Simply a great who we will never, ever get bored of grooving to…
You’re a Brooklyn boy, started DJing in the mid 70s at places like El Morocco and Club Tribeca… what were those days like?
“The ‘El Morocco’ was a posh, French restaurant club that gave me my first weekly paycheck as a DJ. Getting rich people to dance to funky music was cool. ‘Club Tribecak’ – aka ‘BoysTown’ was a gay club. It was a lot of fun, the crowd was very lively and animated. I also worked with Timmy Regisford there. That was cool.”
Who were your early musical idols – what made you get into DJing in the first place?
“I was in training to perform at the age 10 – playing music for family functions – a real House party! The big R&B artists of that time that I was heavily into, were Brooklyn bands like B.T. Express, Brass Construction and Crown Heights Affair. Also, all the artists on the Philadelphia International label. Quality. My musical idol is Quincy Jones. I believe your idol should be someone who in your lifetime, you would never be able to accomplish half the things this person has done. He has done it all – a musician, producer, writer, a record label, movies, magazines, television, A Grammy – and on and on and on.”
You have worked with some amazing artists over the years, Chaka Khan, Karen White, Regina Belle, Donna Summer, the Jungle Brothers, Queen Latifah and The Cover Girls – who was GREAT to work with?
” I must say Chaka Khan. The song that she wrote that I remixed was ‘Know You, I Live You’. That song was one of her favorites, because it was respectful to the original mix.”
You must have played at every amazing club around the world – over 300 different venues I believe. What have been your favourites – the residency at The Ministry of Sound for instance must have been special as must have been Rimini?
“Heh, it’s up to 400 venues now. I’m not a name dropper, but some of the best nights I performed at were the opening and closing of clubs around the world. Of course, the major holidays are fun also.”
And where do you enjoy DJing at today?
“I still travel a lot. Most of the up and coming gigs are mostly in Europe & Asia. I stay soulfully grounded by residencies in NYC and New Jersey – ‘Roots NYC’ at Cielo, APT in NYC, Aqua Booty in NYC, Humble Beginnings in NJ and Dolce in NJ.”
What other DJs that have been in your company over the years have you rated?
“Ultra Nate, she is NO joke! She has got the FUNK! Also, David Harnes and my man Jacko.”
Tell us about how your KISS FM NY show came about via Mr. Shep Pettibone…
“As a young DJ, I was visiting the offices of record labels weekly to get free music to play. On my schedule was Prelude Records, that’s where I met Mr. Pettibone. Whilst networking with him, I gave him a copy of a 90 minute cassette I had on me, not thinking much about it. The following week, on a Friday night, I get a call from him asking if can I do two 120 minute cassettes, 4 hours worth of music by the Saturday afternoon. He needed it for a show that night because someone screwed him at the last minute, and the rest is history….”
When you get home from a club or are chilling on a Sunday, what’s on you stereo?
“I listen to artists like Quincy Jones, Mary J. Bilge, New Masterminds feat. Corine Bailey Rae, Omar, Stevie Wonder, Young Disciples, John Legend, Incognito, Philly Box Set, Amel Larrieaux, Donnie – that kinda thing…”
How is the New York club scene today?
” The scene in New York is doing very well. It’s reinventing itself. Clubs are no longer categorizing their nights or DJ by genre. It’s just good music, anything can be played as long as it’s quality.”
If we came over to New York, where should we head off to eat?
“The Caliente Cab Company on 7th Ave South”
What has been the most bling party you have ever spun at?
“The most bling event I”ve ever spun at was Puff Daddy party in Italy.”
Your favourite record of all time?
‘Nothing Like The Real Thing’ by Marvin Gaye & Tammi Terrell, ‘Love Me By Name’ and ‘Tell Me A Bedtime Story’ – both by Quincy Jones.
What do you think has been your best personal production release?
‘Make It On My Own’ by Alison Limmerick, ‘Freak It’ by A Bitch Named Johanna, ‘Independent Woman’ by Adeva, ‘Last Night A DJ Saved My Life’ by Indeep, ‘The Rhythm Of Life’ by The Keith Thompson Project, ‘Stomp’ by K-YZE, ‘The Sun Is Rising’ by The Beloved, ‘Know You I Live You’ by Chaka Khan and ‘The Rain Come Down by Intense”.
A new album coming out on MOS, what’s the story there?
“They wanted to display the hot tunes during that period of 1993, the year that I was a resident, however, it got expanded to include the middle of the 1990’s. These tunes were floor fillers – especially CD 1.”
What treasured possession would you take from the house if in the unfortunate event your house was on fire?
” My i-phone and my passport. And a couple of my hard drives if I have time!”
So Southport Weekender, you are a stalwart regular there, looking forward to it – an amazing line up! What memories does this event hold for you?
” It’s fun for me. It’s THE event to perform at. It is my WMC. It is my hour and a half to try to squeeze in the best songs of each genre that I have in my possession. There’s a great deal of preparation beforehand. Never relaxed, It’s got to be high powered. I’m looking forward to it.”
I believe Danny Rampling was the first person to bring you over to DJ in the UK. I am not sure you are aware, but your mix tapes were being passed around everywhere by people in the know back then, it was a joy to hear you were coming. Were you aware of the excitement you caused coming here?
“No I wasn’t. I do understand now, after 15 years of traveling, meeting people who refer to those tapes, and also the popularity of the shows downloaded from archives on the internet. It was a magical time, it was a lot of hard work though. When you are on New York Radio, there’s a standard that had to be maintained. So because of that pressure, the rotation or standard of music for the radio show was also the standard for the nightclubs. My quest has always been to present and showcase the best in dance music I come in contact with. It’s the same for me today.”
