Booker T

I’m Booker T and I’m a DJ, Producer and Remixer. I started DJing in the ’80s playing soul music and going out to all the West End clubs. I started making tunes in 1990 and my first track was ‘Didn’t I’ as Underground Mass and it was snapped up by Azuli Records, it was a great place to launch from as it did really well with DJs and music fans. I then started producing tunes for major independent labels like Strictly Rhythm and Nervous in the US as well as UK labels like Slip N’ Slide and Junior Boys Own. From there I started getting remix work and working with major artists such as Soul II Soul and All Saints and major labels such as Arista, BMG and Sony.
At the same time, I was DJ-ing up and down the country at major clubs like Ministry Of Sound, Back To Basics, Hard Times and Garage City as well as travelling abroad to play in Ibiza, Italy, Russia, Singapore and Malaysia. I also did a North American tour touching down in Seattle, LA, San Francisco and Dallas.

I’m now running my own label Liquid Deep and working with artists such as Mike City, Kathy Brown, Shirley Jones from The Jones Girls and S.E.L and have just remixed Emelie Sande’s single ‘More Of You’. Alongside the label I host a fortnightly radio show on Mi-Soul/MiHouse.com and before that, I did a Friday night House mix show on Choice FM.

Teaming up on ‘Falling’ which is the 50th release on your Liquid Deep label Booker – is it a special one for you? Were you fans of each other’s work before you got together?

It’s a very special one for me – the 50th release. I was a fan of S.E.L from her work with Soul II Soul and I also liked what she did with DJ Spen on her other records like “Elevation’. Also, I really wanted to work with Bryan Chambers so the whole project’s been great vibes.

Both working in the independent label sector, how tough is it right now to create new music and what drives you?

Working in the independent sector and running my own label I always put in the work to make sure I’ve got some good tunes coming out – something with really good vibes. What drives me now is lockdown as there’s no Live gigs and I’m really fortunate as I’ve got a digital studio set up at home and that gives me the inspiration to make music every day of the week. I’m a DJ and I play music all the time and listening to other people’s music and mix shows brings other vibes which inspires you to create. It’s the same buzz like when you heard tunes in clubs and festivals and thought what’s that, I need to make something tuff and exciting like that.

How would you describe your music – your sound in your own words?

Tuff, soulful. underground and sexy. Tuff underground beats with funky soulful chords, a soulful but heavy bassline and some soulful vocals that make you feel really good.

It’s all about the home studio right now, what piece of studio equipment would you consider something you couldn’t live without and what does it bring to your music?

My MPC 3000 drum machine but I don’t really use it any more although I love the sounds it produces. I really like my UAD Apollo sound card with all the top of the range plugins, and I’m also into the Shadow Hill and Manley plugins as they give you a really good phat sound.

Who would you say have been your biggest inspirations and peers during your career?

Masters At Work. Kenny Dope and Louie Vega together…I just love them. With Kenny’s tuff underground beats and Louie’s soulful chords and when it comes together, it’s an explosion that makes you want to get on the dance floor.

Todd Terry. From his driving skippy beats and no-nonsense sale of production, his sound is heavy and dangerous.

Gamble & Huff. I love their soulful Philly style soul music which never seems to date.

Jus’ Blaze. For the heavy phat beats and how he programmes – he uses the MPC3000. And of course, the hip hop breaks he uses.

With Covid looming over the industry, what’s your opinion on how things will be in say, 6 months time?

What can i say! I don’t think I’ll be getting back to DJ-ing out in a club anytime soon. The shift towards production and online radio shows and still keeping the community together and it’s still exciting with all the news music and DJ sets out there.

Well known on the club and live music scene, as we head into the second lockdown, can you recall one of your favourite clubbing or live moments – and describe why it stands out as so special?

When I first played at the Ministry of Sound is one of my most memorable nights. It was rammed that night and I was playing alongside Frankie Foncett and CJ Mackintosh and went on after Frankie. I has just finished mixing Soul II Soul’s ‘Welcome To The Pleasuredome’ and mixed it in and out of nowhere in the crowd came Nigel Benn the boxer who rushed over and said ‘I want you to come and play at my party”. It was a great moment and helped me play one of my best sets.

Booker T: 5 Liquid Deep Highlights

‘What A Difference’ – Mike City, Earl Tutu, John Khan
This one went to #1 in the Traxsource chart and is still going strong

‘Falling’ – S.E.L & Bryan Chambers
Just a great soulful ride with two singers at the top of their game

‘Love Tingz’ – Ashley DuBose
This urban afro house tune has gone down really well and introduces a strong new talent

‘Club Disco Dubs’ – Paul Trouble Anderson
One of my true inspirations who I got to work with and it’s his signature sound preserved.

‘Nights Over Egypt’ – Shirley Jones
One of my favourite tunes given an update with the incredible Shirley Jones