Nuttin’ better than compare opinions as far as the subject of a common interest is concerned. Most of you should know/have heard of him for droppin’ snippets on our various forums – incl. ours - under the
BigHaus guise. Truly devoted to his passion (house music), he eventually gave birth to one of the most interesting dedicated websites around by the likes of
bouncefm.com. The Miami festivities bein’ just around the bent, we’ve managed to have him in the opposite position as his usual one, occupying the interviewee’s seat. Ladies & gents: please welcome Muema…
Well, well, well. Time for you to be on the opposite position as compared to the one which is usually yours while answering our Q's. One first comment?
This is weird for me. I ask the questions, NOT answer them!
Would you mind having a few words as an introduction to where you're coming from, who you are and where you intend to go.
I’m coming from Kenya, I’m in New York and I intend to go to Bermuda!
I've sometimes heard people sayin about those doin' a job like ours as reviewers/interviewers that they have somehow the regret of not havin' been able to produce music themselves?Getting involved in making music evolved naturally over time. I’ve always had great respect for DJ’s who can move a crowd, and to date, I’ve never had any interest or desire in DJing or producing music. Lately, the opportunity to make a record with longtime friends DeepSwing came about and I had some ideas and it worked out great!
Eric Wikman (Deepswing/Sunkids), Andrew Deloza (long time LA House DJ) and I teamed up to write a new song that has elements of Jazz, Funk and straight up House. Entitled... "We Can Do It" (In the Mix), I speak about the ingredients of love, soul and togetherness that is the basics of what we enjoy most about our special musical style in this industry. Mixes include the original pumping mix that has a similiar feel to "In the Music", and of course Deepswing's trademark super soul Jazzy Affair mix with David Vasquez once again gracing the Fender Rhodes. This mix is for the musically inclined. Topping off the vinyl release is another secret weapon mix with LA's - Jake Devere's Binary Soul Rub. Laidback grooves and soft-lucious keys are what this mix is all about. Already getting good feedback on this one from Italy to Oz. Recorded at Deepswing's Studio Los Angeles. **Keep an eye out for upcoming mixes from Adam Cruz' "Mixtape Sessions Mix" & Javier Drada!
What has led you to be in the position you are nowadays and launch this site of yours? Would it be because you haven't been offered the appropriate space by some publication?
The opposite. I started out in this game as a freelance writer and photographer. My photos have appeared in
-
Magazines (TimeOut New York, Vibe, Billboard),
-
Books (Music in America : Experiencing Music, Expressing Culture (Global Music Series) by Adelaida Reyes),
-
Scholarly Journals (The Bulletin for the Society for American Music * Vol. XXXII, No. 1 – PHOTO ESSAY: House Music is American Music – House Dance is American Dance)
-
-
Websites (too many to mention)
When I first started, I would be asked to write articles or take photographs on spec for magazine. Then either they would not run the article, or run it 3 months later from when it was provided, or edit it completely different from what was created. Rather than get mad, I took action. I had interviewed a local DJ, DJ Emily for about 2 hours and the magazine at press time decided they didn’t have space and would not run the article. Rather than lose my credibility with the DJ for taking her time and not running the interview, I created my first website, SpeedGarage.com and posted the interview there. That’s how it all began.
What’s your view of the current (written) press?
It’s sad that so many house/dance music magazines have folded over the years. I recall loving to read Flyer, Muzik and Ministry magazines. So few magazines remain. I find I tend to read everything from newspapers online to a number of blogs to find out what’s happening in the world. I enjoy reading Maureen Dowd in the NY Times. I enjoy reading the following: nytimes.com/, nypost.com/, bbc.co.uk/, nerdgirl.com/, coolhunting.com and gizmodo.com.
For house music news, the best barometer are house music messageboards, everything from:
-
Purefuture
-
Dtourism
-
DistrictSoul
-
UndergroundNYC
-
DeepHousePage
-
UniversDjs
-
DJhistory
Using a French expression, you do not seem like hesitate to point your finger where it hurts. Any comment?
