A legend behind the decks and a big phat album coming our way…
Phil, you are one of the original underground House producers and DJs since the early 90s – your times at legendary London club night ‘Delirium’ must have been madness, what was that club like? And what was the Noel Watson toilet story all about?
“Man, I have the fondest memories of those days, Noel Watson was a true master at his trade. One of the best DJ’s I’ve ever heard in my life… The toilet story, well, when I first started going to see Noel as a friend, he would turn to me as he was DJ’ing and say “Phil, I need to go to the loo, can you take over?”. The club would be just starting to bubble, I was always so nervous, he’d test me every other week. Once, when I’m into my third mix, wondering, where he was, I saw him over at the bar, getting a drink, I knew he could trust me then – so a great moment for me. Noel has been my mentor for years.”
Big album coming out, Phlash and Friends ‘Deep Electonic Sound’ coming out on Archive, talk us through the album…
“I formulated the idea with Enrico from Archive in about a fortnight. He came to London from Verona, listened to the demos, said yes, and then I started. Deciding whom to work with was easy. As the songs were being made, I was thinking about who would suit them at the time, and contacted them immediately. Once I’d drawn up the long list of collabators I realised that I was friends with most of them, so decided to call it Phlash & Friends. I wanted to make a house LP, with songs, with varied tempos, but all 4 to the floor. Its sounds are drawn from live percussion & bass, violins and horns, to drum machines and analogue keyboards; predominately creating a Deep Electronic Sound.”
What have been the best clubs in London over the years you have DJ’d at and partied at?
“There have been many great nights and one-offs over the years in London. Some of my favourites over the years have been the Southport Wekenders – twice a year (simply awesome), Lost @ The Vox in Brixton, Co-op @ Plastic People, Soulheaven (worldwide), Soul City & Soul Logic, Enjoy Parties in the 90’s, Pergola (Milan) , The Room (secret parties) in Tokyo, Japan, Development in Manchester, Inspiration Information, Garden Party (Croatia) – after 12 years I still love DJing there. Days Like This in Birmingham, Angel’s of Love (Naples), Garage Paradise (Italy) there’s so many. Clubs I’ve visited that inspired me were Delirium, Shake n’ Fingerpop/Family Funktion, The 3 A’s (Covent Garden), Africa Centre, Sonar in Montreal, Yellow in Tokyo, Angel’s of Love in Naples, Spectrum (Heaven / London 1988), High on Hope and the Dingwalls Jazz Sessions (Camden). Now I think about this it is unfair ‘cos there are only so many I can remember, next question please!”
Your production release list is as long as my arm, incredible stuff well over 100 pieces of magic – what have been your favourite pieces of work you’ve created?
“Phlash & Friends – ‘Deep Electronic Sound’ – I’ve gotta say that . It’s my last production. I’m in promotion mode – I like something different every week, faves are ‘Earth Is The Place’, ‘Having Your Fun’, ‘Believe’ plus ‘Deep Electronic Sound’ was so much fun to make, I’m sticking with that, I love all the tracks on it equally.”
You are known as an artist that doesn’t crave the fame and front pages, quite happy to simply keep producing the class and keep your head down – true?
“Underground and undercover, thats me, not one for the limelight. Everyone has their place I s’pose, upfront front man, producer/writer backstage, working on the next song (that’s me). We are all famous in our own way, I’m just glad there are people who like to flaunt it, so I dont have to.”
You have spun everywhere from Japan to New Zealand, where have been your best gigs where the crowd just totally get you?
“Easy, Japan, full stop. Its energy and enthusiasm for old and new music is second to none, plus, every club there has a great sound system. It’s a pleasure to hear records out there. The UK is great as well when it goes off, the UK its hard to beat (there I said it).”
Your studio and DJ styles have a real edgy sound, always seeming to advance with everything – which DJs and live artists have influenced you?
“Loads – I believe in having someone to look up to. Like Joe Claussell and Louie Vega for sonics and balance, Kenny Dope & Afronaut for beats, Sterling Ensemble and Eddie Perez for keys plus keyboard arrangements, Mark de Clive Lowe for the musical knowledge and outstanding friendship and skillz aplenty. DJ’s I love are: Patrick Forge, Benji B, Aaron Ross, Christian Pronovost (Montreal), Madlib, there are too many to mention, but not forgetting Restless Soul crew always, my brothers in rhythm.”
So you started this journey in dance music at Quaff Records and then Vinyl Solution – great stores. But tell us about someone else in your life who once also worked in a record store and bring home the latest singles and albums – what sort of stuff was it, what tunes were blaring out in your home?
“You guys have researched well! It was my Dad, he used to manage the then Harlequin Records, which became OUR PRICE records. Every Friday he’d bring me home a couple of records from that week, things like the Electric Light Orchestra ‘Mr Blue Sky’ LP, The Specials first LP, The Jam, Motown Classics, Queen, The Clash, I loved it all. There wasn’t as many genres then, you got what was fresh that week, New wave, rock, early punk, 60’s & 70’s stuff on re-issue, it was great.”
