YATM: We're told that you are the Spurs fan and Stuart is the gooner. Is that true?
DTD: Yes I am a Spurs fan, My DJ name /Nickname “Dan the Drum” is because I banged a big bass drum for 10 years on “The Shelf” one of the stands at the old White Hart Lane ground.
Stu is a Gooner unfortunately yes.
YATM: So, after Norman Jay, Hoddle & Waddle, was Stuart the next person you thought to call about the 'UK House Sermon' Proj'ect?
DTD: There are many of DJ mates that are supporters of the only TRUE North London club, Peeze & Blocko, Norm, Terry Jones, Martin Lodge etc and I interviewed them for the role but they all sounded far too professional .... so that’s what made me think of Stu.
Note: for non-North London footie fans, Arsenal fans are Gooners and are originally from Woolwich, South London.
YATM: But 'joking' aside, your combination and the diverse people you've included on the cover and the names, areas, clubs, artists that you name check, is a reflection of the best of the UK house community - which is the thrust of the track and the 40 year celebration of its roots in the UK right? Tell us about the inspiration for the track.
DTD: In all seriousness, I’ve admired Stu for his continuous work within the scene over the past 40 years or so, Promoting, Producing and DJing.
His passion and continuity were key for me, and I wanted a voice that was both pro-sounding but still had the air of the original pirate stations from the early days.
The inspiration for the track came from a conversation I had with Stu one night. I was talking about how far the UK House scene had evolved over the years and how I remember back in 87/88 listening to a track by Mr Lee called “Pump Up London”. He was from Chicago (I think) and he was name dropping UK cities …I guess he was doing that as he/they could see how much it had taken off so quickly and wanted to get in with the UK dance fans. To a young me it sounded so shite, not his voice or the track. I had bought it after all, but when he said L..L…Leeds… Nottingham etc it just sounded naff.
I now think that was as much my own preconceived ideas of the UK back then, I guess I looked to the other side of the pond and thought ...we weren’t as good as them, as a kid everything about America seemed better and cool.
Moving forward 35 years I now have immense pride in UK House and how as a nation we have played a massive part in it.
So, I think the idea goes back as far as Mr Lee and “Pump up London” this time done by “us” (UK Artists) with as true sense of belief and honesty about our side of the story.
When I recorded Stu, I asked him where it all started for him, he said the first line and I knew I had what I wanted, and it would be real… “I was properly bitten around 86-87 driving around in Paul’s Opel Kadett, Jazzy M on TWR on the radio or early Chicago house comps on the tape deck”.
We were very conscience of not just making it a publicity stunt, we wanted a genuine story, and I think we got that.
Then one evening last year I went to The Neptune Hall (A pub in Broadstairs) with my Mrs, Trace the Ace, to watch some pals, Richio Susuki and Andrew Medhurst DJ.
Up on the wall was a poster by Roual Galloway called “The London House Tree” which was basically a “6 Degrees of separation” connection of parties and venues and I was talking to my Trace about starting the track then glanced up the wall and saw it… IT WAS A SIGN..
And so began The UK House sermon.
I then did a demo and took it to Stu and we went to a pub in Harlesden and recorded some rough vocals and we went on from there, enlisting my amazingly talented pal, Carmy Love, to put the soulful female elements in and along with some exquisite instrumentation from the talented and all round bloody nice bloke Darren Morris… and here we are!
YATM: It wasn't so long ago I saw Gary Ellis (South Beach Re-cycling) vlogging (is that still a thing) about his dad introducing him to House 40 years ago and saying it wouldn't last. I'm sure they said the same about Rock n Roll, reggae, disco. But what was your first exposure to house music?
DTD: My first exposure to House? It’s hard to pinpoint as I was always into music. I was born in Tottenham and went to school in Walthamstow and there were loads of great record shops which I went to every week to spend my Saturday job money. Also, there was a good number of pirate stations to listen to and we had a couple of mates who had family in New York, they always had tunes first.
I can’t remember House starting as a definitive moment, more one as with most things, it was a steady amalgamation of other music to get to what we now know as House. I went from reggae and 2-tone into jazz-funk and then electro which led to House.
Note: I can confirm Walthamstow was the place to be at many points in the last 40 years, arguably none more so than when Small Wonder Records were in Hoe Street, I lived at #207 (since demolished) and the Radio Invicta (Pirate) reception was less than perfect.
YATM: What was your house music epiphany record? The moment you thought… this is it for me?
