Yo Harry, nice to speak to you, what’s been the best ever Miami party you have ever grooved at over the years – apart from X-Mix… obviously?
“My first conference was back in 1995 and I distinctively remember going to the ‘Magic Sessions’ party and being completely blown away as I heard Tony Humphries play Ruffneck ‘Everybody Be Somebody’ for the first time. The place went absolutely insane. I felt like I witnessed something special.”
Biggest ever Miami tune that you think Miami has broken?
“For me, I would have to say it was a record I did with Robert Owens titled ‘I Go Back.’ We knew the record had potential but when we heard and saw the reaction we knew it was a done deal. The record was broken at the Conference!”
Best ever X-Mix party in Miami?
“I can’t really pick one because they are all dope. Every year you know you are going to hear some new cutting edge music from some of the best in the business.”
Why do you think Miami is so important to the dance music world calendar?
“Well, there aren’t too many places that have become a tradition like the WMC. Producers are busy all winter getting ready to unleash to the world what they have been feverishly working on. It is a time of year set in stone. Anybody who has ever programmed a 4/4 beat knows that at the end of March it goes down in South Beach. Plus, let’s face it, in most parts of the world it’s a good time to get away to some warm weather and some sun, a kind of bye bye to the winter.”
What are the best club venues in Miami?
“To be honest, I have had some of the best times at some really small venues like when Danny Tenaglia played at Groove Jet. And I have also had good times at the bigger venues like Space. The names at clubs change down there so much that it’s hard to keep track.”
Best restaurant?
“Best restaurant for me is Puerto Sagua. I think it’s on 7th and Collins Ave. Good old fashion Latin cuisine. Let’s keep it real, you can’t go wrong with some rice and beans.”
How important, as all producers, is Miami to leash huge Summer dancefloor smashes?
“Well it’s very important. I think more for personally giving what you feel is great music to your peers. It’s a one on one thing and let’s face it, it’s sure better than emailing it. It’s more personable. It puts a face on the track as well.”
Who were your idols/influences growing up musically…
“For me, it starts with my dad. He would make time to teach me about different forms of music, not just the typical Latin stuff we all grew up with, but genres like Jazz, Swing, and classical Beethoven as well. He planted the seeds. Then I grew up in a very multi-cultural place. I was influenced by what the white boys listened to like Billy Squire and Van Halen – to name a few and also what the brothers were into as well… early Hip Hop and stuff like that. The skate kids were into their Butthole Sufers and the Violent Femmes. So I had a very broad scope on music at a very young age, and I listened!”
What parties are you looking forward to the most WMC 2009?
“The X-Mix party because it’s not every day we are all under one roof playing music on the same night. Also the Subliminal party is lot’s of fun and I have been a part of those events since the word go!”
What is the best UK club you have ever played at?
“Definitely the early days at the Ministry of Sound. The late 90’s were very exciting times in London. House music still had soul and was loads of fun. Those who were there know what I mean.”
Best 10 tunes you are spinning at the moment
01. HCCR ‘Cumbia’ (Bambossa Records)
02. Funkagenda and Exacta ‘Mad Money (Size Records)
03. Nick and Danny Chatelain Katrinyla (Guanche Records)
04. Zoo Brazil ‘Ghetto Blaster’ Rene Amesz Remix (Cdr)
05. The Buhousers ‘Rollerdoper’ Java Montia Remix (Cdr)
06. HCCR vs. Nick and Danny Chatelain ‘The Crawl’ (Bambossa Records)
07. Reel 2 Reel ‘Move It’ HCCR Remix (Strictly)
08. Jose Nunez ‘Visitors’ (Bambossa Records)
09. David Pher ‘Harare’ (Cdr)
10. HCCR and Jose Nunez ‘Lifting Me High’ (Cr2 Records)
