Only a few more sleeps until Bloc! And we’re bringing you the last of our Braindrop @ Bloc interviews. This week we have the incredible honour of speaking with MJ Cole, a true dance music legend and arena headliner for our Braindrop showcase on Sunday.
Mr Cole was one of the leading lights of the UK Garage scene. Responsible for many a UKG classic before (Talk to Me / Treat Me Right are 2 of our faves), it was the seminal Sincere which catapulted him into the limelight. A timeless masterpiece, it set the bar for his production style for which he would become famous. Tight, skipping beats, punchy bassweight, lush classical arrangement and his much copied off-beat vocal snippets. Pete Tong got hold of one of only 20 test pressings and the rest is history. A hugely successful and inspiring career followed – including a string of anthemic singles, a Mercury Prize nominated album, countless classic remixes, a hectic international dj schedule and the rise and rise of his label – Prolific Records.
Where as a lot of leading UKG producers have all but disappeared, MJ Cole has adapted and developed as an artist and remains a towering force on today’s bass music scene. His current musical output retains the musicality of his earlier productions and crosses them with the tribal riddims and shuddering bassweight of UK funky. Check out the massive AO ft MC Serocee, or Fly Up Ya Banner (produced jointly with fellow UKG legend Zed Bias) for a taster.
MJ Cole kindly took some time out of his busy schedule to do a quick interview with us. Enjoy!
BD – Hi Matt. How are you and what are you doing at the moment?
MJC – Life is good at the moment. We’ve just released the Nero remix of Sincere on Prolific and have a four track EP of mine lined up for an April release. Have also just finished remixes for Todd Edwards, Madd Slinky feat Omar, Toddla T and Serocee. Also working on a track for Examples’s album and have been DJing all over the shop (place-wise not mixing-wise I hope).
BD – You are widely acknowledged as being one of the key innovators of the 2 step sound. What were your major influences back then and what inspired you to push your sound?
MJC – Classical music was my first inspiration. This was closely followed by D&B / Hardcore / Jungle of the late 80’s. I think I contributed something to the 2 step sound mainly because I wasn’t into Garage as such before. It was my interpretation of the sound which made it different I think.
BD – Your new releases are a bass heavy, musical take on UK funky. What attracted you to the genre and what part do you see yourself in playing in its future?
MJC – I became suddenly inspired at about this time last year. The UK Funky sound really re-invigorated the Garage vibes that had been simmering for the previous several years. Again, I like to think that I’ve taken the bits I appreciated from that sound and incorporated them into the production melting pot. There’s so much good music around at the minute from producers both young and old. It feels really vibey out there.
BD – You first started releasing tunes in the late 90’s. How has your production / dj set up changed in the last decade? What did you originally use and what do you use now?
MJC – Studio-wise my setup is always changing. In the late 90’s it was Cubase, Akai samplers, sound modules like the Proteus, Vintage Keys, JV1080 etc and loads of outboard. Now, I use much more software-based processing (Waves plugs etc) but have still retained my beloved outboard kit (Neve, API, SSL, Focusrite etc). I’m using Logic Pro, Protools and Ableton Live. DJ-wise I used to be vinyl only for a good 10 years. Pretty much skipped the CD stage and switched to Ableton Live almost 4 years ago. I love this setup as it’s so versatile. I’m always adding extra functions to my controllers etc. I still like to run into 2 channels of the mixer so I can use the crossfader, Eqs etc but also have access to filters, loops, beat repeats, delays from Ableton
BD – What producers are you really feeling at the moment?
MJC – There’s so many good young guys around. Off the top of my head… L-Vis 1990, SBTRKT, Lil Silva, Ben UFO, Mosca, Bok Bok, Brackles, Foamo, Roof Light. Then there’s some more familiar names who are still running things in a big way such as Zed Bias, Zinc, Donaeo, Skream, Afrojack, Sinden, Diplo, Riva Starr to name just a few.
BD – You’re playing under the Braindrop banner at Bloc Weekend 2010, headlining alongside DJ Hype, Reso, Vent, Raffertie and Kanji Kinetic. What can we expect from your Bloc set?
MJC – If it’s anything like the NYE party expect a mashup of Funkee, 2 Step, Future, Dubstep, Crack House and a couple of classics added to the pot for good measure. Big energy Bass Music!
BD – What’s been your favourite club / festival to play in the world?
MJC – Wow, there have been many – Glastonbury and Big Chill we big points for me last year. Always enjoy playing in Japan as the systems are sooo good. Have also had some great nights in venues in UK such as Plan B, Fabric, MOS and Rainbow
BD – What are your 3 favorite tunes of all time (anything at all!)
BD – What are the top 5 tunes in your record box at the mo?
BD – Favourite Youtube video?
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Biggup MJ! You can catch him headlining our Braindrop @ Bloc showcase alongside DJ Hype & MC Daddy Earl, The McMash Clan, Reso vs Vent, Kanji KInetic vs Raffertie, AGT Rave Cru and Bass6 this Sunday 14 March.
Check his myspace
And check this excellent mix from the man himself.
Posted by chris in Blog, Featured, Interviews, Mixes.
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Bunitup
Mar 10th, 2010Wkd interview guys
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