier on, is there a particular club that you frequent with regards to going to enjoy ones self these days? Come on tell us of that club that you go to to let your hair down!

Queer Nation, Brixton - although haven't been for a while. - Wicked DJs (Dream team have played down there) DJ Jeffrey Hinton is the Bomb and great friendly crowd and the vibe is always brilliant…….."Full marks Queer Nation…..Keep up the good work!"

27. 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!

Yeah never follow any rules …………unless it's the ones that you usually break…….lol

All rights of the text and the images belong to Carl Brown, Ipswich, England and Stephe Meloy (London, England). If you which to use any of this interview. Please contact us. Copyright laws apply.

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