Your new ‘New York : A Mix Odyssey 2’ compilation features classic tracks from Queen Latifah, Erik B & Rakim, Roxanne Shante and Monie Love…a brilliant selection – are these the records you grew up with?
“Yeah, pretty much my whole teenage life was devoted to hip hop but I was still into rock and pop. People like Metallica and even Wham! – although when George Michael went solo I just thought it was a huge moment in music as I knew what he was going to do to our ears.”
You have three new releases coming out and just out on Southern Fried Records and Universal – including a brilliant best of Armand long player – we haven’t though seen the video for ‘Shake That Ass featuring Team Facelift’? but have heard the rumours – what actually happens in it?
“Imagine watching a webcam of a teenage girls slumber party – get the idea?”
I booked you once for Eden in Ibiza where you rocked the place with Judge Jules. What has been the best club you’ve played at ever in Ibiza?
“Without doubt every Space gig and the early Cream parties were just incredible back in the day”.
Who were your early American hip hop DJ heroes?
“There are two – Grandmaster Flash managed to do just about what any DJ is ever capable of doing on the decks and of course, Jazzy Jeff was so superb and hey DMC, I still watch Cash Money on DVD winning your comp…”
Did your phenomenal ‘Professional Widow’ remix change your life?
“I got lucky I suppose – it is still my biggest remix to date, people were talking about me already but that just exploded things”.
What clubs are rocking your world at the moment where you play?
“You know, there are so many great clubs out there that I am lucky to play at. I am not into the sort of clubs where people wear Dolce and Gabana or take their tops off. In the US there is a great college crowd vibe where kids are going out getting down to people like The Krookers, A-Trak and Justice – I love that side of clubbing.”
You have a collection of over 17,000 albums – which one do you cherish the most?
“Well my favourite album from of all my shelves is Stevie Wonder’s ‘Songs of Life’ – a double album with lots of variety that brought pleasure to the planet.”
Your father was a member of the US Air Force and as a child you travelled around living in many different countries, what was your favourite you lived in?
“The Netherlands – I was 13 and the country was so exciting to me at that age – I’d call it almost a ‘virginesque’ time in my life opening my eyes to the world out there.”
What was the motivation behind you making ‘U Don’t Know Me’?
Well at the time there wasn’t any records out there that combined disco looping and soulful vocals – then Daft Punk came out with ‘Stardust’ and although I wasn’t copying them, it certainly gave me some inspiration…”
