Q&A: Smoove (aka Johnathan Watson) talks to MUSENKI®
Smoove (aka Jonathan Watson) is one half of the legendary edit duo Smoove and Turrell . The Newcastle based production veteran has recently launched his brilliant Multitrack Reworks label. The label project focuses on quality releases, pressing limited hand stamped vinyl editions all limited in number. Each of the tracks released on the label are reimagined or interpretations of some classic tracks, which have been constructed from the original multitracks as four volumes so far.
Not content with touring with his band, producing, running and curating a brilliant radio show ( Northern Coal Exposure),we caught up with Smoove on the phone for a quick chat, after tracking him down for copies of these brilliant editions for our own store and collection which he kindly sent us, we also wanted to capture some of the topics we talked about on the phone, as he opened up about the label and his own interpretations on things we threw him a few questions on a number of subjects.. here goes.
Afternoon Sir, first of all congratulations on the label and the releases so far,by the looks of things there seems to be a huge appetite for what you're doing and obviously we got in touch regarding your Multitrack Reworks series, which we’re huge fans of here at MUSENKI HQ. For those who might be new to the project, can you tell us what the idea is behind the label and why you choose to tackle these beautifully reimagined tracks?
"It all started from an obsession with drum samples as I’m always digging for open drums breaks". '"I discovered a few stems online as multitrack layers which is different from stems as there is allot more separation. A drum kit may have 5/6 mics unlike stems which would only have the drums mixed down as one part. One thing led to another and I had a few multitracks to choose from but the first attempt didn’t go too well as I was struggling to get the files in time on a Chaka Khan track. I must of gave up 15 times at least before I cracked it".
There seems to be an appetite for re-rubs and curated version of some of the classics, Mr K’s edits for example seem to also fit neatly into this genre as does John Morales with his Teena Marie, Marvin Gaye and Pendergrass cuts Why do you think collectors, DJ’s and Vinyl enthusiasts seem to receive these versions so warmly?
"I think dj's love to have those nice long intros and outro sections for mixing, plus having modern technology to mix better sonics also adding a wow factor to edits and mixes". "Disco music was always well produced but sometimes exposing the original parts in a breakdown can be is a thing of beauty".
There’s clearly an art to producing tracks like those covered in your releases, only a few can master or are brave enough to attempt this, we mention Morales and Krivit of course, How did you approach this in terms of selecting the tracks,and why now?
"It all comes down to what’s available really - just because I find a certain track doesn’t always mean I will find the elements attractive. I never really know what’s going to work until I try, but even then it can require extra work to make it work!" "You also need to treat the original with the utmost respect!!!"
What did you have in mind when you went into the studio to produce the tracks for the label, did you have a set idea of each track, or were these personal choices based on your own taste or influences over the years as collector, producer and DJ.
"I get really excited when I find something I think will work as a rework - usually it’s a disco track but I’ve also done a few 80’s tracks such as David Bowie & Grace Jones, Sometimes certain parts are missing which is a really annoying" "In fact I’m still trying to find some parts on a recent project where the drums are missing but I’m determined to nail it!"
Talk us through the process in terms of the arrangement,we understand that the drums sequences were tricky in terms of replay, what other challenges were there in terms of getting to the finish line with each track?
"There is a bit of a race on these things as you really want to get your version released before anyone else does, but ultimately it’s about paying respect to the original artists and being tasteful." There is a lot of bad edits out there as we all know and just hope my work stays well away from this area."
"Getting drums in time and sonically tight is the goal for me - after that pretty much everything else usually falls into place, I would probably spend equal amount of time working on an interesting structure with a nice build up on the intro etc."
"I have an incredible pair of monitors Focal SM9 the detail is ludicrous - without these I really don’t think I could produce the way I do these days."
You are a percussionist of course, how important is live over the mechanics of digital and computer aided noodles and sample packs?
"For me they are both integral to what I do as I think seeing what makes a crowd react in a live manner or as a DJ setting, reflects allot in the way I approach the mixes and the structure."
How did the idea for the label come about, what other plans do you have, we understand there are four releases so far, is there a cut off point, or can we expect to see a multitrack remix, or future collaboration in the pipeline?
"I didn’t even realise I had made a full albums worth until I send a zip file to a friend when I saw ten tracks in the file!" "I guess I was so busy having the fun it didn’t even occur to me. I will probably keep going until I run out of decent tracks or my hard drive dies."
Tell us about your radio show, it’s now on a number of cast stations and runs from Brooklyn through to London, Brighton, Newcastle and more.. What’s the format and again how important is this to the overall aesthetic of your output creatively speaking.
