What a better sign of hope for the new year to
come than the example of what Mel Cheren as achieved along the decades
and against all ods. A man who never ceased displaying love around him from the
memorable days of the Paradise Garage era (and much before) to the transmission
of his West End Records label to Kevin Hedge Of Blaze and his
commitment to raising funds for the research against AIDS with the same faith
and energy as day 1. May this tribute to him be taken as a true example to
follow for each of us when in a prey to doubt…
I remember the very first time I crossed his
path. We was at some WMC' 1996 underground party I've forgotten the name of
where Kenny Bobien had some live P.A. I got introduced to Mel Cheren
by NYC Village Voices columnist Peter Reyes and I've gotta
say that I felt like deep internal feelings, standing in front of a man I was
buying the records of back in the days some 20 years ago. We then never ceased
staying in touch one way or another, either in Paris or in NYC or simply via
phone or even fax when he sent me some hand written introduction for the special
issue about disco I was doing for French publication Coda Magazine back
in 2000, coinciding with the release of Mel's My Life At The Paradise
Garage – Keep On Dancing book. And this is what he said : I'm proud
and honoured to be called the Godfather of disco. As the Godfather, I
congratulate Coda Magazine for doing this important feature story about the
roots of nightclubbing… It is important to give a new generation of music lovers
some of the history from the beginning… With Love & respect, Mel
Cheren.
Another quintessential moment for yours trully would be that Paradise
Garage night that he had later on in Miami having Nicky Siano and
David Depino spinning amongst others. I ended up getting there alongside
long time friend LC2long and… Kenny Bobien ! We entered the club
where the music was banging hot over the dancefloor having Mel dancing like a
teenager. And you know what ? He immediately ceased what he was doing as he saw
me, gave me a hook and got me back to the entry of the club where there was a
stand with goods the results of the sales were dedicated to the research against
AIDS as a part to his commitment into the LIFEbeat foundation, including
Paradise Garage comps and T's + his book I'd never seen printed so far. He then
got Bucks out of his pocket to buy a copy of his own writing, prior giving it to
me with some dedication. I let you imagine the way I felt, remembering what was
to be the very beginning of my current fight for the acceptance of that music we
love, back in the days at the end of the 70's in a country – France – where
nearly no one was giving a simple sh** about this. I was feeling like I'd become
a part of this family, despite the distance and the absolute differences of ways
of living and, subsequently, backgrounds and histories… Not to mention that
painting of his that Mel would give me a few years later when visiting him and
Blaze at West End Records HQ on 17th Street. Something which to me
remains quite ironical when in front of the typical attitudes currently
happening in the very depth of the Parisian scene…
A Garage as Paradise…
As Mel Cheren decided to have an
obscure Manhattan car parking transformed into a club, he surely didn't expect
it to become the jewel of the New York nite-life. An absolute reference whose
flame remains deadly alive almost 20 years after ceasing its activities…
Mel remains on many people's hearts as the guy who would be the New
York by Night guru at the time. As so many people born the same year as he are
currently retired, one may easily wonder where our man finds such an energy.
How, despite all the difficulties and the pains which have ponctuated his
existence, he keeps on seeming so enthusiastic. Many people being on his shoes
would probably have given up. Him, no way ! Despite the long time closing of his
label then the one of his nightclub as few months earlier on. But, even more,
the death of the one who was cthe club resident DJ – Larry Levan – on
which Mel was seing the son that he'd been unable to have. Such an amount of
circumstances could well have seen Mel diving on the drugs if not wanting to
commit suicide, but instead of that, Mel would remain true to the promess he'd
done to look after Larry's mom and see him deciding to give his contribution to
the fight against AIDS and some help to the younger generations… Starting from
there he would make himself seen almost everywhere. From that UMM night
he would attend alongside long time West End Records producer Kenton Nix
during the WMC'98, to his countless comings to parties such as Shelter on
Saturday nights at Vinyl, then the day after at Body & Soul. But also
giving a hand alongside François K. to Jeannie Hooper on her way
to raise money for the broadcasting of her weekly show at the end of 1998. Not
to mention the writing of his book which took him almost 7 years and the
resurrection of his label prior making Kevin Hedge of Blaze his
successor at the command of West End Records. Whattaman indeed…
There's that memorable Marshall Jefferson
presents The Truth song called "Open Your Eyes" starting with : In the
beginning, there was paradise…"
The one I really remember of is something I
heard Danny Rampling playing with words like : "We used to party at the Paradise
Garage…" He played it for more than half an hour. Needless to tell you how
emotionned I felt having so many souvenirs coming back to mind.
