Late night sessions as the big man unveils new album ‘It’s Time’
“These are the records that have influenced me in a big way over the years since I started making music, of which all of them I still often listen to now. There were originally loads more that I picked out so it was very difficult to pick a top 10. I went off the ones that have certain memories attached and that I’ve probably listened to the most over the years…”
Urban Blues Project present Michael Procter – Love Don’t Live (The New Birth Mix)
Soulfuric Records was the most influential label for me when I started out producing. I became obsessed with the label’s catalogue and this was probably the most listened too. The synthesiser based chords struck me, and the way the energy builds through the song with overlaying trumpet solos. A great record by the legendary Tommy Musto!
Mondo Grosso – Star Suite (Shelter Mix)
This record just blew my mind the first time I heard it and used to get into a zone listening over and over in the headphones. Musically it was so different from other kinds of dance music I was hearing, with stunning instrumentation, powerful gospel chorus lines, poetic spoken verses, interesting melodies and time signature changes. Blaze took it to the next level in their remix. It’s also an unusually long track that just gets better and better!
Brenda Taylor – You Can’t Have Your Cake and Eat It Too
I was lucky to have the pleasure of meeting label boss Mel Cheren at the West End Records office in NY back in 2003, something I’ll never forget. Mel brought out an amazing array of music through West End Records over the years. This one stood out to me as a groove I just couldn’t stop listening to with very catchy hooks and synth bass line.
MAW feat Patti Austin – Like a Butterfly (You Send Me)
Masters at Work have been one of the biggest influences on me, as they probably are with most people in this music, and it was near enough impossible to pick a favourite. But I think this is the first Masters at Work record I bought and still play regularly to this day!
Shaun Escofferey – Space Rider (DJ Spinna Remix)
This was probably my introduction to DJ Spinna, who still today remains to be one of my favourite producers. I especially idolise Spinna for his beats! I remember the first time I heard this on Deli-G’s radio show when I was 16, recording it to tape to listen on the train. Gives me the same feeling now as it did then.
SOS Band – Groovin (That’s What We’re Doin’)
The first time I heard this was on Solar Radio, a UK based soul station that I listen to regularly, and I called into the station to find out what it was. This was before Shazam existed. It’s all about the groove of course!
NuYorican Soul & George Benson – You Can Do It Baby
The NuYorican Soul album remains to be one of my favourite albums of all time, and this track introduced me to George Benson. His guitar licks on this track still amaze me today. I would say this track is what inspired me to start using guitars more on my productions. I use a young talented jazz guitarist called Scott Dennison who loves George Benson melodies as much as me and people will have heard some of this influence in many of my productions over the years.
Ann Nesby – Let Your Will Be Done (Louis Benedetti Remix)
Gospel house is very important to me as someone who produces house music with an inspirational element. This strikes all the right chords for me and Louis Benedetti really does the remix justice!
Kerri Chandler – Don’t Hide Your Love
Included on the first Kerri Chandler LP I bought. I don’t really know what it is about this song. It’s a very basic track with just two string chords and simple bass line. It’s probably just how heartfelt it is that melts me a bit every time I hear it. Again it’s that gospel thing that gets me every time.
Sean McCabe – It’s Time (Z Records Zedd – CD033)
Joey Negro’s tastemaking and scene defining disco-house label Z Records is proud to announce its next full-length release, namely a debut album from Sean McCabe entitled ‘It’s Time’. It’s an LP that bucks the modern trend and shows up many of its peers by being one that is made of wholly original material, sounds and ideas, rather than one that leans on tired and classic samples.
This lush and musical 12-track affair is Sean’s first big solo project and it has been in the works for almost three years. Written mostly in his Bristol studio, the LP features a wealth of international collaborations – Jennifer Wallace, Diane Charlemagne, Renn – and has been made primarily on real hardware such as the Fender Rhodes, SH-09, Juno 106, Poly 61, JV-1010, EMU Vintage Keys and the Moog Slim Phatty.
Sean who has been producing since his teens and includes fine labels like US garage staple King Street Sounds, Defected, Strictly Rhythm and Local Talk in his discography says of the album: “It was important for me to get it perfected to my original vision, and to keep that vision throughout was difficult. I’ve literally drawn inspiration from everything that’s influenced me as producer and writer over the years. I always wanted to create something that demonstrates all my tastes in soulful dance music which can be influenced by so many sub genres like Hip Hop, Disco, Jazz, Soul, Deep House, US garage etc. The NuYorican Soul album has always been a benchmark for me in terms of a perfectly constructed album and is something I never get tired of listening to.”
Those influences shine though in this fantastically musical and deeply considered album: it bares all the hallmarks of a proper full length that has been built from the ground up with fantastic arrangements, catchy vocals and real song structures.
‘Everything’s Alright’ opens the album in glorious style, with retro-tastic and sing along vocals, well defined and authentic house production and plenty of feel good chords. From there, there’s skipping and soulful house like ‘Something About You’, diva vocal cuts like ‘Holding On’ and blissed out dance- pop nuggets like ‘Tomorrow’s Another Day’. The good vibes continue from start to finish with many highlights along the way, such as the sultry and seductive deep garage house of ‘Want Me’ and classically inclined joys of ‘Love For Life’.
The production values are sky high on this album, and though it might have been a long time in the making, it was worth it, because it categorically proves that now really is Sean McCabe’s time.
Sean McCabe – It’s Time (Z Records ZeddCD033) – Released November 3rd 2014
