New York’s finest delivers one of our favourite anthems of the summer…
Welcome to DMCWORLD Hector. Another beautiful piece of production you have brought us with your ‘I Found You’ release with Franco De Mulero. Tell us the history of this tune and how you two first met…
“I had the pleasure to meet Franco at Pacha, Ibiza in the summer of 2010. I was playing that night and I featured 2 of his productions without knowing he was hanging out in the crowd that night. Someone introduced us and we simply hit it off. ‘I Found You’ came about because we knew the summer was coming and we wanted to produce something that was different, mature, Balearic and something that would stand the test of time. Franco works with an amazing musician in Barcelona named Gabriel Zenni that plays the keys on ‘I Found You’ and pretty much it was a magical session that we’re all proud of.”
So let’s go back to the beginning, 1982 and the Bronx, New York where you first experienced block parties at it’s best. Who were the cats mixing it up back then and what were the tunes that got your head nodding…
“I’m blessed to have grown up during the early days of electronic music and Hip Hop that started in The Bronx. I got to see DJ’s such as Afrika Bambatta & Afrika Islam play outdoor jams. I also did a lot of roller skating (Skate Key in The Bronx was the spot) growing up and tunes like Shannon’s ‘Let The Music Play’, Strafe ‘Set It Off’, Aleem ‘Release Yourself’ were some of the tunes that were the soundtrack to my youth & made my head bop. I was too young to have experienced the Paradise Garage but the street parties during the mid/late ‘80’s definitely had a big influence on my taste of music.”
How much of an influence did your parents salsa house parties have on you?
“My parents were very social. Week in and week out there were always guests at our house. My dad did a great job of entertaining and DJing with one turntable with his amazing collection of Salsa. Fania Allstars were on rotation all the time, then my mom would stick in a good disco record here and.
The carpet wore out quickly from all the dancing that went on in our home. And when I started DJing in 1983 I’d spend time in my room playing Hip Hop and early electronic music to my cousins and friends. Good times indeed!”
You were big into the baseball back in the day, how did your family take to you shelving the diamond for the dancefloor?
“Yeah, I definitely disappointed the fam when I hung up the glove for the headphones. Especially cause I was pretty good at the sport and really loved it. But once I started freshman year of high school in 1984 I was full on taken over with the DJing. I’d come home from school and practice for hours at a time. And forget playing ball on the weekends, I much preferred staying in and work on my craft.”
You started to DJ at the age of 13 and did the whole wedding/sweet sixteen circuit which is funnily enough where you were christened Baby Hec. What sort of tunes were you spinning at those gigs?
“You guys definitely do your research!! Then again that’s why you guys are great at what you do!! But yes I was given that early Baby Hec DJ name when a Miatre D asked me, “What’s your DJ name” and I answered, “Hector Romero” – he replied, “that’s rather boring, let me give you a cool DJ name like Baby Hec”! the rest is history, well at least till the early 90’s when I dropped the Baby for my boring real name 😉 Aside from Hip Hop, The Bronx was very big on Freestyle Music or otherwise known as Latin Hip Hop. So tunes by Information Society ‘Running’ (Little Louie Vega was HUGE) also The Cover Girls ‘Show Me’ (another Louie Vega remix that was a smash) and Nice & Wild ‘Diamond Girl’ were some of the most requested songs when I did mobile work.”
What is the current top 10 you are spinning?
1. WAFF ‘Jo Johnson’ Orig – Hot Creations
2. PopSled & Magit Cacoon ‘Higher Point’ Orig –Be As One
3. Franco De Mulero & Hector Romero ‘I Found You – Orig – Favouritizm
4. David Morales And Roisin Murphy ‘Golden Era’ – Mulero & Romero Rmx – Ultra Records
5. Toto Chiavetta Feat. Kev Kruz ‘Get Connected To The Underground’ Colour 1 Mix – Vialocal Records
6. Saschienne ‘Unknown’ -Dixon Mix – Saschienne Records
7. Technasia ‘Heart Of Flesh’ – Orig – Cadenza
8. Mr. V ‘Keep Bouncing’ – Orig – Sole Channel Music
9. Studio Apartment Feat. Kenny Bobien ‘On The Way’ -Supernova Deep Mix – Lapsus Music
10. Gilles Peterson’s Havana Cultura Band, Dreiser, Sexto Sentido ‘Orisa’ Brownswood Recordings
How important were the rhythms of early house record such as Liz Torres and Ralphi Rosario which were similar to salsa and merengue – was that a reason that helped house music draw you in?
“After Freestyle music started to die off I found a new love for Chicago House Music in the late 80’s. I was a member of VIP Record Pool run by legendary Bronx DJ Al Pizarro. Each week I’d go pick up the latest promos and this is where I started collecting tunes by Liz Torres, Ralphi Rosario,Longsy D ‘This Is Ska’ and Maurice Joshua’s ‘This Is Acid’ that were huge for me. A lot of house music has syncopation, rhythms & percussion that reflect rhythms found in Latin Music.”
Why do you think you and David Morales gelled so much at that first Labor Day party which impressed him so much he asked you to come and play with him at his gigs? You were like best buddies overnight!
“I always tell young DJ’s that your personality is 50% in helping you break into the business and the other 50% comes from your talent. The first time I played at Red Zone with Morales was a huge honor for me. I was so nervous and excited for the opportunity. I knew my place as an opening DJ and didn’t try to bang out my 10 – 1am set and I guess I had natural DJ etiquette that he took a liking to. And yes I was his opening DJ for many years and I still love opening for him to this day. I’ve practically grown up with him and the Def Mix family being with them now almost 18 years. Judy Weinstein is like a mom to me – she says she’s my # 1 fan as a DJ and she has guided me to where I am this day.”
