From his previous work as part of dRamatic & dbAudio we turn the page and find Dramatic now working solo. He found time during a busy album-crafting process to talk to us about what’s been happening, what with releases on Horrific, Chronic and more… and particularly that notoriously good reworking of Lennie De Ice’s classic ‘We Are I.E.’ soon to drop on the Mac 2 Pieces compilation.
Hi Dramatic, what’s cooking with you?
I’m currently working on my album. It’s taking a while but I intentionally didn’t put a timeframe on its completion, I wanted the freedom to actually enjoy making the music.
How are you approaching the album?
The album is very much a personal thing: music I want to write for myself and going forward I hope people will feel it in the same way as me. If no label feels it I’ll be happy to release it myself. I’m quite relaxed about it and rightly or wrongly have no ambition for it to be the next big thing.
It’s a cliché, but never been so true: this one is ‘all about the music’, all about enjoying making the music I love.
You’ve released on many labels over time, so what changes have you seen in D&B?
It’s obviously now a global genre bringing so many different nationalities together.
And also its a music that is now over twenty years old, well and truly stood the test of time. Two great achievements.
A lot of it is just inevitable change.
I know you’ve reworked ‘We Are I.E.’ for the forthcoming Mac 2 album. How was it to work on this tune?
It was and is an absolute privilege to have remixed this iconic tune, I feel very proud and honored.
I remember back 20 years being in a record shop and being played this for the first time and the impact it had on me.
So what attitude did you take to it?
Whenever I remix a track – particularly an older track – I try and get into the same mindset as the original author.
Any sounds and samples used I research and get from the same place they would have got them.
It really helps me understand the track and get the right sound and also appreciate the process they went through.
Now ‘We Are I.E.’ is known for its various samples and how they came together to create something so massive and groundbreaking, so how do you regard the tune?
Make no mistake about it, this track was a catalyst for D&B as a genre.
I’m not going to get into a debate about what was the first jungle/D&B tune but Lennie De Ice, ‘We Are I.E.’ laid it down…raw, heavy amen, bouncy subs, the drop and samples that were chosen and arranged with purpose.
Have you roadtested your version?
Always goes off. It’s had some great support from peeps like Friction, Fabio, Bukem, Marky and of course Randall.
About the much-anticipated Mac 2 album Pieces, what’s your impression?
It’s gonna be real.
It’s true D&B which can’t be pigeonholed into one of the splinter sections. If you love D&B you are going to be on this.
Tell us about the DJ side of things, from your perspective… what are great clubs to hit?
dbAudio took care of the DJ side and so since he took a break from the scene break I’ve not picked up the mantle. On completion of the album I intend to.
But playing for Innersoul, Perception and of course Fabric are always great nights.
What’s due for you next release-wise? I know of some amazing stuff on Chronic for example…
Recently released is a 12″ on Horrific Recordings with Arp1 and dbAudio, ‘Clash of the Kings’ and ‘Fragments’.
Out now I’ve a couple of tracks on the new Chronic Rollers 2 album: ‘Never Change’ and ‘Lightbeam’ which are collaborations with fellow Nottingham artist Terraform and the mighty Paul T.
Forthcoming is a 12″ on LD Music called ‘Blessing’ and ‘Stormtrooper’ with Arp1 and dbAudio.
I’ve a 12″ coming out in the next couple of months, my debut on a certain label… just for the waiting for the label to release the information! So hold tight.
Also there’s my next release on Liquid V called ‘Rose Garden’ featuring the fantastic vocals of Wednesday Amelia and 92 Frequencies.
(Check a recent V recordings podcast to hear more)