KWAME KWATEN - D'INFLUENCE

Interview 18 March 2002

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Dome Dome Records

Thought we'd start with the D'vas album, a couple of cuts on there > kicking up a storm right now. Tell me about the concept and what were you trying to achieve.

....well the concept was simple. in England there are not many collaboration albums and this was a chance to do one centred around the term diva. A lot of people are asking whether we will take this on the
road, maybe. who knows but for now we are just proud to have achieved this album.

There are so many D'vas - how long did it all take. How did you select - I know some of the girls you have worked with before and some go back a long way.

d-influence albums are never short affairs they always start out wanting to be though. this album really took about a year to do and there was no real selection process other than you having to be able to cut it and have that x factor.( so I suppose there was a selection process!!)

Is there anybody that you would like to have included but didn't or couldn't.

caron wheeler .chaka khan nelly furtado.

Diva is getting to be an overused term - what do you see as a diva

..honestly a diva is a great singer . natural poser..occasional wobbly thrower..unpredectable kinda extraordinary gal!

Maybe a volume 2?
.... yep

Are you happy with the outcome? Certainly some dance floor reaction out there.
...overjoyed. to be honest nice to know people are still feelin the grooves!

With such a concept is there any way you can take this on the road, and if so do you intend to.

...there is talk...headache heartache leading to an eventual gig or two.!!

I note that on almost every track the D'va is credited with vocal arrangements. What kind of freedoms did you give to the girls in production.

...we were jus kinda natural with them.you know we prefer more input rather than less .that way you get full love on the track. remember you cant tell a diva what to do.

What did Dome offer you that maybe you hadn't been given before - the product seems to fit quite nicely into 'their' culture.
... its just as you said there is a culture for this sort of music and unless you understand it it becomes hard to fight for it. so dome do fight for their acts.hard.thats why this album is with them . also major label =major headache!!..understandably they need lots of cash..we are a niche band that happens from time to time to produce a million seller . we are still a niche band though.(headacheless)

What's happening in the future, either to promote this or beyond.
....loads of production new talent to be found etc..thats what we like.

Is there anybody on here that maybe you'd like to do a complete album with.

...yeah belle deed probably all of them...
Moving back there have been three other albums - I've made a few brief comments. Is there anything you would like to add about the evolution of D'influence.
..we just get on with things really...and the way we do it is the only way we know how ..head down do now worry later always look ahead dont expect anyone to like it that way you just do what you want.and all
is bonus.. if u get my drift..

Good 4 We in 1992 - How successful was this first album. It strikes me that on all the albums there is very much a 'band' and you came up through the acid jazz thing.
....yeah the band thing is always there. I guess we just love the band sound. However I would just like to say that d-influence as a production outfit has always changed and I'm sure we wont ever stop changing....good 4 we was very successful and took us by complete surprise..
Prayer 4 Unity 1995 - Another funky housey jazzy thing with some nice cuts like "Midnite,"and "Waiting."
London in 1997 - A few different directions on here like rap, gospel, and salsa.

Tell me about some of the people you've worked with or remixed. 've picked out a few but please add anything that has given you a great deal of pleasure or have particularly influenced you in any way.
...ladysmith black mambazo...tom lones on reload ..mick jagger.. dru hill ...ultra nate ...shola ama new album...femi kuti Beverly knight on new album.. damage.. etc love em all

A couple I like are Charlotte (Someday) and Deni Hines (It's alright) are yours - yes - another couple of divas you could maybe have included. Oh and Karen Ramirez also.
....ramirez is a great singer....hmmmm maybe..

What about Lady smith Black Mambazo - awesome vocal wizardry - that must've been different.
...they are great guys very spiritual..make you cry in the studio

Of course I suppose the 'biggie' was Mark Morrison. And Seal, another great talent.
....nah seal was big ..tom jones massive..but mark was the start point from which we got the other jobs i. i hope the Mack returns..
Maxi Priest, also a great voice, but different style.
.....well you have them all!!..

Any one else who you'd like to work with or have something coming up with - Exclusively!!!!!!

.. jason jermaine new kid kinda genius..plays sings the lot a bit
frightening..really new shola album etc

D'influence is now just Kwame and Steve, is that right. Or have I got that wrong because the four of you are still 'together'
.. were just recording stuff with sarah but i guess me and steve are
still fronting it ..
And, of course, Ed and indeed Sarah Anne Webb go back to the beginning but are still there to assist. Just realised - 10 years! How does it all fit together. Tell me about some of the individual things you might have going on.
... sarah is doing solo stuff..ed is studying.. me and steve are in
this now and forever I guess.

Shola's first album was on your own label. What's happening there.

. she has a new release coming out on the new d-influence label...its kinda good..features danny k jason jermaine ignorantz etc