What are your current 10 biggest tunes you are playing now?
“Phil Asher’s UK Ten ‘Outta Ten
1. ‘Circle Of Funk’ ep – M4 Movements – No Joke – I love this song, dope arrangement. Great, old school sounding with futuristic moments. Sounds really good, really loud.
2. Altered Natives – ‘Rass Out’ – Fresh Minute Music – fresh, fresh, big sound from Danny Native – just get it. UK label to watch out for. Mr Altered is a force to be reckoned with, A & R boys take note.
3. APHRODISIAX – ‘Unfinished Business’ – Jus House Records – Another UK Imprint worth it’s salt, Aphrodisiax are alive and on fire tonight.
4. Bopstar – ‘Captured’ – Soul Heaven – Download this homage to Derrick May, it’s all in the vocals, Bopstar’s a rising talent.
5. Jose Carretas & Guy Robin – ‘Organ’ – CDR – An energetic Match up of two Producers who are getting better with every song or Track they make, Organ is way up there.
6. 6th Borough Project – ‘Hang On’ – Instruments Of Rapture – I’m a sucker for a quality Re-edit, they keep old music alive, they keep vinyl plants alive.
7. BLAKAI- ‘Simmer Down feat. Bembe – ‘Magneto’ CDR – Pure dopeness from groovemaster G-Force and Ms Seggers. Broken beat ‘aint dead, it’s just morphing into something fresher, here it is.
8. The Realm – ‘Time’ – Papa Records – Soulful , strong vocal house from The Realm – heavy keys, tight production and sounds like Papa records to me.
9. Phlash & Friends – ‘DEEP ELECTRONIC SOUND’ – LP – cos I had so much fun making it, I hope you feel the same listening to it.
10. Rudoulpho – ‘Sunday Afternoon’ – Classic house, from the legend Renato Pearson. Real deep house.”
What is the best and worst thing about living in London?
“Worst – Congestion Zones, crap cycle lanes, it’s too expensive. The weather.
Best – many cultures and ways of living together, all types of great food, you can do something different musically every night of the week. Loads of parks, museums and cinemas to visit, it’s a cosmopolitan lifestyle.”
If your house was on fire, what ONE record wold you want to jump out of the window with?
‘Love Is The Message’ – on the Philadelphia International – Philly classics gatefold double pack.”
You have worked with some big names on collaborations over the years… who have really stood out?
“I’ve had the honour of working on some great artists, on remixes and with some of them in person. Names that stand out are Jamiroquai, Marlena Shaw, Flora Purim, Roy Ayers, Bah Samba, Dame Shirley Bassey, Charlie Watts and Peven Everrett.”
Best festival you’ve ever played at and best live gig you’ve attended?
“I once played for Bacardi B-Bar at a Creamfields, when I was playing Nu-yorican Soul, “It’s Alright I Feel it”, and you know when it comes to the breakdown, I got on the mic and asked the crowd to sit down, then jump back up when it kicks back in. Well, to my suprise they did, all two thousand of them, that was quite mad. I think the guys from Rage Against The Machine were in the room, truly good vibes. Best live gig: I’ve seen so many good’uns: Public Enemy and James Brown at the Albert Hall with my best mate Ray Whittard, Chuck Brown & the Soul Searchers @ the T&C back in the Delirium days, Stevie Wonder @ the O2, Change or Cameo @ the Hammersmith Odeon 1985, The Jam @ Wembley in their last days, So many man.”
What do yo think of the current state of London club life?
“Honestly , I think it’s awesome, so many nights still goin’ strong, new talent every week, residencies getting more and more interest, the same goes for the state of the UK’s new producers, especially in Dance music. What about the credit crunch you may say, people always need to release after a week of tension.”
Which new artists have you checked out that we should be looking out for?
“Aphrodisiax, Souled, Jose Carretas, Zansika, Shea Soul, Truss Me, the H H A, Guy Robin & DJ Leo, MoreaboutMusic, Santee, Ladybugz productions, Perempay. Not all necesarilly new artists, but about to be popular in a new way.”
Who has been the craziest promoter you have played for over the years?
“Mr Shuya Okino – Kyoto Jazz Massive and an honured producer/author/DJ/Label MD/Club Owner/Artist Manager/ Fashion icon and extremely talented host. He would think nothing of putting a night on hosting more than 50 DJ’s and numerous live acts, attended by the who’s who’ of Japanese fashion and culture in Japan at the time – as easy as running his long term nightclub ‘The Room’ in Tokyo – he’s the original 25-hour a day promoter.”
What is coming next for you after the album?
“Next up is the Restless Soul Fun Band project; a versatile little repertoire band, featuring a lot of the UK’s big hitters and some brand new talent. The music will be Funk with fun, songs and grooves, and plenty of Fun, we have around 15 tracks and songs ready to be mixed, we just need some mixdown capital. Credit Crunch again. Doh.”
“My pleasure Dan. Thanks again. Peace and Love. Phlash”
