Every summer needs a soundtrack…
Something to capture all the mischief, messiness and merriment. Whether you’re driving or deep sea diving, a summer isn’t a summer unless you’ve got the best tunes to match.
On July 28 we’ll be releasing Drum&BassArena Summer Selection 2013. The ultimate sunny season soundtrack, it’s 30 tracks deep, comes on double CD and download and is home to no less than 10 exclusive burn-ups you will not find anywhere else.We’re keeping the tracklist top secret for now. But to get you in the mood we’re talking to Brazilian badman Simplification. Together with Russian roustabout Nelver he’s given us Midnight. We thought we’d send some questions to his South American soundlab and find out his essential summer time soundtrack…
Simplification, big up yourself!
Ok, my name is Fabio, I’m a DJ and producer since 2001 but I never had intentions of releases, sales or to work with music. I always considered it for fun, then in 2008 I decided to invest in my producing career. I wanted an expressive name for the disclosure of my work, that’s where Simplification name came from. I’ve never stopped since.
You’ve been making some lovely noises on labels like Peer Pressure, Fokuz, Influenza and your own label All Street… This is the first time you’ve been on a Drum&BassArena album. Excited?
Yes, I am very happy with this release on Drum&BassArena. It will be very good for my career and I hope will open other doors for my work in the same way as other releases have. There’s plenty more to come on labels such as Innerground, Good Looking, Eastside and many more!
How did you hook up with Risky to make this happen?
I am the owner of the label All Street Recordings. I was talking to him about my label plans and decided to send him some tracks. Then in April this year he invited me to join this project CD Summer Selection 2013 I was very happy!
Please tell us how Midnight came together with Nelver…
Hahaha …. Midnight is one project that I had stopped on my computer, and decided to go back to work on it. I was already doing some partnerships with Nelver, and showed him one little clip of the track. He liked it and proposed we work in together, and that’s what happened, we worked together for a few days on this track sending it back between Brazil and Russia. We kept adding elements, creating harmonies until we got the result that pleased us. It was a very fast process!
Midnight is definitely a summer vibe… Was it written with the summer in mind?
It’s danceable and has a big, swinging groove. That is the face of the summer! We wanted to create harmonics, pianos, pads and melodic bass but we also wanted it to be ripped and dirty. I think the combination of these elements was very interesting.
What essential elements does a summer tune need to be a success?
A good summer track has to make people happy! It should also have elements that make you think about beaches, having a good drink, being with the best friends, too much sun and beautiful people. It has to be engaging, contagious and beautiful!
Okay. Picture this scene; you’ve worked hard in the studio for over a year, you’ve not had any time off at all, you’ve barely seen any daylight at all. Your doctor tells you it’s essential that you book a summer holiday NOW and he hands you a blank cheque… What would you book? Where would you go? What would you do?
Very good question, hahaha …. Well, first I would take my wife. We need somewhere with lots of sun, heat and beaches like Salvador in Brazil. Then we would get somewhere in the field, very calm, to see cows, farms and be isolated. Your head needs that type of isolation to renew, refresh and find new inspirations for my music. The calm makes me feel good!
Now, every summer needs a soundtrack. Please give me your three favourite essential summer tunes.
Michael Jackson – Smooth Criminal
httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b7cy-3f3sc8
Many memories from when I was very young, my father listening to vinyl at home, dancing, enjoying good music, I love this track.
Baby D – Let Me Be Your Fantasy
httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Wt1nvsoKno
I spent many good times listening to this track, I was already learn to be a DJ, and had already chosen the dark side of electronic music, I remember many nights on the beach, club, with good friends, a very remarkable time in my life.
DJ Zinc – Casino Royale
httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nqHkb0bLu9s
This track, in my opinion, is the best drum & bass tune of all time. It has everything to do with the summer; vacations, trips, tours… It’s just perfect! Harmony, synth, piano, bass: everything is in its place with perfection.
Drum&BassArena Summer Selection 2013 is out July 28.
Pre-Order it now!