The sumptuous Stereo Sushi: Version 13 is here with a plethora of hi-fidelity soulful house, fresh from the deep. We caught up with Sushi fav, DJ Spen for a few wise words...
Sushi vs DJ Spen & The Muthafunkaz Stereo Sushi: Version 13 is here with a plethora of hi-fidelity house music, fresh from the deep & keeping in tune with the soulful Sushi vibes, we caught up with one of the genres finest, DJ Spen, otherwise known as Sean Spencer. Having been involved with music since the tender age of 13 his name now appears on Version 13 in various guises a whopping 6 times.
Q. Spen, at the age of 13 you were heavily involved in a number of radio projects & later went on to form one of Baltimore’s first Hip Hop production groups, The Numarx. Milli Vanilli later covered “Girl You Know It’s True”. That must have been cool but where did you guys find your inspiration early on? Do you keep in touch with any of the original members?
A. Inspiration for me in those days came from the likes of Grand Master Flash, Run D.M.C. , Slick Rick, Big Daddy Kane and L.L. Cool Jay (just to name a few). Hip Hop was literally our lives. That being the case doing a song like “Girl You know It’s true kind of came easy for us because we were so totally immersed in the Hip Hop sound at the time. I still keep in touch with all of the members of the Numarx. Funny how we’re doing all kind of jobs from major label executive to fire fighter.
Q. You've worked on a lot of radio shows including the “Flashback Saturday Night Dance Party” which is still a hit to this day but it wasn’t until 1989 when you formed Jasper Street Company with releases on The Basement Boys label. What was it about “House” music that caught your attention & managed to hold it for so long?
A. I grew up listening to all kinds of music. Rock, Soul, Jazz, Country, & Gospel all had and still have a place in my life. I think that what I really Love about House is that it can encompass most of the sounds I love and more. Gospel House, Latin House, Jazzy or Lounge style House, Electronic House, Acid House, and the list goes on. House music makes people dance and dancing and singing are essential part of my existence.
Q. Like many producers, you’ve been fortunate enough to work with some of the finest artists in the world, Diana Ross, Everything But The Girl & Shaun Escoffery to name a few as well as Mark Evans & Barbara Tucker on the single ‘We Are’ (which features on Version 13). Who has been the best person to work with and if you could choose anyone to work with today, who would you choose?
A. My favourite person to work with is a woman by the name of Sheila Ford. Which is amazing to me because after working with the likes of Ann Nesby, Barbara Tucker, and Joycelyn Brown I thought that (other than bringing people like Phyllis Hyman back from the dead) it couldn’t get too much better. Shiela (who we are signing to an album deal) is just an amazing all around talent. She can sing , play instruments, write, and almost anything else we can dream up.(I would have to say that I would love to experience working with PattiLabaelle or Valerie Smpson just to name a few )
Q. In 2004/5 you formed The MuthaFunkaz group with Gary Deane, Irvin Madden & Gary Hudgins & really kicked things off with Ron Hall & The MuthaFunkaz feat. Marc Evans “The Way You Love Me”. With four minds in the group, how do you guys work together & what do you think you need to work well as a group?
A. Working with these guys in like working with arm extensions. Gary Hudge is a practical sounds genius, If were looking for something, he can go right to it. This is largely due to his years of experience as a keyboard player with the Parliament/Funkadelic organization. He is also the bomb vocal arranger and I cannot imagine doing this easily without him. Irvin Madden is nothing short of an amazing guitarist. Bass is his main instrument, but when duty calls he can pick up an acoustic or an electric guitar and play them like he was born to do it. He is also a great creator. He comes up with some of the most interesting things musically that boggle my mind! Gary Deane is the computer/engineering geek. He is probably the guy who is most important to the final sound that you hear from us. Our computers are all hand made by this guy as well.These guys make up the MuthaFunkaz with myself. Makes what I do seem small by comparison.
Q. Nowadays, you spend a lot of your studio time remixing & producing under The MuthaFunkaz alias. Which of the remixing / original production aspects do you prefer & where do you now gain inspiration from?
A. I love both producing and remixing. But I think my preference is remixing. I like taking a song and creating a new arrangement with just the vocals. The vocals are usually the inspiration which when remixing for me. Producing is just as much fun but the inspiration comes from where ever.
Q. Spiritually Sound & Code Red, both labels of yours are doing really well & your strong connection with Defected has enabled you to do much more. How important are these partnerships & what kind of grooves can the Stereo Sushi fans be expecting?
A. Our Partnership with Defected has proven to be vital! In a time where the music industry is suffering from the declining popularity of Vinyl and CD’s, alliances are of the utmost importance! Defected has afforded us the amazing opportunity to be able to do what we love to do…make music! All kinds of dance music! For that reason we are totally dedicated to Defected and their cause to continue to make the best dance music possible. Coming soon from the Code Red/MuthaFunkaz camp is the long awated LP from Marc Evans called “The Way You Love Me”. We are totally excited about that project and expect it to do great things in the world of dance music. Our Core Red Summer Vibes sampler is out shortly as well and features tracks that are soon to be released as singles like the Jamie Lewis remix of It’s So Easy featuring Ann Nesby on lead vocals. Finally for the beginning of 2009 we are working on the DJ Spen & the MuthaFunkaz LP project which is going to include a mixed CD from yours truly and a ton of brand new unreleased tracks.
Finally some quire fire questions....
What’s your favourite Sushi?
Something cooked that’s for sure
If you could have any super power, what would it be & why?
Dude anybody that wouldn’t want all the powers of SUPERMAN is insane. To be able to fly is one thing, but the super strength and X ray vision…wow! The things you could do with that.
What’s your best joke?
No Comment….my jokes are horrible…my stories are better.
Top 3 favourite films of all time?
Kill Bill vol.1, Bringing Up Baby, and the Usual Suspects.
Top tip for any young aspiring DJ / Producer?
Find out what you like to do, and do that to the BEST of your ability. That will carry you for a long time! Some wise words....
Stereo Sushi: Version 13 - Released 11.08.2008