We was talking back in 1998 in Miami about the
possible reopening of the club…
It's a long, very long story. This is why you
gotta read my book. Everything you may have read so far about disco and
nightclubbing ain't got anything to do with it. My book isn't the result of
researches, it talks about how and what I've been living, the reasons why
Paradise Garage has been launched and why it has closed its doors. It's a quite
complicated story which has led in the will to realase a book about it. I've got
outside help for that but be sure that each word that you may read has been
cautiously chosen. You may see stories which have been somehow transformed into
novels. Not this one. This is my history and I didn't want having any word that
could sound any different.
Having the will of writing a book in mind is a
thing. Having it written is a far different one. As I said, it took me almost 7
years. Many people heard me talking about this idea. I remember some night in
London where I was at having François K. playing. I met Arthur Baker, I'd
released the first recording of ages ago. We hadn't seen each other for an
eternity ; such an emotion I've felt. We promised each other to meet as I would
get back to NYC.
Has the state of the NY scene (production and
clubwise) somehow to be considered as a result of the current politics in the
city, in the country ?
Guiliani's election as Mayor of
the city hasn't been good on everything. First, because the man being not that
friendly and having a lot of punch. It's a people who doesn't accept critics on
what he's doing, ready to do everything on his power to reduce his opponents. I
don't like him that much and it's clear that I'm gonna vote for Hilary Clinton.
I remember how excited I felt seing her elected at the Parliement. I started a
new painting that night which I kept for quite a while, then I decided at the
very last moment that I would give it to her when she came to promote her book a
couple of years ago in NYC. I've had to wait for 2 to 3 hours before being able
to give it to her. She thanked me and I received a letter from the White House a
week later. As far as his husband is
concerned. I remember of him as one of the very best Presidents we've never had
so far. Even though he had his stories but these would be more those of a man.
And, as a matter of fact, who's never had any one of those ? Roosevelt, Kennedy
? This said, people had respect at the time, not talking about those kinds of
things, which isn't the case anymore today having everyone vomiting on
everything !
Could it be that the situation is about the
same as the one in the UK having the local press making money on those so call
tabloïd stories ?
A few years back, you'd have had the essential
of the infos being displayed for no more than 15 mins on telly. Look at what's
on right now with those 24/7 networks and for that you sure have to find stuff !
Information has become nothing else but a sort of… entertainment. It's
disgusting. Once again, Clinton has been attacked for the reasons I've mentioned
earlier on, despite all the good things that he brought to the Country.
It has become quite easy nowadays to reduce
someone's image to nuts…
Yeah, we've recently gone for another round
electionwise. George Bush Jr is so proud of himself, unpleasant and without
charisma. But I wish he's to be choosen by his own camp at the Primary Elections
so that Al Gore will be able to defeat him. Well, I hope so…
How do you explain having radios such as
WBLS and Kiss FM having their backs turned to dance music the way
they've had for more than 15 years, in favours of hip hop & R&B ?
A guy like Frankie Crocker
(WBLS's former head of programs back at the beginning of the 80's) was
cleary aware of the potential of the clubs, not to mention the one of the
Paradise Garage. He used to stand next to Larry when he was coming and see what
he was playing. He was then in the ideal position to make himself an idea while
seing the reactions of the crowd. And what Larry was playing during the
week-ends was to be programmed the following Monday by Frankie without us asking
for anything…
Today's music is being conceived by
consultants sitting around a table. In comparison, Paris and London to me seem
more receptive, even though I came to know that the French Government has
imposed quotas of local music to be played on your radios…
How do you see the Miami Conference ?
I see it as the opportunity for the whole
scene to gather for a few days, this allowing us to strengthen our relations.
This said, there's an obvious difference between the attendees expectations and
those of the promoters of this event who run it first and foremost as a
business…
You've always been the #1 supporter of people
like François K. and Joe Claussell (not to mention Blaze)…
Those folks have always been living with that
music and they live it nowadays.
Haven't you been tempted to smile when seing
the arrival of the so called speed garage thing ?
Speed G, acid and the likes… Don't have the
foggiest idea of what these are made of ! The Brits have always been the
champions when coming to find new expressions here or there without knowing what
they're talking about… Quite ironical on a world which has become smaller from a
year to another ! This is why I'd like to be able to have the opportunity to
have classic garage events organised to accompany the release of the compilation
– Larry Levan Live At The Paradise Garage on Strut – just to let people know
what it was trully about. David Depino wasn't a simple resident amongst others
at the Paradise Garage, he was also very close to Larry. This is why I intend to
have him on board.
