‘Elevate’ – the stunning debut album from the Kosheen creator
December sees Markee Ledge release his debut solo album ‘Elevate’, three years in the making and featuring guest producers including Seven, Leon Switch, dubspeeka and Rinse FM’s DJ Youngsta alongside guest vocalists Alys Be, Susie Ledge and Jodie Elms – a stunning selection of fresh, soulful and powerful tunes. Dan Prince gets the world exclusive with the main man…
Markee a massive welcome to DMCWORLD, where in the world are you today?
I’m in Prague in my studio making beats!
What was the first piece of music you heard after rolling out of bed this morning?
Into Tomorrow by Paul Weller. Just how I’m feeling right now…
So massive news for you right now with the release of your debut solo album ‘Elevate’ on December 4th. Three years in the making, lets kick off with you giving is a few words on each of your 17 musical babies…
1. Talk Is Cheap ft. Alys Be
This one is one of those instant vibe tunes, Alys came to the studio expecting some totally different and I played her this track and she said wow! and immediately came up with this line, so apt for that moment! Real raw vibey attitude coming through.
2. Make Your Move ft. Alys Be
I first heard this on Youngsta’s Rinse FM show. Loved the vocal and the track, messaged Alys and Leon! and here we are! Just loved the cheekiness of it and it was so catchy.
3. Purity ft. Susie Ledge — Deep
A great deep vibe, Susie smashes it.
4. Saturn ft. Alys Be — Emotional , Heartfelt
This one is a personal fave, very emotional and heartfelt track, I think this one is gonna touch people.
5. Picture Perfect ft. Susie Ledge
This has always been one of my favourite songs of Susie’s she has so many great songs, but this one stands out, just wanted to reflect the vibe in the music.
6. Escape ft. Alys Be
Another Alys Classic, you know she’s thinking of someone when she sings this and yet it could be anyone, genius, and she has great feeling in her voice.
7. Colours ft. Susie Ledge
Another one of Susie’s I really like, I reached out to Seven with this one to take it into the 140 region, actually came out not very dark!
8. Stuck ft. Alys Be
This one was another instant vibe, between my music and Alys’ song , I was going through some tracks, and Immediately thought of this one for Alys, and she can with this vocal she’s had for a while , and as if by magic it just fitted perfectly, those are the good days.
9. Elevate ft. Susie Ledge
Susie’s lyrics here, really express how I was feeling at the time, I ask Leon to work on this track, I just thought it would work for him, and he came with this deep mix, great combo!
10. Nightmares Part 2
This is my meditation song, I ask Jodie to sing these for me, so I can relax to it!
11. Trust In Me ft. Jodie Elms
808 toms tuned up for this riff.
12. Carnival
Ring Mod agogo
13. Tom Toms Of Time
A tribal track
14. Baliem Valley
Papua New Guinea
15. Only One ft. Susie Ledge
Another tribal vibe with some Susie vibes
16. Voodoo ft. Jodie Elms
I wanted to make a stripped back track and layer up the vocal notes, and Jodie can with this chant, and sudenly we were in a voodoo jungle
17. Dayz ft. Jodie Elms
I had this deep vibe, and Jodie vibe this deep lyric and it’s so infectious, then the first time I worked with Seven in the studio we came up with this track, just sits out there in it own deep dubby space, definitely the end of part 2.
Kosheen came to prominence with your groundbreaking album ‘Resist’ in 2001 following a series of crossover releases. How important was recapturing that ‘Resist’ vibe on ‘Elevate’?
I wanted to reach out to the producers I was feeling and make fresh music and recapture that vibe we had on ‘Resist’ – a real current sound but with soulful, powerful songs. Music is of a time and a place, so this is about now, but also looking to the future, I think that’s the vibe I strive for in all my music. It’s new generation of people who were brought up on what we were doing 10-15 years ago. Also, I think the of quality is important, to be able to pick the strongest tracks is a luxury.
There are 9 vocal tracks on the album – was there one in particular that sent shivers down your backbone when making it…
Saturn really stands out as this kind on track, so deep and emotional , very ‘Kosheen Vibe’, Alys has great character and is genuine and real, very important aspects of a great singer.
You took advantage of Kosheen’s hiatus in recording new material to make the album…but what’s coming next from the band?
Now I’m working with some fresh vocalists so It’s just me continuing doing what I’m doing. So, this is Kosheen’s 6th Album really or the closest you’re gonna get. So, just me carrying the Kosheen vibe.
Who are some of the young up and coming producers you’ve spotted this year that we should be looking out for in 2016?
There are some great artists and producers around, but it takes time to make a name for yourself these days, Youngsta Addison Groove, J:Kenzo, Paleman, anybody on Tempa, Swamp81 or Rinse FM!
In your opinion, has 2015 been a good year for music?
It’s been a good year for me, haha!
What was the best DJ set you witnessed this year?
Youngsta at the Cross Club Prague.
And finally, the debut under your belt! Have you enjoyed the whole experience, was it harder/easier than you thought?
It was a process with many twists and turns. I just need to express my music, and get it out there, how it is released and under what name etc, is what I call business, and is quite alien to me, luckily I have some great people around me to help with that.
Thank you dude. Love the album.
Thanks Dan. BIG UP!
Markee Ledge ‘Elevate’ is out December 4th
