Interview with the king of dancefloor - John Morales
Journalist: Hey John, where in the world are you today?
John: Hi guys! Today I am home working on some new mixes. I just did a great gig in Washington DC at the Eighteen Street Lounge; if you’re ever in DC it’s a must on your list of places to go.
Journalist: A wonderful new release from you...'Club Motown'…a 2 CD set of Motown 12” mixes featuring the likes of Diana Ross, The Temptations and Lionel Richie. How did this genius project come about?
John: This compilation has been in the works for nearly 25 years, it was always a dream to make a compilation of some of the early M+M Mixes, as well as adding some of the new stuff. With the help and hard work of Johnny Chandler, Harry Weinger and Joe Howard this dream and vision has finally become a reality.
Journalist: The release is a certified slice of dance floor history; a superb selection of records that continue to rock parties and inspire new generations. What tracks just HAD to be on Club Motown…and what do they mean to you…?
John: The Club Motown idea came from a concept I originally developed which was called Motown 80’s focusing on mostly the Motown’s contribution to the Dance Floor in the 80’s in the form of 12” releases. Every track has contributed in some way to the music of the 80’s whether it be commercial or club success, it’s focus is again Motown’s Contribution to the dancefloor…
Dennis Edwards featuring Siedah Garrett – ‘Don’t Look any Further’
Michael Lovesmith – ‘Ain't Nothing Like It’
Mary Jane Girls – ‘In My House’
The Temptations ft. Rick James – ‘Standing On The Top’
Lionel Richie – ‘All Night Long (All Night)’
VANITY – ‘Under The Influence’
Debarge – ‘Rhythm Of The Night’
Phyllis St James – ‘Candlelight Afternoon’
Bobby Nunn – ‘Don't Knock It (Until You Try It)’
Jermaine Jackson – ‘Let's Get Serious’
The Temptations – ‘Treat Her Like a Lady’
Rockwell – ‘Somebody's Watching Me’
Rick James – ‘Super Freak’
Stacy Lattisaw – ‘Jump Into My Life’
Teena Marie – ‘I Need Your Loving’
Val Young – ‘If You Should Ever Be Lonely’
Diana Ross – ‘The Boss’
Thelma Houston – ‘Saturday Night, Sunday Morning’
Tata Vega – ‘Get It Up For Love’
Journalist: The collection was given a deft re-mastering at the world famous Abbey Road Studios – What was that experience like?
John: It was very exciting not only to have Abbey Road put it’s magical touch on it, but to be a part of the process, it was a great experience.
Journalist: Club Motown is preceded by ‘John Morales Presents : Motown Divas’ - a double pack 12” vinyl which features highly-coveted previously unreleased mixes including Teena Marie’s ‘I Need Your Lovin’. This was formerly released in edited form on a promotional flexi-disc generating all sorts of excitement within the Motown and dance community. Talk us through this package of aural delights…
John: In 2009 I had the honor of mixing one of my all-time favorite Teena Marie’s songs ‘I Need Your Loving’. In 2013 Motown released Teena’s last album ‘Beautiful’ and as a promotional tool they gave away a red flexi-disc which is rare now and on it they used an edited version of my mix. When we were putting together the project it was the perfect track to do the 12” Vinyl release from. We also included another of my top tracks - Tata Vega’s ‘Get It Up for Love’ - it is perfect for Motown’s 1st commercial 12” release in close to 20 years and I’m very excited about it.
Journalist: What is the current top 10 you are spinning?
John: I spin a mix of disco, boogie and soulful-house tunes; in no particular order…
Tata Vega – ‘Get It Up For Love’
Teena Marie – ‘I Need Your lovin’’
Colors – ‘Am I Gonna Be The One’
Conquest – ‘Give It To ME If You Don’t Mind’
Zo! Feast Erro & Phonte – ‘We are On The Move (Joey Negro Mix)’
Spen feat. Marc Evans – ‘Supernatural’
Gil Scott Heron – ‘Three Miles Down’
Brainstorm – ‘Lovin’ Is Really My Game’
Slave – ‘Just A Touch’
Thelma Houston – ‘Saturday Night Sunday Morning’
Journalist: A quote from one of America’s leading music journalists this week; “Without question, John Morales is one of the top five mixers in dance history”. What are your thoughts on that little comment…and who are some of the names that YOU would put in that category?
John: This is a tough one because we have the old school and new school producers that I like, so I’ll try to divide them. As for the old guard; my good friend Tom Moulton would be on top of the list and he is still going strong, along with people like Walter Gibbons, Larry Levan and Jim Burgess - who’s legacies speak for themselves. Hopefully one day my work will stand on it’s own. As for new school producers; Kenny Dope, DJ Spen, Joey Negro, Karizma and Dimitri from Paris are people whose work I appreciate and play out often. There are many new school producers who are on their game and up and coming when it comes to remixing some of the classics, look out for DJ Kon, and The Reflex - they are two of my favorites.
Journalist: I live on the island of Ibiza, brilliant news that you will be doing a special residency at the fabulous Cala Bassa Beach Club every Saturday. Dude – this has to be one of the best DJ booths in the world right?
John: Oh, as you have been to the Cala Bassa Beach Club then you know it’s an amazing place with spectacular views and great staff. The owners have embraced me and my music and I look forward to playing there and hopefully establishing a long relationship with them and the island; for me, to play Ibiza is a dream come true.
Journalist: Tell us about your summer Ibiza soundtrack you’ll be spinning?
John: I’ll be playing my usual blend of Disco and Soulful House music, with a bit of chill out. I’ll just be playing the vibe of the beach.
Journalist: You are new to the island, what are you feeling…?
John: As this is my first time on the island I’m still learning about it, but being fluent in Spanish has been a big advantage and I look forward to exploring the island and its people.
Journalist: A quote from your Facebook page recently; “Hummm ok why does everything have to be Quantized and 125 BPM oh yea so the DJ can mix it ... ummmm ok.... guess I missed that memo...” Discuss…
John: This is a lengthy conversation. It just seems that many modern day DJs are Quantizing tracks and speeding them up to 125 BPM, many losing the essence of some of the magic in the music and taking the bounce that made them great in the first place. I’m not saying it’s wrong or right, it just doesn’t work for me.
Journalist: Your M&M Productions have over 650 mixes to your name. Ground breaking records for the likes of Tina Turner, the Rolling Stones, Aretha Franklin and Rod Stewart. In your own words, what did the M&M duo bring to the table when taking on a piece of music - what made M&M so darned good?
John: Wish I had the perfect answer to that but that’s a question maybe you can answer J. Before Sergio passed away in 1991 our goal in productions and mixes was to try and make good dance music that was very rhythmic, with lots of percussion loaded with breakdowns. It also had to be DJ friendly. This philosophy continues with me today, and still holds true for all my current work. I’m just glad to still be doing what I love to do.
Journalist: Your proudest recording?
John: Will always be the 1st record I was involved in - Inner Life’s ‘Caught Up In A One Night Love Affair’.
Journalist: What is coming out next from you studio wise?
John: New mixes heading out of the lab are; Ann Nesby, Imagination and Tuxedo.
Journalist: And finally, the current music genre sweeping your home country is EDM. DJs are now charging millions of dollars for residencies and there are festivals in every city every weekend. What is your take on this sound and scene?
John: Some of the EDM works for me, some of it doesn’t. I love good music, if I can find something in it I like, I like it, doesn’t matter what it is. As for the millions of dollars - if anyone wants to throw some at me let me know, the music is ready for your party or festival.
Official website of John Morales - www.johnmoralesmix.com
Interview materials from the website dmcworld.net
Comments