No doubt as when it comes to art and (good) taste, how a few people have it and a whole bunch of others don’t. As for the rest, it’s no more than a matter of skills that U develop while U work. That’s most likely where are to be found Chris ‘Cee Rule’ Forman and Damon ‘Mr Dizzy Fingers’ Bennett who, under their Steal Vybe guise, count amongst the most creative forces which have emerged along the last months…
Hi Chris, the first thing which comes to mind when listening to your material is the extreme musicianship on display, as if it was the result of real researches as opposed to a lot of preformated tunes around. Any comment?
We just do whatever comes to mind and make sure it's the best effort
musically.
Could it be that time has endly come back for this, as illustrated by the works of people such as Wil Milton, Jihab Muhammad, Antonio Ocasio and the likes, following the footsteps of Larry Heard and Marshall Jefferson back in the days?
Everything comes to a full circle, I just think that they all keep good music alive and do what ever comes to them as well. Larry Heard & Marshall Jefferson have made a few endless classics and we appreciate there unique music.
We all know how DJ's have been for much in the propagation of the said dance music for the 3 last decades. How do you see their commitment in the production? And hasn't this been ironically in the mean time for much in the progressive decline of quality level along the past years?
Well, I can only say that dance music has changed for the better in the past years. So it's definitely gotten better with the exception of some sounds and that depends on your taste in music.
Isn't there, apart from a few exceptions, a real fence between artists and DJ's as far as production is concerned?
Yep! And I think that is wrong! The love should be shared equally.
Is the return to real musicianship the only way music - and I'm not saying dance music as it seems too restrictive for me as far as what you're doin' is concerned - can reach a higher level of acceptance?
Hmm, We all love music and as long as you have some type of ear for it and as long as your able to express yourself musically, that's all that matters. So I think technology has made that possible for a lot of folks. After all! It was technology that brought me this close to music as far as playing. I have only been playing keys for 9 years. Before that, I just tinkered around. Then I started to take music serious. That's when I decided to take lesson because my earlier music started to get to complicated for me.
What's your definition of a good piece of music?
As long as it hits me and makes me feel the actual energy of the music. I don't really care if it's a vocal or an instrumental. It just needs to make me feel good...
Some artists told me about the existence of strong links between music and architecture. Any comment?
Whatever it takes to make good music bro!
Would be tempted myself to compare music and photography but also cooking at some point.
Again, Hey! If it works then go for it!
Where do you come from (I mean your background), what made you becoming who you are, your heroes, and the circumstances of you meeting your partner ?
Well, I always loved music! Ever since I was 7 and from there I just stayed in tune with a lot of good music.I really got into house music in 1993. Well, I guess that's a long time. However, some other folks have been there since it began. I didn't really like the earlier music. When it did a transition, that's when I got into it! Just a few of my music inspirations are Earth, Wind & Fire, Steve Wonder, Isaac Hayes, Prince and a few others are my heroes. I actually met my partner thru one of the guys that plays live bass for me. I normally didn't like other guys attitudes on the music tip. But Damon & I clicked and both of our music complimented each others.
Who's doin' what?
Damon plays flute & we both play keys. It depends, sometimes I'll start a song and Damon will finish it and vice versa, He'll start something and I'll finish it. And sometimes we both do our own thing. That's all! So there is equal work effort.
Some of the all time best productions have been conceived by pairs of peeps. Would U tend to think that it's easier to join forces with an alter ego?
Can't really say so. I can only speak from my perspective and it just ended up working with Damon & becoming a team. Because really, we still both do our own thing and still collab musically.
Any exemple that you would have in mind, like MAW, Jam & Lewis. whoever?
I just think that if the chemical match is right then you'll get some great results, whether it be a single person or a team.
Your 3 all times pieces of music?
Dunno, I like most of the stuff that I do, so I can't really put one in front of the other because I give the same amount of effort in the work.
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