The Music For Freaks maestro returns with his debut on DJ Sneaks’ I’m A House Gangster label
Dan Prince checks in with a legend as he packs his bags for Ibiza with new tunes in tow and gets set for the re-launch of his seminal label…it’s what we’ve all been waiting for…
Justin a massive welcome to DMCWORLD, where on planet earth are you today?
Hi there DMCWORLD. I’m currently in Newquay – just packing some bits and bobs ready for a move to Ibiza this summer…
What was the first piece of music you heard this morning after rolling out of bed?
Well it was actually a Ricardo Villa Lobos remix of Freak’s ’80’s Throwback – he did us the remix for the re-launch of the label and I had to edit it down a bit to fit on the vinyl release. I literally jumped out of bed and stuck it on to check it with fresh ears…it’s awesome btw – we’re really pleased with it!!
A huge couple of weeks for you coming up with the release of your brand new ‘The Random Jazz EP’ swinging our way on I’m A House Gangster. Your debut on DJ Sneak’s imprint! Let’s kick off with the music, please talk us through the two tunes, mixes and the history, it all dates back to Sonar right…?
It does, I was at Sonar last year and hanging out with Sneak, Mark Farina and my Freak-brother Luke Solomon at the I’m A House Gangster label party. To be honest, it was a breath of fresh air to be listening to House Music like this because everything else that day had been sounding a bit samey. Not knocking any other House, but I’m A House Gangster has a distinct sound which I always have and always will love. I think Hector was playing at the time and he played this wicked cut which was using a jazz sample that I loved. The idea came to me then for the Random Jazz track…I’ve had this old jazz sample which I got off a TV programme years ago and it was perfect for what I wanted to do. As for Galaga, I originally wrote it about five years ago when I first discovered the original game samples online somewhere from the game. I actually sent Galaga to Sneak before the Random Jazz EP was born and he’d always said he loved it so it seemed an obvious flip-side to Random Jazz.
We hear that the EP was written with Carlos and the IAHG collective in mind, when did Sneak first appear on your radar…?
I met Sneak in 1996 when I went to Chicago for the first time with Luke Solomon. I can (just about) remember going to The Shelter nightclub there with Luke, Derrick Carter and Spencer Kincy (Gemini) and then going back to Derrick’s apartment with everyone to hang out, it was a messy night. This was where I met Sneak. We clicked and have got on since then. I’ve known and respected what he does for a long time and it’s great to get to be on his label…
‘Galaga’ features a frantic Space Invaders fused key hook. Were you/are you a computer games dude…if so, what are you shit hot at?
I have to admit that nowadays, Cubase and Ableton are my ‘games’ of choice, making beats…they leave very little room for other gaming. I have such an addictive personality that if I get started on Grand Theft Auto or any of the new generation of games, I may never return…I used to be a huge game enthusiast though – but then it was in arcades. I’m from a seaside town originally and there was no shortage of arcades…Galaga (which is where all the sound effects are from) was a favourite as was the sit down version of Star Wars which was this mad linear graphic game in a big cockpit shaped console that you sat in…I have lost many, many, many hours and spent many many, many pounds on those two alone. Once I got my first Atari 1040ST computer and discovered Cubase, the gaming stopped……….and then I discovered Technics 1200’s…..no more games for me…
Nothing can be kept a secret for too long in dance music, a little birdie tells us you are bringing back Music For Freaks…what are the plans…and why now?
Yes that birdie is extremely well informed! Luke and I have been thinking about bringing MFF back for a good few years now but just waiting for the right time. Well, the time is now! MFF has been moth-balled for about 7 years while house music decided what and where it wanted to be. The musical climate for House Music is so strong at the moment and there are a whole new generation of producers and innovators who obviously get it, very exciting times. Luke and I started approaching artists and producers who we both respect and the response has been truly amazing. As a result of our contacts and friendships over the years we’ve so far managed to secure remixes and EP’s from the likes of: Ricardo Villa Lobos, Soulclap, Oliver $, Tuff City Kids, Dave Aju, Detox Twins (Lil Mark and Rob Mello), Kruse & Nuernberg, Dan X, Honey Dijon, Argy, House Of Warez to name a few and of course Freaks. We’re very very excited about it. The first release is to be July…
From a label point of view, what are your thoughts on dance music in 2015?
Well dance music is healthy right now but from a label point of view I think it’s a tough industry to be in – any kind of music is for that matter. Music sales in a typical sense are not what they were and this makes it all the more difficult to sustain a business. However, I do think that this can have a positive knock-on effect when it comes to quality control. Labels are much more careful to make sure their releases are quality before committing to releasing them. And I think it’s this that is helping to make dance music so healthy at the moment…less crap.
