...continued from the last interview with Osunlade and Wumi, we're now talking with DJ Smash, from New York...

D/V: What's going on these days ?

DJ Smash: Ah man too much at once! Trying to do a few remixes, Chico Hamilton, legendary jazz drummer, doing some stuff for him. There's Philip Bailey of EWF who has a new album "Solo and Jazz" we did a tune together when he put some lyrics to one of my tracks and it blew my mind. Would have never thought that someone would sing so beautiful over this track, it was such a previlege that i got to work with someone that I grew up listening to.

D/V: You're involved with Gotsoul as well?

Smash: I really believe in the concept of Gotsoul which is keeping the soul in House and Dance music alive. Me and E-man are involved in a project with Roy Ayers. That track is called "The 3rd Eye".

D/V: What label is it coming out on?

Smash: In the States it's coming out on label Midnight Records and JoJo is releasing it in Canada on his label.

D/V: Are you spinning in New York clubs these days?

Smash: For a long time I wasn't because I was travelling and working in the studio. Got burned out in the club scene after spinning 4,5 nights a week for 6 years. The clubs got shady along with the managers. In April I started a Tuesday night called Chemistry. We do this at The Apartment which is in the meat packing district in the west side, 13th street between 9th and Washington.

D/V: Playing in Europe?

Smash: Yeah I go over to Europe regularly, Switzerland which is a beautiful place, England, Italy, Germany, supposed to tour the Netherlands in the Fall.

D/V: Let's go back to your beginnings, how did you end up spinning?

Smash: I got into it because I really didn't know what to do. Tried crime, that didn't work (laughs), straight jobs didn't work. When I started djing, everthing fell into place. Collecting music and making girls dance is every guys dream. Did block parties, birthdays, weddings, strip bars etc..

D/V: Any particular dj that influenced you?

Smash: To be honest with you, not really. I was more inspired with musicians. There are djs that I respect from the past and current from Grand Mixer DST, who played with Herbie Hancock who proved to me that djs can play with bands and musicians, first time I saw dj Premiere of Gang Starr in 1990/91, he's got the gift, if you closed your eyes you swore he was a sampler cutting up all those things. Rich Medina as well. When I play it's musicians like Stevie Wonder and Prince who inspire me.

D/V: Any specific project that is close to your heart?

Smash: I'm starting a new label, Timeless Music, and the label is just going to be acapellas, new accapellas from new artists. Limited editions stuff that djs can work with and put in their sets over tracks and hopefully that will inspire remixes.

D/V: First time in Montreal?

Smash: Third time.

D/V: How do you like our city?

Smash: Love it, looking for property up here.


Peter Lightburn peter@deepvibes.org Copyright 2002. All rights reserved.
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