Dance- Andy Smith :: Wessex Scene Online

Dance- Andy Smith

3rd December 2002
Russell Wood

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Nov 06 - A dose of magic medicine from De La Soul
Oct 06 - Jurassic 5
May 02 - looking good!
Nov 02 - HUNDRED REASONS
Nov 02 - NEW SUEDE BLUES

More by Russell Wood

Jan 03 - DEXTER, The Orange Rooms
May 02 - looking good!

Hip Hop/ Funk DJ Andy Smith speaks to Russell Wood about his forthcoming production work, Portishead and the So Solid Crew...

You're currently producing music as Dynamo Productions. How would you describe your sound?

Its rooted in hip hop (we have done some straight up hip hop productions with Profile from The Sound Providers), but is also aimed at the dance floor. It was originally made for us to DJ with and to be a bridge between 70's funk and hip
hop.

How did you come to team up with the other half of Dynamo, Scott Hendy?

I knew Scott from a long way back because we both worked in record shops in Bristol. I guested at Scott's Home Cooking night, and when Scott was supporting me on a tour of the US the idea of Dynamo Productions was born.

What can we expect to see from Dynamo Productions in the future? Is there likely to be a full album at some point? And are you both pursuing solo projects as well (I heard that The Document Part II is imminent...)?

The Dynamo Productions LP (titled Analogue) will be released by Illicit records in February 2003, preceeded by the Showtime Vol. 3 EP in January 2003. The Document 2 mix CD/unmixed vinyl will be out in April 2003 also on Illicit records. Scott also does solo work under the name of Boca 45 (tracks have come out on the Hombre and Illicit labels).

Which do you find more satisfying: writing and producing music, or playing out to a live crowd?

They are both satisfying in there own way - DJing is more of an instant 'buzz', but working on tracks is a more drawn out affair.

What sort of music did you grow up listening to?

Anything and everything really - hip hop, reggae, punk, disco, soul etc.

What musical artists have had the greatest influence over your career?

More producers really, like DJ Premier, Dr Dre, DJ Muggs, Cut Chemist, DJ Revolution, Madlib, Paul Nice, Beatnuts, and more recently some of The Neptunes' production.

What do you think of the state of British hip hop at the moment? Who are your favorite artists, and where do you think artists like the So Solid Crew and Ms. Dynamite fit into the scheme of things?

I think British hip hop production is really good, but I think there is room for improvement in the 'MC' department - although I like Roots Manuva and Ty, and the new Lewis Parker 12" is good.

For UK Hip Hop to get stronger it needs to be heard on an international platform. I'm looking forward to hearing UK MCs competing with artists of the calibre of Rakim, Kool G Rap, Q-Tip etc. I actually think that 'So Solid' have a better delivery than most UK Hip Hop artists. Now if they were flowing on a fat hip hop beat I'd probably be playing it, which brings us to Ms.Dynamite; I thought the first single was great, although the latest one a bit too
commercial for my tastes.

You're from the Bristol area. Why do you think so much of Britain's cutting edge music (Massive Attack, Portishead, Roni Size, Tricky, etc.) is produced in Bristol? Do they put something in the water?!

I think there is probably good music everywhere, it's just that labels don't invest enough time and money looking everywhere!

You're the "official" Portishead DJ. Do you think that this label has inhibited people from experiencing the other musical directions you've moved in?

To be assiciated with Portishead is a fantastic thing on the one hand because I get given the chance to do my thing, but on the other hand it can be annoying when people expect me to DJ in a certain way (It took about 4 years for most people to realise what I did!). I work with Portishead because of my record collection and because I was required to DJ on tour with them to highlight a part of where they come from - I am not Portishead! You come to my gigs to hear me not them (I would like the people who come to my gigs to be the people that have perhaps heard The Document and just love music and having a good time, without worrying about what genre it is in or if they 'should' listen to that music because its currently hip!).

Portishead have a new album out soon. Are they planning a tour to support it, and are you likely to be involved?

They are still working on the next album - there will probably be a tour. I havent been asked yet!

Why did you choose to use your real name instead of adopting a pseudonym, something so popular within the hip hop industry?

Just happened like that, but I'm happy to be known under my own name (I'm just being me and playing the stuff I like, so it works for me).

I noticed you drafted in your Vestax PMC-06ProA mixer before your set at the Orange Rooms. Have you used the new Vestax PDX-2000 decks, and did you prefer them to the benchmark Technics 1200s?

My mixer of choice is a Vestax 06Pro and I try to use it whenever I can; when I'm doubling up two copies of a track I haven't got time to look at an unknown mixer to check where the cue button is - I just need my fingers to go there without having to look!

I have a pair of Vestax PDX2000 at home as well as a pair of Technics decks - they are great turntables (especially for somebody that hasn't used any other decks before). If PDX2000's were the standard turntable (and fitted in every club) it wouldn't bother me - I'd have less feedback problems, that's for sure!!

Many industry sources claim that the technology behind CD mixers has become so advanced that it can match vinyl for user friendliness. Have you ever used CD decks, and could you ever see yourself converting to them?

I've been collecting records since 1978 and am not about to play horrible sounding digital discs that have no 'analogue feel' to them!! Hey, I still like the sound of cassettes in my car!