‘Globetronica 2’ – Cool album about to drop…
Hi Pathaan, welcome to the DMC world. A truly remarkable star of the Asian Underground scene – you have a personal passion for global-chill out with a Sitar twist. What sort of artists and albums were you listening to growing up as a teenager?
“Crikey, too many too many but here’s some…
The Specials, Kate Bush, The Beatles, Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, Roxy Music, Penguin Café Orchestra – a real eclectic range and obviously my passion is for all music, no matter the genre as long as it’s of an ‘Outernational’ nature – or to put it simply ‘Balearic’, as you’ll hear on my album.”
So talk us through the new album…
“I am really proud of it. I searched far and wide finding killer tracks and made a real concerted effort not to have any fillers in there. It features the likes of Mujava, Santagold, Switch, Sinden, Stereo MCs, Tigerstyle and Da Lata – all brilliant.”
A slightly (!!) different way into clubland, Software Engineering at the University of Leeds, then onto working long hours at Heathrow Airport for United Airlines – which suited your partying and an afternoon shift buying records for your future DJing career – what DJs influenced you back then?
“The likes of Danny Rampling from my wild child clubbing days in early 90s, Charlie Gillett, Gilles Peterson, K&D, Real World Records, the legendary Atlas Records and Straight No Chaser.”
So tell us about the Talvin Singh story and how you got your residency at his club…
“Well I gave Talvin a cassette having stumbled upon Anokha at The Blue Note in 1996. I then went travelling to India and on my return he welcomed me to spin upstairs on Monday nights. A brilliant experience and I am so thankful to him for that.”
What are your biggest ten tunes you are playing at the moment?
1. Minimow – Bollyhouse (SIS Remix) [Exploited Records]
2. Emmanuel – Show Time [Get Physical]
3. Bassnectar – Art Of Revolution [Amorphous]
4. OMFO – Omnipressence [Essay Recordings]
5. Survival – Exit [Exit]
6. Orbital – Lush (Herve’s Tree and Leaf remix) {Rhino Records]
7. Renaissance Man – What Is Guru (Riva Starr remix) [Sound Pellegrino]
8. Daniel Haaksman presents Funk Mundial [Man Recordings]
9. MIDIval Punditz – Atomizer [Six Degrees Records]
10. Quantic And His Combo Barbaro – Albela [Tru Thoughts]
You is your biggest inspiration in life?
” In a word – MUSIC”
My girlfriend is from Delhi, where is the most beautiful places that people who have never been to India, should visit?
“Easy – all of it! From checking out the heritage in Jaipur, to the hustle and bustle of Mumbai, to the beaches of Kerela. So much to see and enjoy.”
So the residency ‘Anokha’ what were your highlights from those nights…?
“Basically just rocking all the Monday nights from the moment I started and getting recognised for my individual sound from the off . Great nights.”
What was the biggest ‘Anokha’ anthem?
“For everyone else it’s probably a toss up between ‘Jaan’ or ‘Flight IC408’, but for me it was Massive Attack’s remix of Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan’s ‘Mustt Mustt'”.
What’s the best club you have played at –
a) in the UK
b) worldwide…?
a] The Blue Note and Fabric
b] any beach party!
And also the Italian producer Gaudi association?
“We’re great friends and adopted brothers getting on with our individual paths, but maybe a day we’ll revisit our ‘Orchestral World Groove’ guise….”
What is the most important thing that makes you want people to listen and dance to your records?
“Pure trust in me as a tastemaker. I feel I’ve shovelled through all the crap to present what to my ears is essential listening and this is possible on a weekly basis.”
“In peace Dan” x
Pathaan’s Musical Richshaw radio show is on BBC between 2am-4am every Sunday. Expect a complete cross of musical borders, the world is his oyster.”
www.pathaan.com
http://www.bbc.co.uk/asiannetwork/pathaansmusicalrickshaw/
Album out June 22nd