‘We clipped the break on our Mackie desk and fused old Reinforced habits’
Nucleus & Paradox take us into a staggering microcosm of breaks, atmosphere and their ‘esoteric’ ethos for the latest ouput. [check live info at end, especially if you are in the North]
When did you go in on this awesome, awesome material, together?
N&P – We always work together even though this involves flight costs. The 12″ was wrapped up at Christmas and sent it off for vinyl manufacturing straight away. We were quiet lucky to get an April 1st release date due to early year manufacturing ques.
Tell us about the mindset behind an ‘Esoteric’ release: what is the special x factor that makes it ‘esoteric’?
N&P – It’s our collaboration outlet for Nucleus & Paradox.
Esoteric was born in 2004 to continue our Reinforced ethos and that still influences us today as we named last years ‘Planet R’ as a cap-tip.
There’s no special factor as such although sample-etiquette is paramount in readying something for Esoteric.
We’re proud of the 30 titles so far without blowing any horns.
The next 12″ is ready entitled ‘Ubiquity’ and is a 12″ we can’t wait to release. In the early days we thought about having other artists on the label but decided to limit it to ourselves, however we are discussing a guest remix 12″ for later in the year.
How is the release being physically done… you guys are known for the beautiful production values.
N&P – This 12″ comes in vinyl and t-shirt bundles keeping the high Esoteric values.
Music and art are a thing of beauty so the packaging must be on point. Overheads-wise both of us don’t know how to use a calculator.
I imagine ‘Videoman’ being DJd off Technics/decks for some reason… I can SEE it. Do you like to DJ off vinyl?
N – ‘Videoman’ sounds better played off vinyl warmth definitely. I prefer spinning vinyl but not carrying it around. I use Serato when I play upfront D&B but still play wax for Funk, Disco, House, old Jungle and Hip Hop.
Take us into the actual tune, and why the ace title?
N&P – The title is a bit of a b-boy history lesson. The sampled ‘Assembly Line’ break is by the Commodores. Before the Ultimate Breakbeat albums surfaced those that didn’t know the name of the track tagged it from the vocal dropping into the break ‘Lets get down with the videoman and huh’.
We etched this text into the ‘Videoman’ vinyl pressing also.
What’s a DJ set you ever saw off decks of any genre that blew your mind?
N – For me Grandmaster Flash cutting up breaks in his kitchen in the film Wildstyle.
Take us into the beautiful icy vibe of ‘Scenario’ and what inspired this killer? I am transported back to a certain vibe of the now-partially-destroyed West End by this wonderful tune.
N&P – ‘Scenario’ is pretty minimal and rolls 4/4 with a swing in the loop that is a bit quirky.
We hadn’t done an Esoteric track like that for a while so we clipped the break on our Mackie desk and fused old Reinforced habits.
Where can we find you DJing out and will you go in for many hours on this? I hope so.
N – You can catch me at Formless in Manchester this Friday 8th April at at 1 Primrose Street M4 6AQ with The Untouchables, Threshold & Theory.
P – I’ll be back in the UK performing a Live PA on May 6th at Rye Wax in London alongside Stretch from Reinforced and Dead Mans Chest.
What tune is in your head?
N – Dillinja ‘In The Mood’
P – … a certain remix I’m working on at the moment for a certain vinyl label.