Known for being of one the numerous currents
of the US rock scene at the end of the 60's, garage is mainly known nowadays at
the term illustrating the most soulful side of the house production…
Many are those who, at the time, have talked
to me about a West End Records sound and I'm probably the only one who's never
known what that was about… I was simply coming to release a song when I loved
it. I've never tried to have a particular sound on West End Records. Loose
Joint, Raw Silk or even the first releases on the label such as Michelle and
Karen Young… Everything got released on some heart feel of mine.
I have a list of all of those who've sampled
our music like DMX Crew, KRS-1, Puff Daddy and many others on the hip hop camp
and I'm very proud of it, being the owner of the copyrights. As long as they're
paying, no problem. It's the sign of the impact that our music has had. And if
not, why would they use it ? Ini Kamoze's "Here Comes The Hotstepper" built as
you know on Taana Gardner's classic "Heartbeat" has been a worldwide hit #1 !
Andy (Andy Reynolds aka Andyman now having his
own Penetration Inc company) in charge of the promotion at WE, has sent me the
compilation of Larry's remixes prior asking me what was my favourite tune. I
answered him Billy Nichols's "Diamond Ring" although it wasn't on the
aforementioned.
This is all the magic of our work. Everyone
has his own favourite tune. For some, it's gonna be Taana Gardner. For others,
Raw Silk. Not to mention all those pieces of music and remixes that we never put
out. We have tons of unreleased material to be released any time on comp
projects like those Larry Levan Classic Mixes Made Famous At The Paradise
Garage. Larry and I used to be like two fingers out of the same hand. He to me
was a genious and I'm making everything I can in order to have his memory
respected. He remained lucid til the very last moment. He asked me to keep an
eye on his mom after his passing, having me as his executor and I'm the only one
allowed to use his name.
Didier Lestrade
(a well know reviewer on French daily
newspaper Libération a few years ago), like many others, has never had
any rights concerning the Paradise Garage. As you may know, I'm going to sue him
for using Paradise Garage as the name of his 2 compilations. I've sent them a
mail after the release of vol.1 asking them not to use that name anymore and
they've gone for a second one and even added a dedication saying : Thank you Mel
Cheren for having understood the sense of this project ! I twas like they were
taking me like an asshole. It's been too much for me and I won't let go this
time…
This said, Didier is unanimously reminded as
being the pioneering supporter of that kind of music in France, where so many
didn't give a simple sh** about it !
This is not the point ! Having him choosing
such a title means that he clearly had an idea of its signification and value.
You can't pretend being respectful and acting like that at the same time ! This
ain't love but exploitation to the sole purpose of taking advantage on it. He
knew since the very beginning that this name wasn't his and he's tried to
associate me to it without my approbation. Not to say that when I pretend that
I'm gonna release a Larry Levan Live At The Paradise Garage, it's Larry Live at
the PG ! But talkin' about those people, what do they really know about Garage
at the end of the day ???
I remember seing the first mention to
(Paradise) Garage, not on a West End Records piece but on the classic Inner
Life's "Ain't No Mountain High Enough" as remixed by Larry on Salsoul Records…
Larry has sued them. It's the same kind of
disrespect. I had told them that I was on my way to release a Larry Levan Live
At the PG and they've gone for another round a few years later while relasing a
comp called Larry's Mixes featring Instant Funk's "I Got My Mind Made Up" and
the other classics of the likes. They asked me to give them a pic of Larry and
write the liner notes and I have accepted to the sole condition of seing the
rights being paid to Larry's mom… Gotta say that I'm still looking to hearing
from them. They then asked François K. who was unaware of the situation to write
the liner notes and Hisa at King Street to give them a pic of Larry. That was a
horrible document but they ended up using it as an illustration, making
everything in their capacity to give the feeling that it had been taken at the
PG.Larry's mom came to see me soon after the release of it. I guess she has
quickly understood the situation.
Have you sued them ?
No, Larry's Mom has, with the help of a
lawyer. And you know what ? This 80 years old lady has ended up been given US$
1300 for that…
What has decided you to go back to the front ?
In 1984, my former partner
(Michael Brody) said to me : 'Listen, we've got tons of probs.
There's a risk of going bankrupt…' We was releasing the records at our own
expenses while others were bootlegging us. So I ended up giving him my agreement
for ceasing the activities of the label. We stayed in touch from a year to
another til the day I met him with the idea of relaunching the label. I guess he
has taken me for a fool at the time and it took me 4 to 5 years to buy his
shares. I was afraid of seing him selling the label to some foreign people. He
was the business man and I was doing the artistic thing. I couldn't accept the
idea of seing the label sold to someone else.