And from a producer’s point of view…house music is firing right now huh?
Most definitely, on all cylinders…it seems to be the soundtrack of global youth culture at the moment. And the standard of new talent as well as the music being released by the old guard is awesome. We are spoilt for choice when it comes to good music!
The 5 biggest tunes in your box this weekend…
>Sonny Fodera & Gene Farris – We Work It (Freaks Remix) – Visionquest
This is Freaks’ most recent remix. Luke and I were really proud of it and it’s properly doing it’s job on the dancefloor
>Mark Jenkins feat. MC Chico -On Me (Skream Remix) – Hot Creations
Am caning this tune to within an inch of it’s life. It’s going to be huge this summer methinks. The vocal is ace!
>Monday Club – Blackout (Luke Solomon’s Body Remix) – VIVa Music
Big tune remixed by my Freak brother Mr Solomon to make it somehow even bigger…the breakdown is a belter and not just there for the sake of being a breakdown if you know what I mean. Strong stuff.
>Roisin Murphy & DJ Parrot – Jealousy (House Mix) – Crosstown rebels
Love Rosin….and when this hit my inbox I was hugely impressed. Another level House Music.
>Brett Johnson – Breathe – Classic Music Company
This is ace! Brett Johnson for president. Enough said.
Dead or alive – 3 jazz artists you’d like to have a drink with…
Miles Davis:
Because anyone who can make an album like Bitches Brew deserves to be bought a drink, many drinks for that matter. I will never ever tire of listening to his work.
Carla Bley:
She was a big player in the 70’s free jazz movement. She’s now 78 but I first picked up an album of hers in the early 80’s called Escalator Over The Hill which is pretty mad to be getting your head around at the age of 14. I only went in the shop to buy Freak Brothers comics (which I collected at the time). Carla Bley’s work did open my mind to music that was not following the norm and actually led to me buying Bitches Brew. Her and Miles Davis and a bottle of Makers Mark would be a beautiful challenge to embark on one night.
Billy Cobham:
To talk drum breaks…check him out if you haven’t already…He can have a glass or two as well.
I live on the little known island of Ibiza. Word on the street was that a certain Mr Justin Harris was moving here, in my first question you confirmed that! So, why the big move and what is the motivation/reasoning/game plan behind the move?
Well, I am in geographical transition in Newquay at the moment and just feel that it’s time to make a move to warmer climates. I’ve been in Newquay for ten years now and am ready to try somewhere else. Career-wise I feel that Ibiza is the centre point in Europe for House Music. And by that I mean more in a hub sort of way, not saying it’s the be-all and end-all, London, Manchester, Glasgow, Paris, Berlin, Barcelona, (insert your influential city here) etc etc. all naturally play a part in the scene. But they all seem to have a toe dipped in Ibiza’s warm waters at some point. It just seems like the obvious place for me to be. Can’t really explain it except that it’s where I need to be.. I’m also starting my Music For Freaks show on Ibiza Sonica FM radio on April 24th so I think I should be there.
A song that always reminds you of Ibiza?
‘Sueno Latino (sampled from E2 E4 by Manuel Gottsching)…listen to it (or preferably E2 E4) and you will be there in some way. It always puts me in ‘that place’ <3 3=”” span=””>
3 bucket list adventures you wanna do in your lifetime…
DJ at Glastonbury (preferably when Kanye isn’t) – it’s just something I’ve never been asked to do and always wanted to do….
Hang Glide
Snowboard off piste with my son – he hasn’t been yet so I’m going to take him this winter…
An up and coming producer to watch out for in 2015…
Hmmm – can I have two please – in equal measures?
Hanfry Martinez and Jack Keo
The last great live gig you went to?
De La Soul live on the beach here at Newquay a few years back…awesome gig…they’ve still got it!
An album in your collection you probably wouldn’t like us to know about?
Walt Disney’s ‘Alice In Wonderland’ – had it since I was seven and it would be wrong to throw it out wouldn’t it? It’s actually pretty out there, most kids productions in the 70’s were. I think it could have a lot to answer for…
The last time you pressed rewind on a track to listen to it again because it was damned good?
‘Breathe’ by Brett Johnson on Classic Music Company. It’s so good!!
And finally, what is coming out next from you studio wise?
Hmm two things out pretty much at the same time. My new EP on O’black Records called the ‘Lion EP’ on vinyl only. And a new Digital EP on Something Different called ‘A Time Like Now EP’…
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Justin Harris ‘The Random Jazz EP’ will be released on April 13th 2015 on I’m A House Gangster
PREVIEW : https://soundcloud.com/im-a-house-gangster/iahg-random-jazz-iplayer-rip