As a journalist, I believe it’s important to ask the tough questions, but I’m also cautious that this is a powerful tool not to be abused. Pointing fingers and attacking people is not my intention, rather I encourage healthy debate. By talking about what’s on our mind, we can take steps to improve the situation.
It tends to look like many people have got customized to this whole bunch of obligingness around. As if criticising was seen as a deadly sin.
True.
Have you ever felt like what we're doin' might be taken like a drop of water in an ocean?
Sometimes. But when you travel around the world and get positive feedback, or get an email from someone in London who’s saved each and every one of my email blasts from day one. Or someone in Italy who loves the photos. Or someone in LA, who learned about a new DJ, then it’s all worthwhile.
How do you see the current situation as far as music is concerned?
The music industry is changing. The old business models don’t work. The distribution systems have changed as have the mediums of portability. The music industry is in a period of flux and badly needed correction. I believe the future is bright.
I have recently noticed a kind of resurgence of people going back to true musicianship such as Wil Milton, Jihad Muhammad and Steal Vybe to name but a few. Could those people prefigure the arrival of a new era???
I believe so. The music was stale for a while, but there’s been a change, especially so over the past 6 months. I think the house music downturn was a good thing. Although a lot of people lost their jobs in the industry, a lot of people were into house music for the wrong reasons. Those folks are no longer with us. The scene is like a muscle, leaner and in a sense stronger. In NYC the scene is robust: Monday nights is DeepSpace with Francois K, Tuesday nights is DeeSee with DJ Lola & Eman, Wednesday nights is Roots with Keving Hedge, Friday nights (monthly) is Alma with DJ True & Miller Cruz and Sunday nights (monthly) is Fresh Fruit with Quentin Harris or Gravity with Wil Milton or 718 Sessions with Danny Krivit.
How do you see the current usefulness of Miami as far as the house scene - I mean the one we both love - is concerned?
In my opinion, at this point in time, Miami is like Paris Hilton, or rollerskating in Central Park or Pamela Anderson, popular but no longer relevant. Miami has changed and the conference has changed.
The Miami of TV show Miami Vice was bit run down, but a pleasant place to spend a warm weekend when the winter takes over NYC. Miami during the month of March these days includes:
-
Hip hop thugs roaming the streets by day and night with camcorders shooting women’s backsides
-
Hookers on Collins Avenue after midnight
-
A mandatory 15% gratuity that is added to your bill, regardless of the quality of the service
-
Spring break students who can’t hold their liquor throwing up on Ocean Avenue at 4am
-
Clubs don’t honor guest/RSVP lists because they don’t have to, somebody behind you in line will pay the $40 cover charge and the club will happily accept it
The conference has grown so large that
· It’s hard to have a “song of the conference” as there are so many parties. Therefore the probability of one song being played at 2 or 3 key parties and making impact is greatly reduced.
· There are so MANY parties but few GOOD parties
· The parties don’t seem to work together. I recall last year (2005) two deep house parties were scheduled on the same day at the same time. Their crowd is the same. What happened to working together? Is there no communication?
· It’s become a mecca for “house music tourism”. That is people, who have no affiliation to house music who come to have a good time and party. That’s good for the hotels and parties in terms of making money, but in so doing, I has changed the Miami networking dynamic.
In Miami I will miss:
-
DJ Rated M’s mixtape. His annual Miami mix is always HOT
-
DJ BigWill’s mixtape. His annual mix is always a keeper.
-
Sushi Samba on Lincoln Mall. Good food.
-
Record shopping at Base on Lincoln Mall, they have a good selection
-
The Giant Step Pool party, an annual tradition that’s always hot!
-
The West End Records party – this is slammin!
