We'll never say how much we love Ultra Nate. The reason probably being the fact that she has sent us so many signs of her love while offering us nothing but the good, from her very first efforts with Basement Boys back in the eighties til this new apetizer of her much anticipated new album awaited later this year on her own BluFire label.

Looks like your new single is a sort of continuation to the one you've released on Giant Step. Yes or no ?
Not necessarily. They were written years apart but there are similarities in the vocal and writing style because that vibe is a strong part of my writing and singing character.

Also seems you've got your attention capted by some British producers. How come ? What do you find in UK ? Fan of some sort of Brit-soul ?
I've actually worked with British producers since my 2nd album "One Woman's Insanity" back in 1993. I co-wrote with D-Influence (and have many times since) and Nellee Hooper. My 1st album "Blue Notes From The Basement" was singed to Warner-UK back in 1989 when I first started making records so I've had a long association with the British music scene.

Do you feel like you having more freedom working with UK producers ?
It really doesn't make a difference if their British, American or European. It depends more on the person or team your working with but generally I've always had freedom to feel my feeling when making my records because I write them.

Do you feel like you've found more freedom working on your own label ?
I pay all the bills and I have to be on top of all the mundane details. In a way that's more freedom but with it comes more responsibility. If your willing to accept more responsibility and invest your own finances you stand to reap a much better share of your product but there is risk involved. It all depends on how much your willing to give and gamble.

How is it to be your own boss today ?
I've always considered myself my own boss but a part of a team. No matter how amazing an artist is you have to have a team to pull it all together. But even when your signed to a label, your not considered an "employee" but an "independent contractor".

How have you lived the end of Strictly Rhythm ?
It was very sad to see Strictly go. Even though I had asked for a release from the label (because of the Warner merger), it was hard to see a dynasty like Strictly fall.

Looks like house music on its whole doesn't really work. I mean it has stayed quite underground as compared to hip hop and R&B. Why ?
Perception moreso than anything. Great house records are being made everyday but money is not spent by labels to build artist profiles for the consumer to buy into. For example, Madonna and Janet Jackson are dance artist that have profile, it's the concept of Madonna and Janet that people buy into. For the most part, "house" is a nameless, faceless genre. When I first came out, my music was strictly underground but the timing was right because the major labels cared at that time and signed myself and many others to major label deals. Us few came out the gate with a profile (picture sleeves, name recognition, image and real budgets for marketing and promotion). Also, with the DJ's becoming more relevant than the particular person who made the music he or she is playing, shifts the focus. Thus, building the profile of "the DJ" not "the artist".

How do you see its future ?
I think people will keep making great house music records. I also think that music happens in cycles (roughly every 20 years). Hopefully, as the cycle comes around again for house to be en vogue in a big way again, it'll be ready to maximize it's opportunity. I started making house music in 1988 and have been fortunate to still be able to make records (housey or not) that people love. I still love the sound of the underground and go out very often to clubs that play deep house. I've also started DJing so I could make people dance from another perspective and it's a lot of fun.

Tell us about the way it was at your early works and the way you see it today...
In my early days, I felt people were a lot more open to different styles. I don't think people where so regimented.

Could it be that the Americans have stayed stucked to their formulas ?
Everyone is stucked in formulas on all sides, buddy ! That's what happens when a genre becomes lucrative and familiar. It becomes safe.

Any comment about the last WMC' ?
What can I say? There was too many damn people there who are not about the music. It's great to do the hang and see and meet people from various parts of the world and this industry though, but it's gets convoluted with all the commercial hype.

What is it to be an artist living in a DJ world ?
It's a struggle but it would be more of a struggle if I were a new artist. Most of the new DJ's of the last 10 -15 years grew up on my records in one way or the other. The guys that have been around for eons have also played my records for years, so for me I get a certain level of respect and recognition as a staple in this genre.

Who do you work with regarding your album ? Its concept (what can we expect ?), its title, its release date... About your forthcoming projects ?
I co-written with various people (too many to name them all here). The title is "Grime, Silk & Thunder". We're still in the production phase, so I can't give away too much for fear I might jinx myself. We're working towards an early summer set up and release. Depending on the final production schedule over the next few weeks.

Are you supposed to release it in association with Chillifunk label for Europe ?
Not necessarily. The "Feel Love" track was written with the Chillifunk posse for my album and they asked if they could release it around this time. We felt that they would be a good label and would create a nice lead up for the album if we're able to get it done in time. If not, then the release of the single buys us more time. Everything comes down to timing.

The ones you would like to work with ?
Basement Jaxx and Trevor Horn.

Your day to day life apart from doin' music ? Your hobbies ? Your passions ? Your wishes ?
Geez....you want all the info. Well let's see.... I throw a party in Baltimore (where I live) every Friday called "Sugar". It's all soulful underground house!!! I DJ there every week (well, if I'm not somewhere in the world performing but the party goes on) and that has become one my favorite new hobbies. I love to read. I'm currently reading an Anne Rice book called "Blackwood Farm" and "The Art of War" by Sun Tzu. I do Bikram Yoga preferrably 3X a week and that's definitely a passion because the room is heated to 105 degrees to start and by the end it could be up to 110. My wishes....I could say something cliche' like "world peace" and that would probably be about right. Can't we all just get along.....?

ULTRA NATE Feel Love (Chillifunk) Listen