The
elements of life album was released I Japan before Europe and America
was there a particular reason for this
I really wanted it to be right, you know have proper distribution
and marketing, I wanted the time to be right. This has happened
and it's due to come out at the end of February.
Is
it coming out on Vega records
Yes it's a very personal record that really needs to be....
How
did that project compare to the Nu Yorican Soul project
It has more of a world music aspect to this album. It has six different
languages and there are a lot of different cultures in there, which
the Nu yorican soul project did have but this is more internationally
based.
The
birth of your child Nico must have been a monumental moment in your
life, has it given you a new and fresh outlook on life
Oh yes definitely. It has taught me to celebrate life and I am very
proud of my wife and child. In fact they where the main influence
behind the Elements of life album. In fact that's what the whole
album is about.
Will
the album be released on vinyl
Yes that will be released in February at the same time as the CD.
Also there will be a remix album to accompany it.
What
producers can we expect to see on the remix Lp
The whole album has been remixed by people like DJ Spinna, Joe Clausell,
Osunlade, DJ Gregory, Kenny Dope, really just all my friends got
together and wanted to get down on the project. I will be releasing
it in June.
I also have some new singles due. I did a new one with Blaze a new
one with Ananey and Raoul Midon.
You
played a new Terry Hunter song to me recently is that due out on
the label
Its going to be on MAW. He did a great job on that song. I haven't
got an exact date but hopefully mid December if not early June
What's
the next release due on Vega records
The next single is Nos Vida by Anane with Mon Amour on the b-side
which is earth song.
DJ Gregory has remixed these and we have a MAW mix. This will be
our 1st picture disc.
What
was the idea behind putting a picture disc out
First of all she is so beautiful we thought it would be a good idea
to sell her in that way. A picture disc hasn’t been done in
a while. It's just so colourful and beautiful.
So
will this be a Limited edition
Yes only 3000 will be pressed
What's
your favourite country to play in?
I would say Japan, Italy, There are a lot of beautiful places
to play, Greece, Athens of coarse the U.K Up north (Southport
weekender)
Do
you find you have to vary your style or sound from place to place
I think there is a basic style I have when it comes to house music,
but it can get a lot more eclectic depending on the crowd.
Is
there one particular record that's always in your record box
I would probably say Candido thousand-finger man.
Apart
from yourself jellybean in my opinion is one of the few people
to play a similar style to you. Have you ever considered collaborating
together?
We have actually thrown a few party's together at home he has
a really nice club called the moon square ballroom. We haven't
really talked about any thing musically but there has been some
sparks of ideas doing some contact work on sound tracks.
As
a retailer and record store guy I often get comments on the
quality of pressings on vinyl, how do you go about controlling
the quality of the pressings at MAW
It's a matter of experimenting. We work with a lot of pressing
plants you basically try and get the best possible cut that
you can
So
it's a case of trial and error then
Yes we have worked with 4 different plants but now have it down
to 2 so we are getting pretty close
Mike Ciro
How
long Have you been collaborating with Louie
Since around 1995, I think one of the first tracks I did with
him was one that India did the vocals on, I can't remember the
name of the track, its so long ago now and I've done so much
its hard to keep track, I'm too ocupied with present day stuff!
Is
there many any other DJs and Producers that you play for
I play with a lot of producers and I also produce myself, I
play with a lot of different people and acts, I do a lot of
R&B stuff, I played on Mariah Carey's 'Butterflys' I played
on lots of Hip Hop records with people like Biggie Smalls, loads
of live performances and old R&B. I just worked with Alicia
Keys on some solo piano and guitar so I kinda' work with a whole
cross section of artists and styles.
What
was the last gig you played ahead of tonight here at Ministry
I did a live show last week with Alicia Keys in New York for
her new record that was the last big gig I played in and then
I did one with Sarah Divine too she had a gig in New York also.
So
your playing live along side Louie tonight, is that a new thing
for you, playing along with a DJ during his set or is it something
your used to doing
No we've been doin' it for about three or four years now on
and off. We did it here at Ministry about two years ago and
a bunch of shows in Naples - so yeah I think its goin' on for
about for years in all now, Its my favorite because its so free
and Louie's such a great DJ we simply bounce off each other,
he starts something and we start out with a vibe and he tells
me what he wants and then we work it from there, its sort of
like a spiritual improvisation and it works very well. Its almost
like working with a band, he works with the EQ's and filters
and creates some great sounds and I love that you know I think
it all sounds great and I never thought I would a while back,
its strange I tell friends of mine that I'm go off to Europe
to play along with a DJ and there like Ok!!?? and they don't
understand the whole vibe with it, but I love it and am very
much looking forward to our set later tonight...
A
big thank you to Louie Vega and Mike Ciro for their time and
to Kelly and Ollie from Soul Heaven for arranging everything.
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