I’ve attended Miami every year since 1998. Over the past 3 years, the costs outweigh the benefits of attending. I’ve decided to take a break from Miami in 2006. Next year, I’ll re-evaluate Miami and decide if it’s worth attending.
Any material in your possession that you see makin' the buzz over there?
Lots of Black music, which is not house, but they are great singers. Some have already been remixed into house, other should be. Everyone from:
-
Lela James
-
Jaguar Wright
-
Syleena Johnson
-
Heather Headley
-
Lizz Fields
Isn't that sort of ironical seing a such hudge amount of money spent on this event by people who, for most of'em, don't even have a pic pf'em available on Internet???
It’s true. It’s the power of an unlimited budget.
I've been delightfully surprised seing you recently launching a new section on your site dedicated to recipes as far as cooking is concerned. How did you get into this and isn't that to be taken as another sign of your search for hedonism?
Ah, but it is a search for cooking hedonism. The delight of a chicken parmiggiano sandwich from Giovanni’s on 149th street and the Grand Concourse in the South Bronx or Chicken Tikka Makhani at Calcutta restaurant in NYC, or Arroz Con Polo and Maduros from Malecon restaurant in Washington Heights, NYC, or the Chicken Kebab sandwich from Zaytoons on Smith Street in Brooklyn, or the Sour Cream Apple Walnut pie from the littlepiecompany.com. These are life’s great pleasures!
Anyway, whatever it might be - vibes or ingredients - this remains a matter of… mixing (and sense of aesthetics)! What's your definition of a good recipe then?
Right now, my favorite recipe is Cabiria’s Chicken Soup con Sabor:
Spicy and delicious!
One thing that you would take on a desert island ?
Mp3 player with one tetrabyte or space for all my favorite songs and mixes. Can’t live without music!
Besides the big name DJ’s, I really enjoy
-
DFA’s house/RnB remixes,
-
DJ’s Chris and Steve from the Bronx, two up and coming guys who are AMAZING.
-
DJ Tony Scott of Harlem, an unsung hero of house, his mix CD’s are a tribute to the best in black music
-
DJ David “Vibes” Tobon. He’s back making music and his new track with MasterKev tentatively called Wett is fierce and
-
Javier Drada, this New Orleans based DJ/Producer/Remixer is BAD ASS! You may not have heard his name, but technically, he is on the same level as Tony Humprhies and Louie Vega, trust!
I’d want all their mixes on my Mp3 player.
Your 3 all time favourite records?
This changes at any given point in time. At this particular moment its:
-
THE BOSS by the Braxtons (MAW remix) – bassline is sick!
-
LATEST CRAZE by Seal (Kerri Chandler remix). Frankie Feliciano put me on to this one. Shout out to Ricanstructionlabel.com
-
Keep In Touch (Body To Body) by The Shades Of Love. I love this record!
One film?
Swimming Pool
Starring: Charlotte Rampling, Directed by Francois Ozon
One book?
Helmut Newton: White Women
One flava?
Chicken Tikka Makhani
One colour?
Number 2018-50 - Morning Sunshine
One feeling?
The feeling I got when I put on DJ Tony Scott’s (DJts@aol.com) latest mix CD called Brooklyn yesterday (3/11/06) and it hit track #3, Untitled Love Affair by Demarkus Lewis feat. Lady Sah. Euphoria.
That’s house!
One people?
House people, especially the dancers in NYC. They are mesmerizing to watch how they articulate the music with their bodies. Its better than watching a movie!
One picture?
A photo I took at the West End Record party in Miami in 2005. The music was sooo good and this dancer was really feeling it.
One wish?
To own and operate a boutique hotel in Harlem, New York. In the lobby I’d like a lounge/café that pays respect to the old Halcyon lounge on Smith Street in Brooklyn. In the basement I want a medium size house club, a little bigger than Cielo and a little smaller than Club Vinyl.
One word?
Maseltov!
Thank you, MFSB
INTERVIEW
