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| Would everything have already been written? An interrogation being regularly at the center stage of the conversations here and there, having many people tending to say so. Couldn’t totally agree to this as far as we’re concerned, in the name of the evolution process born out of the works of those we call the creators. As a matter of fact, it remains quite tempting to think that without their contributions we might fairly well keep on listening to so called classical music if not baroque and speaking Latin or antique Greek... |
| That’s exactly where New Yorker DJ Spinna is at, redifining the soul and more widely the groove itself while integrating today’s tool, as brilliantly demonstrated by his third solo effort, surrounded by a whole bunch of guests, from former BNH singer N’Dea Davenport to Eric Roberson aka Erro, Selan, Christian Ulrich of Tortured Soul and many others. More explanations with the man himself... |
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Heya, long time no spoken, wassup bro? How has it been since last time we met (eurgh, already the Sunslice Festival if not doin’ a mistake !!!)?
Everything's good and busy on my end. Fatherhood for a two years old daughter, a new house, and a new album. Can't really complain. |
Changes occure on an almost everyday basis as far as the production is concerned nowadays. How do you see the current situation?
That's a pretty broad question but there are many interesting things happening at the moment from Dabrye and J Dilla to Carl Craig and DFA. |
Many people have come back with heavy critics about the yearly Miami gathering. Your reaction?
I had a ball in Miami this year. I played some amazing parties and enjoyed myself at others such as the Rich Medina Jump N Funk and the Shelter party. |
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When having a look at today’s situation and despite the assistance of technology, it seems like more and more hard to work on a long term basis, as opposed to what’s supposed to be needed in order to establish a name. In other words, seems like it’s the latest who’s talked who’s right if you see what I mean. How do you see that?
Everthing's in shambles but there's always hope. The digital revolution is making CD and vinyl sales harder, but easier to access the music online, and at the same time smaller indie artists can make their music available to the world without the middle man. |
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In order for an artist to keep their name out there you have to make music and get it out. You got to get in people’s faces by touring and making appearances. That can be hard work but technology has helped that situation because if you
can't physically make it to a show, you can go online.
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The development of technology has been synonymous with a whole bunch of peeps putting sounds together on their own (I mean alone). Isn’t that somehow a non sense considering that music has to be spoken this suggesting the presence of at least 2 people in order to be developped like any other language around.
I would definitely not say that. You have people like Prince who plays several instruments as well as Stevie Wonder who can practically put together masterpieces on their own with technology or with live instruments. It's really the man behind the machine if you know what I mean. If you rely only on technology and have no sense of how to physically play a keyboard or program a beat like a real drummer then that could be an issue. But there's so many great producers that make good music on their own that you can't really discredit their talent. |
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I sometimes have the feeling that the way music is... spoken nowadays is about the same as the way language is generally written by people when exchanging texts over the phone. In other words, in a sort of intituively manner. As a result, how can people think about putting out timeless music when acting like this?
It takes one to make the music and one to listen. That's how language is passed on just like music. If one person is making the music it's fine. As long as it's heard, that's what matters. |
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A good friend of mine recently said to me that a vaste majority of contemporary music isn’t made anymore to last say for life like back in the daze, but to respond to some basic economic need. Would you agree with this?
We live in a very capitalist society. Obviously some artist are in this business to cash in, and others are in it for the art. Usually the ones that only care about the money side may have one temporary hit as opposed to someone who's in it for the soul that may create something people can listen to for a long time |
An extreme generally leads to another. Any comment?
People react on extremeties. That's why it leads to another. There's instant reaction whether good or bad |
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What’s your definition of a good song?
A good song is something that touches the soul. It doesn't matter if it's rock, jazz, hip hop, techno, reggae or R&B. There's good music and bad music. But what one thinks is good, someone may think is bad. It all depends on what kind of person you are. Some people have no soul. |
Funny how disco vibes seem to remain so alive after nearly 3 decades. Any comment?
Disco exists in many forms. The terminology has transgressed into house, techno, electro etc. It remains because people need a way to express themselves and let loose of all their hang ups. Dancing could very well be the best way to express this kind of release. You forget about all of your troubles while dancing. Therefore, disco will never die. |
You no doubt have a trademark. Who have you got your influences from?
Those you’ve seen the efforts of as quintessential?
I'm influenced by people like Stevie Wonder and James Brown for melody and rhythm and funk, Jazz for emotion and Soul for the soul. I like and listen to all kinds of music. Diversity is my template. |
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Tell us about your own background... The way you build a piece of music... The basic elements needed to have a good piece of music, in terms of melody, arrangements, sound spectrum, etc... Do you have precise pictures in mind when creating a piece of music?
I grew up playing a few instruments such as the violin, clarinet and keyboards but never went all the way through as being a profound musician. But all of that education at an early age definitely helped
and trained my ear for music and tonality. So no matter if I'm sampling drum beats and playing parts out on a keyboard, or working with established musicians that can further my vision musically, I know what I hear and I see a picture while creating songs |
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Let’s talk about this new album. Its starting point, its concept...
It started three years ago and the first track recorded was the title track with Phonte from Little Brother. Over the next years I would find artists that I would hear as a match for the project like Eric Roberson and Stephanie Mckay and create tracks to match their vocal style.
The idea behind Intergalactic Soul is simply soul music with a hint of electronic synths across genres. I wanted to cover hip hop, broken beat, future soul and jazz, but in my own way.
Seems like most of today’s people are making rounds and rounds when producing. Could it be that house music is dead?
House music is not dead. It's just not doing as well as it used to because records aren't selling, producers and artists aren't making money. This actually can said for more that just house music. But the urge to make the music is still there somehow. People want to express themselves and music sometimes is the greatest outlet. This is where you find people making house music more for the right reasons. In a way it's good that it's underground because it leaves less room for mediocracy.
You seem like quite versatile. Have you seen this as a necessity in order to avoid the risk of repeating yourself ?
I'm versatile because I like good music, period. No other reason. You can be diverse and still repeat yourself.
Some people tend to say that everything’s been written. Isn’t that somehow a non sense for the producer that you are? How do you see the (possible) future?
Is there some space/possibility for a new genre to emerge such as hip hop, house, techno and jungle back in the days?
We recently had broken beat in the last ten years coming out of London, so anything's possible.
Suppose you are new comer, would you act the same as you did to make
yourself a name?
Most likely I would act the same way. Everything I do has soul and that's the key word. James Brown tried his hand at soul, latin, blues and jazz. Stevie Wonder was influenced by Brazil, rock, jazz, and country music and it reflected in some of his recordings so why shouldn't I be diverse?
The next step for you...
I'm going to continue being funky and soulfull no matter what.
Thank you for your time. Always a pleasure. Peace,
MFSB
DJ SPINNA Intergalactic Soul LP (Papa Records)
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