"I’ve worked on radio on and off for many years so it was nice to return a year before covid happened. The radio show is called The Northern Coal Experience, it came in handy when we had lockdown as allot of people were tuning into our live broadcast."
"It’s important to discover new music and old music in equal amounts, John Turrell is the singer in Smoove & Turrell who also does the show with me - as a kind of side kick, but really it’s just the two of us having a laugh while I DJ."
"John also gets a few selections in with allot of new tunes from “John’s box” We our really proud of our shit radio jingles, which is a running theme and kind of sums up our northern sense of humour." "Our show is extremely eclectic even though I hate that term, it’s true to say we jump styles allot - a film score to a deep acid track, a rap record to a blue note record, Balearic, jazz, rave it’s all in there! "
"We just love to share music with people and see their reactions, it’s really important to us and keeps us grounded."
The logo, we have to talk about the logo, for the brits reading this, I’m sure there will be a familiarity, and smile when they see the hand stamped copies, but for those who are wondering, what's the logo about, how does that tie into the multitrack thread?
"This came really natural to me I’ve always loved that logo and when I decided on the name it made total sense to put the two together. I had the stamper made and ordered ink pads straight away - the whole idea was very organic."
"Hand stamping the vinyl is a cool thing to do and it is allot of work but it adds that personal touch."
What else is on the table,
"We are hard at it at the moment the tour is allot of work but we love it, it’s almost like covid never happened we just hit the ground running and never looked back."
If we came to a show,
"We play a lot of gigs in the U.K so we reach a huge number of people which is great fun!"
"I used to travel all over the globe as a DJ and as a band, but I think our travelling in Europe days are well and truly over now thanks to brexit - so many negative factors have killed that! I’m really glad we have a strong following in the U.K!"
All our tour dates are added to our website
What are you currently listening to
"So many - Delights , Mocambo , Favourite, ATA records , Dewolf , Jalapeno Records, Dusty Donuts, Colemine, We Jazz, Mukatsuku , Dynamite Cuts , Skyline, Friday’s Funky 45’s, oonops Drops." I’m currently loving Greg Foat new album and Common Saints new E.P"
What’
"Sampling or playing percussion live in the band, I also love programming drums"
What's your top ten tracks of all time,GO!
- Pharcyde- Passing me By
- Mr Fingers - Can You Feel It
- James Brown - Give It Up Or Turn It Loose
- Main Source - Looking At The Front Door
- Inner City - Good Life
- Extras - Haven’t Been Funked Enough
- Future Sound Of London - Papa Nu Guinea
- UMC’s - One To Grow On
- Cinematic Orchestra - the man with a movie camera
- Massive Attack - Unfinished Sympathy
And of course, which track do you wish you had produced back in the heady days of funk, rare groove, disco or Hip Hip? Choose a track, choose a genre or era, rarities allowed:)
"Main Source - Breaking Atoms album !"
Name an artist that you would like to
"Quincy Jones or Nile Rogers both these guys have inspired so many people over decades Oh, and Prince of course RIP.
What is the landscape like right now
"I run another label called Wack Records which has been going since 2006 and has been lots of fun. The label started as a mash up label fundamentally but later progressed to a higher creative body of work."
"I met some amazing artists over the last 20 years when I was traveling/ DJing around the world I met some very talented people who gave me a lot of demos." Some of the tracks really suited what the label was about so it made sense to release these tracks. the artists were extremely grateful when I released their work on vinyl."
"The idea was to make music for DJs who wanna rock a party, over time I ended up being more selective over what I released on vinyl, in the end most of the releases was my own work strongly based on cut and paste music which I have a strong passion for."
"The last three singles were well received, I’m particularly proud of my cut and paste tribute to AQCT which took over a year to complete."
"I try keep my head down in the studio as much as possible and keep grafting, as I think if you keep making products and being productive it will speak volumes, Longevity is the key and in this music industry you don’t often see that, so for me it’s important to keep the wheels turning and make a decent living over a long period of time as opposed to hitting the big time and dissolving fast."
I also think it’s wise to keep a few plates spinning so if one project goes down you can still survive. You have to Believe in your own product as this can pursued others to."
"I'm conscious of branding and it’s importance - an effective strong brand can go a long way! I also believe in Collaborating as it can often lead to greater things, don’t be afraid to share ideas with like minded artists.
Trust your instincts - If it doesn’t feel right , don’t do it!
And on that point,
"I would make my own pressing plant and stop clogging up the independent artists / labels !!"
Thanks and appreciated Smoove, we’re looking forward to seeing the label develop, and of course there is lee scratch perry track that we were itching to hear more of... Ouch!
"Yeah I’m looking forward to this one dropping it was his last ever recorded vocal ! Limited 100 copies !".