DTD: I can remember hearing “House Nation’ and “Move Your Body” out in Camden in the mid 80’s and thinking blimey! That’s set the cat among the pigeons!
YATM: Where were the first house clubs you used to go to?
DTD: The first and still my favourite is Camden Palace but loved Benji’s down Mile End Road or if we were flush, The Wag.
YATM: Did you ever go to Eltons in Tottenham?
DTD: Haha of course I did along with The Ritzy, Rudolf’s and Manhattan’s
YATM: It's great that you include Ireland and the US in the Sermon. I read something recently about Chicago DJs being better known in Europe rather than their home cities in the early days. Never mind the US as a whole. Do you think that is true and why do you think that is?
DTD: I certainly think that they passed the baton to us and I must quote a line from one of the sessions I had with Stu which I would have loved to put in the track… I asked him the same question and his reply ..
“They came over early doors then came back 6 months later and everyone was running round in floral shirts and baggy trousers throwing E’s down our necks and them saying -What the fuck has happened here?”
Their scene wasn’t drug driven and was quite isolated to certain clubs in certain cities whereas ours was “E” driven and it spread like wildfire through not only cities and towns but to villages.
YATM: Why do you think we have had such a massive appreciation for US house music in the UK?
DTD: I think we will always doff the proverbial cap to them for being pioneers. But I’m sure it’s a two-way stretch.
YATM: Did Jo (F*CLR/Ramrock) Wallace always see this as a trilogy - Original, X-Press 2 remix, North Street West remixes or did you have some input into this remix planning?
DTD: I always envisioned it to be the original and one remix. Stu and I were aware that the original was very vocal heavy and quite lengthy and it wouldn’t be a club record on its own.
We both have always loved X-Press 2 and they are such talented fellas and have always produced great remixes. I had a meet with Rocky, he then discussed with Diesel and they were both in agreement that they would love to do a remix for us. Rocky asked if they had “Free Rein” of course I said!
Then I got a text from Rocky with just the words … “It’s big!” He was talking about the “Wild Pitch” mix. And when they delivered the package, it contained two mixes, the aforementioned “Wild Pitch” and the “Give Thanks” mixes. Two for the price of one!!
At the same time Jo loved the concept as did Ashley Beedle and Darren Morris and they said straight away that they ideas for a No’West version. To be honest myself and Stu both don’t like receiving loads of remixes in a release but to have such heavyweights like Ash, Jo and Darren so enthusiastic it was a no-brainer and a real honour.
YATM: So, how did you feel about the X-Press-2 remix being largely instrumental?
DTD: Now having heard the complete package, I don’t know as I see them as remixes, more a concept. We always knew we wanted a club version that was danceable. I think that each version stands on its own very well with myself and Stu’s vison running throughout in some shape of form, so the answer is - I love it.
YATM: How did you come to know Carmy Love? Why do you think she was the right choice as the vocalist?
DTD: I first met Carmy about 10 years ago, her along with Emma Noble were singing with a band called New Street Adventure that I followed.
We became friends and I put the band on in a venue I was promoting at locally to me. We often spoke about music and ideas.
When it came to the track Carmy was an obvious choice as I’d been working on other tracks with her and knew her voice inside out, she sings with The Gospel House Choir and I knew she would deliver what we were looking for.
ATM: Talking of singers ( Emma Noble), how did the JazzCazz track come about with her?DTD: There’s a great story with Jazzcazz. Emma DJs as well as being an amazing vocalist. Whenever I get the chance, I always go and watch her DJ with her partner in crime Sophie Heath (Noble & Heath).
Emma’s signature tune has been for a fair while, Cassanova – Coffee
It became a standing joke I would say “Have you played it yet” and she would say” No I was waiting for you to get here!” One night I was gigging, and I came away from the venue and heard a jazz track and I thought, I can make Casanova into a jazzy version.
At first it was a bit tongue in cheek, I was going to do a remix and just send it to Emma for her to play out. Within a couple of hours after getting home I had ripped the original vocals and but some beats and some jazz samples down and it sounded great, the coffee version is 128 bpm, and I was pitching down to 100 bpm, but it just worked. So, I sent it to Emma, and she came straight back and said she loved it and who was it?? I told her the story and from then we decided to make it a full on cover. I had been doing some other stuff with Ronnie Turner, and he also agreed it could be a great track, so we ended up making “Jazzcazz” together.
(See 'JazzCazz' review HERE)
YATM: Must admit, I didn't know there was an original before the Coffee disco version. Did you?