Is it true that your intention was never to be a remixer and producer – you saw yourself as a DJ and A&R executive?
“And to be 100% honest I really feel I’m still in this business to be an A&R exec. I really love doing all the background work it takes to listen, sign and distribute a record. I learned a lot of entertainment law from Def Mix attorney Steve Kopitko – he was great at letting me ask questions and going over contracts with him. I think I was part of the last generation of DJ’s that got away with just being a DJ. The days when it didn’t matter if you produced or remixed a tune in order to get gigs. But now after 29 years of dedicating my lifeto this I finally feel that I know what I want when producing a tune. And with the patience and guidance of Franco De Mulero I’m getting the results I’m after. Franco is an amazing producer that works really hard at his craft and he’s taking me under his wing. So I guess this is my next gradual step in the business and maybe be a double threat like Morales, Tenaglia, Vega – all 3 of these guys play and produce music to the highest level. It’s not an easy task.”
Aside from dance music, what genres of music are you into to, what artists are you digging at the moment?
“In my car I love to listen to salsa and indi rock. My 12 year old daughter is the one that put me onto Gotye. So I really listen to what’s she’s into and that keeps my ears fresh and on top of what the youth are listening to. I’m proud that she prefers Adel rather than Lady Gaga. I recently listened to Brisitsh singer Rebecca Fergusun’s album and I loved it – she reminds me of a cross between Aretha Franklin and Macy Gray. She would sound amazing on a house remix.”
What is the greatest hip hop album ever made?
“Because I like fun easy Hip Hop from back in the days I’m going to vote Eric B & Rakim ‘Paid In Full’ as my favorite album ever produced. I know many will argue this but it’s just my opinon.”
What producers from around the world are you giving high fives to at the moment?
“Super High Five’s go out to Henrik Schwartz, Deetron, Osunlade, DJ Spen, Christian Prommer, Guti, The Cube Guys, Quentin Harris, Uner, Maceo Plex and of late Walker & Royce. I have an eclectic taste for dance/electronic music and these producers can easily make up my DJ sets at any given day. These guys all produce intelligent tracks that you can tell that time and effort go into their productions.”
It’s your birthday, what 5 celebrities dead or alive do you invite and which DJs are playing at the after party?
“Celebreties: Will Smith (too cool), Chris Rock (need some comedy in the room), Bruce Willis (another cool cat) Jennifer Lopez (just to look at her and because she grew up in The Bronx as well) and finally Cameron Diaz (she’s a cutie also). My DJ’s would be: David Morales, Danny Tenaglia, Todd Terje and Louie Vega! Sounds like a good lineup right?”
Now that the dust has settled, what are your thoughts on Miami WMC this year? What were your highlights?
“I had a great time during WMC. House Music was very much alive and kicking! And this was the year that House Classics were really embraced by the new generation of punters. To see over 2000 people going off at The 3 Kings party where David Morales, Little Louie Vega and Tony Humphries played classic after House classic really shows that if you play good music and play it well people will dance and appreciate it.”
A lot of people are looking at the millions of dollars being poured into EDM in America andfearing that the bubble will burst before we know it, once a new fad comes along the attention will go elsewhere – thoughts on that?
“They say be careful what you wish for. And the saying can’t be further than true because I remember wishing for Dance Music to be accepted in America during the 90’s. The days when Nervous & Strictly Rhythm released great vocal records that didn’t cross over simply cause US radio wouldn’t accept it. Or even when Morales was smashing remixes for Mariah Carey – those remixes were only embraced over seas but not here in the States. And now, every R&B vocalist wants a dance remix or even original dance/electronic production for their tunes and only because it’s what cross-over radio wants here in the States. And yes it is a bit much now and being done poorly overall. And this is going to be the downfall to it all. Every EDM tune sounds the same, the productions are wartered down and beyond cheesey. There’s hardly any thought being put into the productions and not much can be said for the songs. But a lot of people are getting rich off this movement so I don’t think they’re going to let go easily.”“
What is your favourite club of all time?
“Hands down The Red Zone, NYC. That club was my Paradise Garage!! I was there every weekend.”
Why do you think your sound is so perfect for the Ibiza market?
“I’m a fun party tune playing style DJ that loves to interact with the crowd. I’m not afraid to play various style of House and definitely not afraid to play vocals. I love to smile and have fun when I’m playing and I think the crowd reacts to a DJ that’s having fun. I love to show that I’m enjoying what I’m playing and that we’re all here to enjoy and forget about our troubles for the moment and dance the night away.”
How does a European market differ from the US crowds?
“It’s simple, Europeans grow up listening to Dance Music it’s their culture. And in the States it’s not our culture – Hip Hop, R&B and Rock & Roll are part of American Music Culture.”
Who is the greatest vocalist you have ever heard on a dance track?
“Roisin Murphy! Franco and I had the pleasure to remix the single ‘Golden Era’ that David Morales produced and features Roisin on his album. Her vocals are unique and a pleasure to listen to. She understands and appreciates Dance Music and this is why I love her!”
And finally, what is coming next studio wise from Mr Romero…
“I was just on Skype with Franco going over the plan for this weeks sessions. We’re already planning our follow up for Favouritzm. Sarah has done such an amazing job promoting this single that Franco and I really want to continue working with her. We’re also collaborating on writing with a couple of vocalist because we both know that there’s a need for more proper vocal records in House Music. The tracks are cool to do but it’s the vocals that will set us apart from the pack and get us to where we want to be as producer/remixers. I’m also an instructor teaching Traktor at NYC’s Dubspot DJ School and I’m starting to take Ableton classes to help get better at what I’m doing.”
Franco De Mulero & Hector Romero ‘I Found You’ on Favouritizm will be released on Traxsource promo June 4th / worldwide June 11th 2012
