Mr. G im Interview

Colin McBean aka Mr. G has contributed to the development of the british techno and house scene for two decades. Both as a dj and producer. He was part of the KCC dj-team alongside Keith Franklin of Bang The Party in the late 80s and his his techno outfit The Advent, which he started with Cisco Ferreira in the early 90s, made him one of the main figures of british techno. Or hard funk, how Mr. G likes to call it. In 1999 he left The Advent. Since then he has been releasing countless 12″s on his own labels Phoenix G and Oproof, before eventually signing to Rekids, where his solo debut-album “Still Here” was released a few weeks ago. We’ve got in touch with him via email to talk about his album and his love of deep and rude bass.

You grew up on Studio 1 roots reggae and dub. Was it a big leap for you to get from Toots & The Maytals to Jeff Mills?

No not such a big leap as the anologue is the common link with each sound …..and that my passion, the low-end and the space inbetween.

You have released countless eps under your own name. Why did you wait so long with a solo-album?

Never wanted to or trusted anyone enough to want to see whats inside me album wise. Hooking up with Matt was great as he wears his heart and love of music on his sleeve … and i could see Rekids do things right.

Your album is called “Still Here”. What led you to chose this title? Is it a statement more directed towards the people out there or more towards yourself?

No it’s some thing i have always said to folk when they see me after a long time! “What you up to still in music” and i end up saying yeah “STILL HERE”. Also i’ve been through some heavy illness and give thanx i’m STILL HERE!

In an interview with RA you stress the fact that for a while you were trying to achieve a digital sound in your analog studio. These days “raw” and “gritty” are the sound qualities a lot of producers strife for. Has the house and techno sound come full circle again? And do you feel more at home with the scene right now, then, three or four years ago?

Ohh yeah for sure i feel really happy around whats going on and feel i too can enter the musical arena … and kick some ass!

How did you get in contact with Matt Radio Slave in the first place? You were one of the very first artists on the label.

I’ve known Matt for years when he was the edit king. heehee. And i remember texting him saying you’ll be a star one day don’t forget me. And that’s what happened he didn’t forget me and has always been a fan of what i do as i am a great fan of what he does. Also I think Rekids is a great place for me because as an artist I sit alone from the rest and do what I do and love the fact they let me be just that, different.

You have been in the business for such a long time. What were the crucial moments for you. The events that influenced your direction and path the most during your career?

No magic moment just a great love of music. My path just happened, I believe what will be will be. I think that I aways knew that I had to have my own sound and work very hard to capture just that and that one sunny day folk would know about Mr G. I think it’s working …no?

In the “philosophy” section of your website you talk about these “flip-the-script” moments that you say most of your tracks have. Can you elaborate on that aspect of your music?

Yeah, hopefully with my tracks you could never predict what’s gonna happen just by hearing the start. I try and flip ya bring ya in one door and take you out another. Yeah, and that’s the moment, when you get hit with something you didn’t expect. Sometimes it happens some time it don’t but I will get ya,.

You said that a rude bassline is the most important thing for you. Can you remember being blown away by the physical power of a bassline for the first time?

A reggae sound system at a wedding in my local comunitty centre, playing some thing like “No No No”. What a bass line! Dawn Penn never sounded sooo great. I can still hear it now and get goose bumps. Check it out for yourself?!

What’s coming next?

I will just keep working hard to spread the hard funk. And keep the quality high as ever and go back and tour Japan again next year. There are new singles coming and more remixes “It’s just what I do and I love it, that’s why I’m “STILL HERE”

Auch gut:

1. Crowdpleaser im Interview
2. Loleatta Holloway im Interview
3. Mr. K. Alexi Shelby im Interview
4. Rick Wilhite Audio-Interview
5. Modern Loves Miles im Interview