I’ve seen you DJ a few times now, and it’s so refreshing to see a DJ announce what they’re playing. [Dam holds up the record's sleeve above the decks while announcing to the audience the name the artist, label and release date for each record he spins]
“Well I didn’t make the music, the artist made the music. And I think it’s my duty as a DJ to respect the artist and give their credit where due and educate the audience by telling them where it came from, they seem to enjoy that [laughs] I like to share the music, its for all of us.”
Who’s your favourite DJ of all time?
“Chris Cut aka Peanut Butter Wolf. For his skills on the decks, willingness to take musical risk and ‘go deep’ with the party people on the ones and twos while playing out live. You’ve also got to respect his private ‘original wax’ pressings collection, it’s incredible.”
What are your top three ‘joker’ tracks as we like to call it in the UK, the records that are guaranteed to set the dancefloor off?
“[Laughs] That’s a good term, my top three joker tracks? Hmm, I know this, I’d say ‘Messages From The Stars’ by The Rah Band, that was released 1983, is always good. ‘Danger Zone’ by Midnight Express, also in 1983, it really captures that funk boogie sound and gets a good reaction when I play it out. Finally the band East 17 Division, they have a song called ‘Textures’. Those three records always get people dancing and that’s what I love to do you know, I like people to enjoy the music.”
Which do you enjoy more, making music or DJing?
“Well I’m a Gemini, so I have two sides [laughs] I would have to honestly say, record collecting and making music would tie. Collecting records is where I started and making music is what I love. DJing is also a big part of what I do, but that’s more for fun.”
What has been your favourite gig so far?
“I would have to say it was when I came over to London, believe that! I came for the first time last year to play at Benji B’s club night Deviation for their first birthday. Wow man, it was an amazing night! At that time I wasn’t well known outside of LA, so to have that experience playing for the first time in the UK like that was truly special. There were a couple of crowds; one who were a little bit older, that loved and appreciated the music I was playing because it was familiar, and then of course there was the younger people who got down to it and really appreciated the music I was playing even though it was all really new to them, and it was great to see them come together and create such a friends and family vibe in there. I have to say much respect to my man Benji B for bringing me over for that and the whole Deviation crew, I really respect and appreciate him playing and pushing the funk sound out there. He’s given me a lot of love and deserves his due props.”
As a record collector, what are your five most wanted records of all time?
“Well, these days I’m not looking for anything in particular anymore, due to the fact that I’ve pretty much fulfilled my personal wish list from over the years of digging. What’s happening now is I’m just currently discovering new – what I refer to as ‘unknown’ – pieces that I wasn’t aware of, which is so much fun. Digging is still alive y’all! With this question, I’d like to humbly flip it and list some of the most sought after records that I actually own, basically which I highly recommend for any digger of the music:
01. Pyramid Plus: ‘Comin’ At Ya’ (Instrumental Version), Lifeworld Records 45″
02. Wynd Chymes: ‘Baby You’re The One’ Shakin’ Records 45″
03. BOF: ‘I’ve Got Your Number’, Dupar Records 12″
04. Midnight Express: ‘Danger Zone’, Tri-Fire Records 45″
05. Steve Washington: Like A Shot, Rams Horn Records LP
Bonus is a tie between Roy Ayers, ‘Programmed For Love’, Columbia (Promo only 12″) and Jonnie Baby, ‘Special Things’, Elektra Records (Promo only 12″). All very nice pieces of “original wax pressings” that I’m very humbled, and fortunate, to own.”
Your Rhythm Trax Project, was great – ‘Indigo’, ‘Chocolate’ and ‘Red’ are all classics. What can we expect from you in 2009?
“Thank you, thank you, I really enjoyed working on that. I’ve actually just finished a remix for Animal Collective, a song called ‘Summertime Clothes’ that the band is very into, it should be released this side of Spring. I’m also very excited about my first LP Toeachizown that will be released across two 12″ due out this summer and next month the 12″ of my singles ‘Kill That Motherfucker’ and ‘B-Side Hood Pass Intact’ should surface.”
Any last words?
“Yes, I just want to say thank you for your support and to anyone reading thanks for you interest in my creativity. I have some special things in store for you so, please stay tuned and remember Funk is not a fad…It’s a way of life. Peace!”
Zainab Jama
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