Have you thought about having new signatures
on WE ?
Yes, but everything has its time.
Are the costs of production higher today ?
Yes and no. When releasing a record at the
time, we could expect average sales between 40/45,000 copies and 75,000. As for
an exemple, Karen Young's "Hot Shot" would do more than 800,000 ! Meanwhile you
gotta be happy nowadays when doing 10,000… It's not the production that is
expensive today but what the DJ's are claiming for. They are litteraly spoilt.
Some of them would ask you 25,000 Bucks for a remix ! C'mon, when a DJ offers
you to do a remix, he then should be able to share the responsabilities while
accepting a percentage for instance. The majors treat them like kings. They
should be able to understand that the possibilities of an independant label are
not those of some major one.
You was earlier on talking about a world being
smaller from a day to another. Does it mean that there's a sort of global
connection nowadays ?
Yes. I have been pretty much tempted to open
an office in London if not Paris where I feel like we would be more than
welcome.
Having West End Records back on action, do you
feel like you'd like to do the same with the club ?
I never stopped thinking about three major
goals along these last years. 1°) : the relaunch of the label. 2°) : the writing
of this book which to me stands as a tribute to Larry and 3°) : the reopening of
the Garage at the exact place where it used to be. Alas, the site is currently
used by Bell Atlantic as a parking place for its staff. So, it won't be easy to
have them leaving th espace. Unless the book becomes a best-seller giving the
will of making a film by some producer. A movie that couldn't be shot at any
other location than the original one. We then would have to hire it for the
shoting period, providing it with the look it used to have back in the days.
Then get the authorizations at the end of the shoting in order to have a 7 days
a week open spot. We would welcome Shelter one night, then Body & Soul the other
one and so on. Then we would get the room downstairs transformed into a disco
restaurant in the same spirit as Hard Rock Cafe; having regular tributes to
those who've been the actors of the movement back in the days. And a part of the
benefits would be redistributed to the community.
It's probably not on Bell Atlantic's will to
move…
They don't own the place. Nothing's
impossible. It wouldn't take more than 5 minutes for a guy like David Geffen…to
achieve such a thing
In other words, you're looking for a partner…
Yes. But first and foremost, someone who's
intimately connected with music. I would get my ultimate shirt on this !
UK publication DJ mag has printed a
nighter top 50 in 1996 with the PG at #1 year after being closed…
That's why I'd like so much to repoen it and
show the entire world the friendly spirit we used to have in there back in the
days, should you be straight, gay, Black or White, knowing that, should we be
able to dance together, we can live together. I remember some Billboard Seminar
a few years ago in Chicago. There were all these house DJ's like Steve 'Silk'
Hurley and Maurice Joshua. Someone then asked them who they got their
inspiration from and what you know what their answer was ? Prelude and West End
Records ! Prelude doesn't exist anymore as a label, being now owned by some
Canadian distributor, but I couldn't help myself coming to thank them for
keeping this vibe alive. All those honours which have been made to me via West
End Records and the Paradise Garage are nothing but the reasons which gave me
the will to continue. As when you receive, the first thing you wanna do is to
give !
We can't help ourselves seing how far your
state of mind is from what occurs on today's business camp.
Clear ! And this is how many of those in
charge of the business ain't got any risk of dying because of a heart attack
nowadays !!! People like David Mancuso and Michael Brody haven't done things
while thinking about the amount of money they could get from them, but for the
simple reason of being devoted to the pleasure of the crowd. Today's promoters
are much more carrying about their profits than the quality of the music itself
!
Have 3 ou 4 DJ's isn't very smart at the end
of the day. Simply because it doesn't leave them enough time to really dive into
who they are. For me, one DJ per night is enough. I do my possible for him to
work on the best conditions and he would do the same as far as the crow dis
concerned. I've always worked that way and this is also one of the reasons why
those I've worked with and myself have stayed in touch along the years. I thank
God for allowing me to give instead of receiving and if having a look at the end
of my book, I couldn't help stating how much you receive when you're ready to
give. It may somehow sound sort of selfish but how good this can be and I
sincerely advice the kids to follow that path.
It's so wonderful to live with this feeling of
having brought something to someone.
MEL CHEREN My Life and the
Paradise Garage – Keep On Dancing (edited by 24 Hours For Life Inc.)
Excerpts from an interview
released in July 2000
INTERVIEW
