A biiiiig project requires a thorough investigation, so it was time to again hook up with Digital for part two of a chat about Synthesis, his multi-collaborative work: check out part one here.
Hi again, last time we spoke about the collabs including Spirit, Om Unit, Nomine, and I wanted to touch on more this time regarding the work on Synthesis. So, to start with your work with Response: tell me about the linkup with him… from the first I heard his work I felt he was in similar territory as you…
The link with Response was through Ingredients Music.
Originally myself and Ingredients thought it would be a good idea for me to link with Response because we enjoyed the same style of D&B, Ingredients could get some good music out of it and in general I heard good things about Response and his brother Adam.
We were right about the music and I’m happy we met as we speak every week and I look at him as a good friend.
You worked together before…
‘Silver Lining’ was the first track we made which is a full on jungle number almost seven minutes long.
It came together really easy because we work in a similar way.
It’s a perfect fit for Function Records so it was the A side of the come back release ‘Respek Da Foundation’ featuring the Dub Phizix remix of ‘Deadline’.
Tell us about working with the formidable Resound and how your track came about. How did it start? What was it like to work with him on the production tip?
‘Shadows and Dreams’ has been around for a while now. We have another called ‘Rhytual’ we started at my house that’s been around for ages too.
Resound is a wizard way ahead of most people in regards to production so it’s a pleasure to work with him because you’ll learn a heap of tricks too however, he’s ever so humble!
Take us into ‘Rise’? I’m transported back in time by this in a very good way.
Mad Vibes Tony is a friend of 10/15 years now. Although, he lives in Germany we talk and email a lot and we visit each other once or twice a year.
‘Rise’ came about when he came to mine with a number of ideas to work on.
‘Rise’ really hit me because it reminded of the great times I had raving when there was a real mix in a DJ’s set. For example you’d have Good Looking, Creative Source, Photek Productions, Source Direct, Krust, Roni Size and Dillinja beats all in one set, oh and Moving Shadow stuff which is what ‘Rise’ reminds me of.
How did you and Total Science come to work together, and of course Sofi Mari?
I know Sofi Mari via Will Miles. I was taken aback by her singing because she’s clearly naturally skilled so when I started a possible vocal track I had to get her on it!
Total Science and I go way back due to our Timeless Records days, and the club night ‘Source’ in Oxford run by Brillo of Timeless Records. I’m working with Total Science quite a bit at the moment with their 20 years of C.I.A. album and a Total Science V Digital & Spirit project due in September so I was lucky enough to slip Catch in the mix too.
How does age factor here, as in does it mean anything or do people of diff ages – such as various producers – bring diff views?
Age can be a factor in regard to the way people work in the studio but usually it’s the way they’ve been taught.
If they’ve gone to college they’re a bit set in their ways but I’ve never been to college to learn music production so I’m very open minded… and I’m always willing to learn and look for advice: Nomine, Spirit and Kiat will tell you that.
So last time we touched on some tunes that influenced you, do you have another… maybe something that came up in the course of the sessions?
Response and I often talk about random tracks and how we should relax and do whatever. I remember us holding a vibe from this: Ability II ‘Pressure Dub’…
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TBgztBW01jg
OK cool, any shouts?
Spirit, Response, Bryan G, Marc Mac, Storm, Flava, Horrific James, Nomine, Kiat, Kenny Ken, Handy, Jan + Lex, Rupture London, Voytek, Sahra Mirreh, Lynda Carr, Sue Busto, Blackeye MC, Imperial Philly, Veronica Piscopo, Y.T. Theory, RED EYE RECORDS.