How lucky we are to welcome there another heavyweight champion of the mix/remix. A guy who has made his reputation throughout the years providing us with the perfect emotional balance productionwise as well as behind the desks with live sets often better than loads of CD-mixes around !!! As a matter of fact, he's currently awaited in France for two dates at the end of this week. Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome the Ricanstruction man : Frankie Feliciano…

 

So how was this Winter Music Conference for you ?
The conference was fine. I saw many different styles of dance music being showcased this year, and the audience was a lot more educated and informed. They were definitely looking for alternatives to the usual 'stars'.

Do you think it's as good as back in the days ?
My first time going to the WMC was back in 96, and I thought it was the greatest thing in the world. I couldn't go to the WMC every year because the scene and industry doesn't change that drastically from year to year, where I have to be at a yearly music conference. I'm sure that every WMC has its high points and low points for every one involved.

What has impressed you at most this year ?
The amount of choices and musical styles. Plenty of different DJ's, so no one can complain about having to hear the same people over and over.

What has disgusted you at most this year ?
Nothing disgusted me really. What always bothers me is how poeple take these things too seriously, instead of just trying to enjoy it.

The usual question nowadays. What's the current state of the music scene ? What has to be done to give it a wider exposure and is it possible at the end of the day ?
I don't think it needs to be given any wider exposure. When anyone says that, they usually are trying to find a way to get wider exposure for themselves from an individual point of view. There are still many clubs worldwide, many DJ's worldwide, and many new independent record labels supporting the scene.

Ultra Naté recently said on these pages that there will always be good music ? But is there really space for depth today, seing all the noisy music getting the buzz on the hype charts here or there ?
I agree with Ultra. Good music is always going to made available. It's up to you, the consumer, to be able to differentiate between the garbage that is forced on to you, and the great music that is out there waiting to be discovered.

For Matthias (Heilbronn), no matter what the music is in terms of genre. It is good when you feel like you wanna dance to it…
It's true. Dance music really shouldn't be so limited with genres, terms and such. Good dance music is good dance music period. Once again, the industry can destroy itself by placing limits and boundaries on what is acceptable and what is not.

What has finally decided you to relaunch your label ?
I decided to relaunch the label because it was the right time professionally for me. I have a much greater desire now to be involved with the business end of it, and build something great, and contribute artistically to this industry. I have a lot of ideas for new things and a new approach on how to market this music.

You look like pretty much having a style on its own, productionwise under the Ricanstruction trademark as well as behind the desks providing the crowd with mixes that seem to hail directly from some "internal" studio of yours. What's your state of mind when working ?
I can't really say that I have any formula. Every project has a life of its own, so I just try to tap into it, and find out where it needs to go. I'm sure that my personal moods and taste add flavor to the project, but I try not to let too much of my own personal influence drive the project.

Could it be that you have sorts of… "Innervisions" ?
I don't think so.

You look rather reserved (if not shy) as opposed to people like Kerri Chandler and Dennis Ferrer for instance. Could it be that you rather find the way to express yourself while working ?
I am a shy and reserved person. If you get to know me, then you'll know that i'm nothing like that in actuality. From a musical and DJ point of view, yes, i'd rather my body of work do all the talking.

Would it have anything to do with your childhood ? With your first contact with music ? Could it be that you've ever felt somehow different ?
Not sure if it's that deep. I was raised a certain way, with certain values, and I appreciate all those things, for helping become who I am.

On a more positive field, looks like NYC is getting back to some status where it had (good) parties every night ? One word about the soon to be launched Underground Dance Grooves weekly nighter by the likes of Tyrone Francis ?
In all honesty, NYC doesn't need status or recognition for parties, because NYC never stopped partying. Things have changed, and some parties ended, while others started. People have the misconception that nothing is happening in NYC only because the parties that did end, featured some of the bigger names (Body and Soul, Vinyl, Danny Tenaglia,). The best part about being around now, is that a lot of new names and faces are here and eager to contribute. Tyrone is just one of the many talented people coming from NYC. Alix Alvarez, Mr V, Quentin Harris, Marlon D, DJ Spinna, those are other names to watch for.

Any project of your own in the weeks to come ?
Yes, I have a schedule of one release per month for the label, and working on a remix for Diaspora records.

Finally, you surely know him more than everyone else : who is Frankie Feliciano ?
He is a man with a very active mind, always thinking of what can happen tomorrow…

FRANKIE FELICIANO : LYON/L'Ambassade (04/22), GUERANDE/Villa La Grange (04/23)

contact : bookings@soulstice-entertainment.com, ricanstructionlabel.com

Mr V featuring Miss PATTY & ALIX ALVAREZ Deep House Music (available on ricanstructionlabel.com)