Our very own music reviewer Mannix has been busy in the studio with the irresistible Lisa Shaw and together they’ve made a lush new single, ‘So Much Time’ dropping soon on Favouritizm. Time to check in with our mighty barometer of House & Disco…
Mannix welcome back to DMCWORLD… How has your 2016 been so far?
It’s been pretty good with loads of exciting new experiences, both privatley and music wise.
We love your new single ‘So Much Time’, how did it come about and what was it like to work with Lisa Shaw?
To do a song together with Lisa was something on the horizon for quite some time. I always loved her unique voice and songwriting talent. There are not many out there like her. It was amazing working with her and her manager Joe. I hope that track gets what it deserves, endless buys! 😉
Have you always been a fan of hers?
Yes, I always respected her for what she did because she doesn’t submit a vocal here or there. She only goes for a project if she has faith and trust in it and that’s why I’m honoured to have worked with her even more.
Will there be a follow up?
I think if the track does well, everything is possible. Let’s see…
The single is quite deep compared to many of your disco works, is this a conscious change in direction for your sound, where do you see yourself heading musically?
Disco is deeply rooted in my heart and it will always be my love. As an artist I don’t wanna be reduced to that one genre though. When I play out, I spin a lot of different styles within House and some of my latest productions and remixes have been slightly deeper affairs. I don’t wanna follow trends, I rather create them! So there will be more disco-fied tracks coming again, alongside old school House tracks and some deeper jams as well. The important thing for me personally is, that all my productions at least must have some sort of SOUL in it. As long as this is the case, I have no problems with all those genres.
What’s your favourite of your own productions?
That’s quite difficult to answer. As an artist you always try to develop your sound, so from that kind of perspective it probably is my remix of Raul Midon’s ‘Sunshine’ which definitely is the best production of mine when it comes to sound. All the tracks and remixes I did for UK diva Dina Vass remain special for me, as is the original production for Susu Bobien’s ‘Joy’ back in the day.
You’ve been producing and remixing for a lot of years, in what way do you think your sound has developed since you started out?
My main aim there always has been to create a certain recognition value of my sound. I guess when you listen to my old productions as Whipped Creem the sound itself isn’t that different than my latest productions. It has developed technically but if anybody had all my releases ever, this person certainly will assert some kind of signature sound. And that, considering the aim of establishing a brand, is key even more today.
What’s been your biggest learning curve?
That there are more important things in life than working and being on three different events at the same time.
Your proudest moment?
Musically when a track we did a remix for, went to # 1 in the UK Top 40 (Hear’Say’s ‘If You Wanna Roll”).
How do you typically go about writing a new track and where do you get your inspiration from?
I work together with my long time musical partner Albert, so before we actually meet at the studio I create some basic ideas and grooves at home. When we come together one thing leads to the next. He’s a great musician and executes my ideas perfectly. The structure and buildup of the track is my part again alongside details in sound.
Do you think you will produce an album one day?
I always said I won’t die before my album is released. Half of the tracks are ready, so yes it will happen! Hopefully I find a good label to release it!
Your quite an institution on the music scene – a journalist, radio presenter, music producer, DJ, what’s the favourite part of your job?
Every small mosaic is very important to me. Our Crystal Radio Show, which I do together with my buddy DJ WaX is something I absolutely adore. The writing for international magazines again is something, that is giving me a lot of joy, because you get so much love back from artists and labels. On top of it I love being able to play music as a DJ in so many countries, making people dance and smile! Finally nothing can top the feeling, when your own productions gets released and bought by people all over the world. Probably that feeling was more special a few years ago because at that time there weren’t so many records released each day, but it’s still something very unique.
An authority on Disco too, who is cutting it on the contemporary Disco scene?
For me people like Dave Lee (Joey Negro) Dimitri From Paris or John Morales are producers who have always sticked to their sound, which was or is Disco. I have seen quite a lot of DJs and producers who always follow trends and do this and that. For guys like us, who keep developing a sound without leaving the path completely, it of course is difficult at times because trends come and go and so sometimes you could do 30 gigs a week and when your sound isn’t en vogue you suffer a bit. But still for me that is the better way to stay true to your heart and polish up your brand. Coming back to your question, people I wanna mention within the Disco genre are Mike Maurro, who basically is the new Tom Moulton to me and The Reflex, who does some fantastic reconstructions within that genre as well. I also respect acts like Session Victim, Luxxury, Tuff City Kids, Juan Laya & Jorge Montiel, Ashley Beedle or Timmy Vegas to name but a few.
Which one record makes you say ‘damn, I wish I made that’?
Melba Moore’s ‘Standing Right Here’….but somehow I did manage to make it some 30 years later 😉
Was music always going to be your life path or was there ever anything else you wanted to do?
In real life I’m a marketing & events manager and that beside sports and music is my main passion. I am lucky that all three aspects are part of my life each and every day. But all of that isn’t as important as my family-that’s the most inspiring and essential part of my life.
Who was the last DJ you danced to?
Lenny Fontana at my 25 years special event.
What are the 5 big tunes in your box this weekend?
Louie Vega – Heaven Knows
Mannix ft Lisa Shaw – So Much Time
Emanuel Satie – Ride Your Body (Sabb’s Afterdark Mix)
Reboot – Just Hang On (Kölsch Dub)
Sonny Fodera – Feeling You (David Morales Remix)
What’s next for Mannix?
Mannix will teach Donald Trump how to spin and respect House Music. Beside that I will finish the year off with two more remixes (for Asia Yarwood and Steven Stone) and one more Original production, that again will be a little different.
Mannix ft Lisa Shaw ‘So much Time’ will be released on November 21st 2016 on Favouritizm