DTD: Haha no I must admit, you never stop learning! I was playing out at one of Stu’s events in Amor Andalusia and Alan Arscott gave me a history lesson.. well he is so much older than I am I guess he is gonna know more than me!
YATM: You and me both and similarly, There's lots of old photos in that cover art montage. Some of them are instantly recognisable like Carl Cox, Jimpster, X-Press-2 themselves, Luke Una. Talk to us about Chris Long (The Rhythm Doctor) and his place in UK House history for those that don’t know him?
DTD: I think like a lot of the pioneers of the scene, Chris came through like myself and others that are of a certain age through Punk, Reggae, Jazz-funk etc and being a true lover of music, he embraced House. I think when you are open minded and have an eclectic taste to draw from it always makes for a great DJ and or performer. Chris’s extensive career spans so much. It surprises me why he isn’t a househo name.
YATM: And Phil Asher, tell us a little about your homage to Phil in your cover artwork.
DTD: In the track it’s the part that truly gives me goosebumps …“Never foretting those fallen house heroes”.
It shines light on life, those like Phil that have passed gave so much love and happiness through music and there is so much hate in the world, if only people could just take a step back and be kind.
Our friend Zaf from Love Vinyl does a yearly “Phil Asher” day at the shop and although I never met Phil, I feel the love from those that knew him well. It was important to “Give thanks” especially to those that are no longer with us and keep their legacy going.
YATM: Pick a couple of UK House icons off your cover – who you feel have been instrumental in sharing the UK scene - and tell us why you respect
them so much.
DTD:
Blimey that’s like picking your favourite record! Norman for me has given so much, not only to the house scene but to music in general. I have always looked up to him and I ain’t gonna lie, he’s a fellow yid so he always gets my vote as a champ xColin Faver worked in a record shop I went to in Walthamstow called “Small Wonder” which had a label attached to it, so picking another “Homey” here! Again I always think the ones that cross musical boundaries and have influence on it shows great aptitude. This record shop was a great place to go, it was a true wonder, with brilliant diversity I think Colin was the epitome.
And I have to say Stuart Patterson, that’s why I choose him to tell his story because he has lived it, he has made parties that have been instrumental to the scene over the years and moreover he still doing it along with Terry Farley and Dave Jarvis who continue to put on “Faith Parties”. I go out a lot and the “Faith” do’s are the best around now for me, they always get top draw venues and great quality sound which so many fall down on for me. There is good diversity in the crowd and the DJs are again are always a fantastic blend of established and up and coming talent.
Note: for more info on Small Wonder Records, label and shop - see HERE.
YATM: Have you got any launch party planned for the full release?
DTD: I’d go to the opening of an envelope! So I’d like to think so. I love the BBE Store so would love to do one there. But nothing definite at the moment.
YATM: Is there anything else we need to know about you?
DTD: I’m a Capricorn, my inside leg is 32”, my favourite colours are Blue & White. And my favourite food is kebab… because it’s open late at night.
Most importantly whilst I have this opportunity, I would like to shine some light on mental health which I have, like many, struggled with through my life and want to take any chance I have to give it exposure.
I have a “One off” picture cover of the vinyl, and me and Trace the Ace are going to go round the country in our campervan to get every DJ mentioned on the track to sign it which is 90 (I think) then once complete we are going to auction it and all proceeds will go to..
“TONIC_MUSIC FOR MENTAL HEALTH”
They are an amazing charity and I urge everyone reading this whether you struggle or not to look at their website. They do such good work.
https://www.tonicmusic.co.uk/
YATM: Are we likely to see some more music from you and Faith’s Stuart Patterson?
DTD: Yes indeed we are currently working with a very talented rapper from New York called Deevoenay we are working on a Hip House track.
Hopefully out in the summer.
YATM: By coincidence, we know Deevoenay from the Medlar LP (see review HERE) but to end on, any predictions for Spurs vs Man U final in Europe?
DTD: I think it will be an historic game for football… they are both so shite they will both lose! COYS..
As Dan & I went onto discuss the minutiae of what's happened to Walthamstow Market, the Rose & Crown in Hoe Street, The Royal Standard at Black Horse Road, open topped bus parades in Tottenham High St should they win their first cup in 19 years (Ed. lucky the tape ran out) it's a good point to stop and remind ourselves:
"We've got House music, We've got love".
"Here comes trouble" and it's original soul boy Joseph Malik's 'Trouble With A Capital 'T'''; and that's a really big 'T' !
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