Drum&BassArena 19 Years: Frankee's Top 19

With his first track released just 3 years ago, Frankee has made big waves in the scene in a relatively short time.

Quickly climbing RAM Records’ ranks with impressive releases such as Gully, Away, and Drop It Low, the talented producer has proven his versatile nature and eclectic style. We’re stoked to have him playing at our 19th birthday celebration May 24th, and ahead of the event we caught up with the man himself to see what’s new, PLUS he gave us his top 19 D&B tracks of all time…

Ez mate, thanks for taking the time out to chat! What are you up to today?

No problem. I am currently flying over Europe after a great weekend of shows in Holland and Estonia.

You had a huge start to the year with the ‘All Four One EP’, which I found to be an incredibly diverse EP showing a few different sides to you.. What’s been cooking in the studio since?

Thanks for the kind words. I am always making new music and I have a steady batch of fresh material so I’m sure you’ll be hearing that soon.

Looking forward to it! How efficient are you when it comes to production time? Do you take your time on tracks or does it depend on the track itself?

It really depends on a lot of factors. My mood, what kind of track I’m writing, distractions etc. I wrote ‘Gully’ in a couple of days where as ‘Deep down’ took a few months…

You’re playing at our 19 Years event in May alongside a who’s who of D&B legends – Can’t wait to catch your set! You’ve gone from gardening, to becoming a RAM favourite and opening for Andy C at Brixton Electric.. Serious big ups are in order! Did you always imagine you’d be doing what you’re doing now?

I can’t wait to play at the event, looks like it’s going to blow up! I never had a back up plan so I guess I had to make the music thing happen for me otherwise I would probably still be picking weeds and mowing lawns. Everything that has happened over the last two years has been amazing! I’m seriously humbled to have experienced the things I have! I love what I do and I will carry on doing it.

We hope you do! What are your earliest memories of Drum&BassArena?

I think the first time I came across Drum&BassArena was when I made the transition to digital from vinyl and I was looking to download my first batch of mp3’s. I had a lot of fun that day…

What does the brand represent for you?

Drum&BassArena for me is a worldwide online community. You have always supported the D&B scene massively and because of you the audience has grown to places it wouldn’t have before. The D&BTV series was a great way for people to see their favourite DJ’s perform regardless of age or nationality. I think you inspired some of the new breed of producers to do what they’re doing. You certainly inspired me.

Big up! What are you looking forward to most on the night?

Good people, good music and lots of laughs. It’s my first time playing at Heaven too, so I’m extra excited! You may even catch me having a rave up on the dance floor!

That’s the spirit! Have you got an idea how you’ll approach your set?

With a line-up so varied I think I’m going to approach it as open minded as possible. I will be playing the whole spectrum of D&B and some exclusives from myself.

It’s been 3 years since your first release, you’ve come a long way since then. How did you manage to keep pushing yourself creatively, and what do you think it was that motivated you and allowed you to mature into the artist you are today?

I think having RAM behind me has played a huge role in my career. Without them I would be a bit lost, so with their guidance and hard work I am more channeled and my vision is a bit clearer.

Did you find it difficult to break through the D&B-sphere? Seems it can be quite difficult to burst through that bubble…

Of course. It was never going to be easy! I’ve been working at my hobby since I was 13 years old. Perseverance is everything. I think the old cliche ‘If you want something bad enough, keep on doing it and you will succeed’ is extremely apt.

As I mentioned earlier your releases are quite diverse, which to me showcases your versatility as an artist. While I love the raw, gritty nature of tracks like Gully and Drop It Low, I’m a sucker for emotive numbers like Away – how do you settle on the vibe of a track? Is it a matter of being pissed off one day and thinking “I’m going to make a filthy banger”, or feeling really happy and deciding to make a track that punches you right in the feels?

I never go into the studio with a certain type of track in mind but my mood will always have an impact on what I create. I think samples are a massive factor on what I produce and sounds around me. Inspiration is almost like a sixth sense. You can’t control it. If it’s there take it and embrace it.

