Having been active for more than 10 years, Miguel Graça is no newcomer to Montreal's House scene. But in the past few months, the man has been making waves on all fronts, with the recent release of his first album, "Shining Stars", which marks a milestone in his career, and a cornerstone for the city's musical landscape.

Everything started back around 1991, when he put out his very first track, "There For U", on his own label, Front Records. Selling over 4,000 units (and getting bootlegged for another 4,000), the record got the attention of Hi-Bias in Toronto, who signed him, along with partner Robert Ouimet. Together as Red Light, they produced such hits as "Who Needs Enemies", "Love Alive", and "Thankful", for which they won the Juno (Canadian equivalent to the Grammys) for best dance single, in 1994.

"This award has been brought up twice as much these past few months as it has ever been before. Back then, nobody cared that much." he says. The partnership with Hi-Bias eventually ended in 1996: "the purpose that I was doing music, was not the same as theirs, and I never got to do certain things exactly the way I wanted to".

One of these "things" is a track called "I Found Love" which was released in '99 as a vinyl single on Bombay, and is also on the album. "I recorded the vocals for that track around '93, but it just didn't happen back then".

1997 marks a new beginning, with the release of "Up To The Sky" on Ferox, the first record released under his own name, and "Space Frontiers" in 1998 on Earth. "When I started using my own name to put out records, that's when I started doing things my way".

And those three years went into creating the project, Soulnotmind, and the album, "Shining Stars". "This album is really who I am. I've tried to be as honest as possible in working on this, because if I'm not, then what's the point? First of all, I wouldn't even know if what I'm doing is good or bad 'cause I wouldn't feel it".

The final result is something that is not just a bunch of songs put together, but really a story where each track symbolizes a different chapter. And most importantly, it's an album that you can _listen to_ as much as you can play it. Graça called up a couple of Montreal-based vocalists to perform, including Darnell Robinson, who can be heard on "Speak My Mind". Guitarist Sebastien Tremblay shows up on most of the tracks, seasoning them pretty much in the same way he had on Turnstyle Orchestra's "Latin Soul" (Guidance), which was also produced in part by Graça.

It wouldn't be fair to say that the singles that were released, "I Found Love", "Pineapple", "Don't Hold Back" and "Speak My Mind" (for which there's even a video) sum up what the album sounds like. Actually, the rest of the album takes on a much broader range, using underground dance music as a basis, but really pushing it's limits, reaching for a more organic feel; "World Dance", as Joe Claussell would say. And that is partially why the record has been getting a tremendous response from the "mainstream" press so far.

All this work was accomplished from his own studio, located in a downtown warehouse building. "This is really my home away from home. Once I get in here, I get in the zone", a nicely-equipped zone as far as the gear is concerned: "I use a bit of everything in there; the 808, the EPS-12, and lately I've been using this one a lot", pointing to his new E-Mu Proteus 2000. "But the [Roland] Juno-106s are the best. I use them on almost every track I work on" he says.

And don't think he's stopped working since the album has been out: "We have a live set for Soulnotmind", which includes himself, Sebastien Tremblay on guitars, and a vocalist. He has a new EP coming out on a new french label, a tribute to DJ Sun produced with Bombay Records co-owner Nav and more: "I've been working on this new song called "Mulata" with Alain [Vinet]". The song is a tribal affair with actual gypsy vocals: "I titled the song after the name of my first guitar", says Graça. "So when the vocalist came in, I told him that this is what the song was called, and he brushed on that!". All this, plus his DJing residencies and his radio show "Groove Cocketail", co-produced with Stephane Cocke. So, "just check it out", as he says!

Miguel Graca presents Soulnotmind, "Shining Stars", CD available now on
Bombay Records.

RealAudio Sound Clips:

Classic Graça: "There 4 U", "Who Needs Enemies", "Thankful"
"Shining Stars": "Speak My Mind", "Blue Berry", "I Found Love"

"There 4 U" (M. Graça), (C) 1991 Front Records (SOCAN)
"Who Needs Enemies" (M. Graça), "Thankful" (D. Gordon, M Graça, R. Ouimet)
(C) 1991, 1993 Hi-Bias Records inc.
"Speak My Mind" (D. Robinson, M. Graça), "Blue Berry" (M. Graça), "I Found Love"
(S. Sandman, M. Graça), (C) 2000 Bombay Records

Yannick B. yannick@deepvibes.org Copyright 2000. All rights reserved.
Reproduction without express written consent is strictly prohibited.

We welcome all comments and inquiries! Please write to us at the address above.