In those disturbed nowadays seing humanity in desperate seek for some new model (heroe), French DJ/producer Franck Roger is rather in 'the who is he ?' than the 'what is he to you ?' category. In other words, the fact that he's currently seen as an upcoming name, due to his numerous recent and forthcoming releases + DJ line up features at this year's WMC doesn't prevent him from being down to earth the way he has always been. We've met him prior to the party he's having this Thursday in Paris for the launch of his brand new single on Kenlou Records, making him the first 'Froggie' ever to have a release on one of the MAW's labels…

My name might be circulating here and there as I've spinned quite a lot in Miami, not to mention the fact that I'm the first out of the country to have a release on some Masters At Work label, but I'm far from seing this as an achievement, he says while having a check at the CD mix he's just recorded to be released on Straight Up label next September. Everything has to be relativized. I mean, don't get me wrong ! Course, I'm happy to have this new single being released on Kenlou and it was cool to spin so many times during the Conference and see my different works playlisted right after, this leading him to be touted as one of this year's revelations… Nothing but the usual kind of hype thing that you might read here or there. he says. My bookings in Miami have to be taken as a result of relations which I've started developping over there and most of that material of mine which has been playlisted is still to be released. So needless to say that having him saying 'no' while being asked if having the feeling that he's reached a new level is no surprise… Hype has to be taken for what it is and even more, considering our position which remains firmly in the underground, as opposed to all these mainstream things which benefit from a heavy media support. In other words, it takes time (faith and energy) to make oneself a name.

As a matter of fact, Franck is far from being a new comer, dropping his first cuts by the end of the nineties with long time friend and now one half of Shade Of Soul outfit Jayrome Battistelli under the Sun Orchestra guise… I'd never been that much interested in studies and I couldn't see myself having an 8/6 daytime job, he remembers. Guess I've always been more of a dreaming people, finding what would be his primar food in music (from funk to disco) that his mom and dad used to listen when he was a kid. He started making his own taped compilations (also having a careful listen to hip hop) prior buying his first decks. He would be a resident DJ alongside Jayrome at Le Trésor in Paris back in the days then at La Fabrique, getting his records from soon to become Straight Up label head, Betino who he regularily works with…

He would release a whole bunch of 12's on the aforementioned's label + the newly launched BRS, either on his own or alongside Mike L, DJ Deep and DJ Roy in a quite variety of styles, whenever always groovy. Don't want to be stucked into one genre. How come could I ? I mean, my works are based around my mood, giving a few explanations about the nature of his newie on Kenlou. I had a basic view of the things and asked Chris (Wonder) to come up with some lyrics. He has suggested me an idea and we would end up wrting the chorus together around some harmony I'd created. I guess I wasn't into a very shiny mood at the time. How could I ? I feel like there's a lot of agressivity in the world we're leaving and I'd rather stay in my studio which to me sometimes would appear like an oasis of safety.

Someone recently wrote on our forum that Franck's music could now defintitely stand the comparizon with his US pairs. Well, it's flattering in a way, he reacts, but I've never tryed to compete nor searched any kind of comparizon. Some people said that this single would sound like Ron Trent or another one like Blaze but once again it depends on my mood when I come to record a track. If you happen to have a listen to my recent release on BRS (EP1 & 2), you could notice that it's totally different. It's about the same regarding "Mascarade" which I've been working on with Gilb'R for Versatile as it most definitely should be the case with my forthcoming releases. Not to mention that everything may happen during studio activities.

Many observers including Defected CEO Simon Dunmore would say about French music that it's particular, done with an obvious care. The fact that it comes ironically from a country where the media support is almost equal to 0 probably helps in that specific matter. Coming to Miami gave me some real opportunity to see the faces of the ones who support my work and this is why I love dit, but so many things remains to be done… But sure, our Franck's gonna work on this…

More info : djfranckroger.zik.mu
FRANCK ROGER featuring CHRIS WONDER "No More Believe" (Kenlou Records)
FRANCK ROGER featuring CHRIS WONDER "If I" (Sunny Side)
FRANCK ROGER & M'SELLEM featuring CHRIS WONDER "Reason" (to be released in June on Straight Up)
FRANCK ROGER featuring CHRIS WONDER "Something About You" (awaited on Crash Records)
 
Realtone presents FRANCK ROGER introducing his new single ("No More Believe" featuring CHRIS WONDER) released on Kenlou Records 05/13 @ LE REXY : 8, rue de la Grande Truanderie - 75001 PARIS
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