Interesting piece of trivia about your music?

I don’t really know what I’m doing… I just wing it!

Haha you’re doing pretty well 😉 Artists or specific tracks you’re blown away by at the moment?

Emperor’s EP is gigantic! The Prototypes’ LP is wicked too!

What’s the plan for the rest of the year?

Carry on making music and loving it. Additionally performing in lots of different cities and countries and really enjoying it.

We’re celebrating 19 years in the game… So with 19 being the symbolic number, give us your top 19 D&B tracks of all time…

Pascal – P-Funk Era

This was one of the first liquid tunes I heard when getting into D&B. So different but so interesting.

Krust – Warhead

One of the first tunes I bought on vinyl. Classic stepping D&B. To this day it remains in 90% of my sets.

Dillinja – Threshold

This list would be incomplete without a Dillinja track. I think everyone has a favourite tune by him, and this is up there as one of mine.

Calibre – Waiting

As with Dillinja this list would not be complete without at least one of the billion amazing tunes Calibre has made. One of the first few on his Signature label, this release b/w Trust was absolutely superb!

RAM Trilogy – No Reality

I remember going into my local record shop to buy this and I got the very last copy. Needless to say hours and hours of fun were to be had on the Technics…

Roni Size & Reprazent – Trust Me

I remember having a tape pack with Hyper D reciting his ‘IIII’m just a junglin’ soldier’ lyrics on this one and hearing the crowd in the background going mental for it. All I could do was imagine I was there as I was about 12 years old at the time. Still play this one out!

Pendulum – Masochist

When Pendulum came about on the scene there is no doubt they changed the sound altogether. I have massive respect for these guys and this is just one of the many absolutely amazing tunes they have produced over the years.

Ed Rush & Optical – Watermelon

When I first bought this Vinyl I was always more partial to the B side ‘Sick Note’, but as time has gone on the A side has slowly but surely taken its place and risen up the list of one of my favourite D&B tunes of all time.

Sub Focus – Follow the Light

Sub Focus has always been a massive inspiration for me. This is in my eyes his best work. The chord progression is just magical! Then the organ type bass is just perfect. I have probably played this in every single set I have ever played.

Shy FX – Feelings

I remember Friction opening with this at a NYE party somewhere at midnight and the vibes were just through the roof! The vocal is just way to catchy. Proper sing-along tune.

Fresh – Signal

For me the best intro I have ever heard. To this day it has not been topped. Not forgetting the absolutely devastating reece drop. One of my all-time favourite D&B tunes.

Omni Trio – Renegade Snares (Foul Play Remix)

This tune has stood the test of time and exceeded it by still being dropped by everyone and sounding as fresh as it did when I first heard it.

Krome & Time – The Slammer

A bit before my time but I love this tune as much as any. The hardcore vocals and pianos for me are what make it special.

Origin Unknown – Sound In Motion LP

Im afraid I’m going to have to cheat here and put an album in the list. This was the first album I bought on vinyl. Such a class album! This came out around the same time I was really getting into the whole mixing thing.

Mampi Swift – The One

When I started mixing I had a pile of about ten tunes that were fail-safe mixing tunes. This was always at the front of the pile.

Bad Company UK – Ladies of Spain

So many Bad Company UK tunes to pick from but for me this was such a – pardon the pun – ‘fresh’ and different outlook on D&B. I had never heard anything like it before. Such cool music.

Calibre & Zero Tolerance – What I Feel

One more Calibre tune for good measure. Not one of his best-known tracks but for me is one of his best. So much emotion in one track, it’s hard not to cry when listening to it.

Andy C & Shimon – Terraform

I remember hearing this tune on Kool FM and I spent a few years tracking it down. You can imagine my reaction when I finally found it.

Firefox – Buck Rogers

This is one of the only tracks I could never find on Vinyl. Once I made the move over to digital and finally got the Internet this was one of my first downloads.