News

In Conversation: Tiga Talks New Jack Techno

The new jack swing style of music was a fusion genre spearheaded by Teddy Riley back in the early 90s. It was basically a rich gloop of R&B vocals sung over hip hop swing beats made using the current production tools of the time. More importantly, I guess, it stood more for a unification of ideas; a mixture of the old and the new, an updating of a template that a lot of people would recognise. Riley himself said, "I define the term as a new kid on the block who's swinging it." And in calling his Turbo label’s latest compilation New Jack Techno, you kind of get the idea that Tiga’s playing more on that flipping expectations concept rather than putting out a compilation of tracks from producers who are heavily reverbing jaunty pianos and underlying classic swing music with 4x4 sandpaper kicks. The compilation definitely hits on something very current though. There’s been a real veering towards the techno type of machinist rhythms in the UK underground of late as producer’s have been looking backwards as much as forwards for inspiration. A lot of the newfound interest in these types of laid bare, oppressive four to the floor seems to be coming from people who are congealing around a long toted club culture that isn’t as so reliant on storming drops and overly frantic basslines as a lot of dubstep is. It’s both a reaction to it and a maturing away from it, but for Tiga, leaning on techno records is more of a return to the music he grew up loving. In conversation the Canadian producer is pretty refreshingly honest and open about his inability to make music that does the techno art form justice but it’s obvious that the sound is something he’s long been obsessed with on a deeper level. Whilst his label and artist name might’ve become associated with a more electro driven sound, the New Jack Techno compilation nails his balls to the mast more directly with him giving voice to a group of producers (that includes fellow countrymen Gingy & Bordello and Nautiluss) making music that excites the record collector and anorak inside of him. It’s that side of his career that he’ll be indulging when Tiga returns to Farringdon next month when he presents sets from Duke Dumont, Gingy & Bordello, Sei A and Matt Walsh under the New Jack Techno banner in Room One. Ahead of the event, and the release of his new mix album Tiga Non Stop in November, we caught up with Tiga between tour stops, to discuss his change in tactic and his thinking behind it… You just released New Jack Techno, a compilation of predominantly UK sounds. What is about this new breed of techno that appeals to you? And does the title mean something different to you or is it just a play on words? I guess I'm just finding more and more great techno records that inspire and excite me, and they happen to be coming mostly from the UK, and from a new generation (or at least new to me) of producers. I'm not going to try and dissect it, or play up some dubstep angle that I don't entirely understand, but the net result is producers in the UK making much more adventurous and uncompromising techno that also sounds new. That’s the critical difference. It’s not like they are making records that sound like a ‘93 record. It reminds me a bit of when I was into Bicknell, Regis, Space DJz, Blueprint etc.... it's just very creative and effective. In my humble opinion a record like Blawan's ‘Why they Hide...’ or ‘6 to 6 lick’ is hands down the most interesting techno I have heard in years. As for the title: well, comps need titles don't they? What was it that made you want to shake up people’s expectations of the kind of music Turbo release with such stripped back techno? It wasn't deliberate; more just that we always loved techno and suddenly had enough quality stuff to release. I had been conscious of trying to get away from some of the more banging electro themed club stuff which did start out interesting, but seemed to just get more and more annoying. I stand by almost every record we ever put out, even if the fashions have changed, but in the shadow of the past few years of electro-contamination of everything, it definitely felt liberating to get back to some good techno. In fairness, I have always been all over the place stylistically: Chromeo, Azari, Proxy, Jesper Dahlback, etc etc.....so it doesn't feel so radical to me. Is this the type of sound you are making at the moment? As a producer? No. I have tried many times over many years to make techno and I simply can’t. It's the music I think I understand the best. The music I truly lived and breathed for over 15 years... but in the studio I just can't: I don't think I have the patience: my tracks have techno in their DNA somewhere but they end up being sacrificed at the altar of my ‘big’ ideas (read: vocals, hooks, samples etc). I wish I could but I can't. Techno producers of the world, consider yourself fortunate. Where did you go to find the artists? Did you have an idea of who you wanted to include or did the tracks just come to you? My brother Thomas (aka Thomas Von Party) has really taken over the reins on the A&R front, and this comp is really a lot to do with him and the relationships he has developed with artists. We usually get a foot in the door because of my rep or profile (though probably sometimes don’t get in the door for the same reason), and then my brother lovingly emails and prods and helps until we have the goods. In today’s almost cash-less label world, and even cash-less-less vinyl realm, artists appreciate the contact they get, the input and the care. We really pay attention to artwork, and track orders and details. It also helped that several of the artists are Canadian, which feels good. You’re bringing the idea to Room One on a Friday night… How do you plan on it going? How did you select the guys you’ve got playing? I think it’s going to be amazing. I'm very excited to be coming as a crew, to be able to curate, after so many solo appearances over the years. Obviously we would love to have everybody; but it's not possible. We have Duke Dumont, who is having all kinds of success off a string of pretty massive records – it’s definitely the right time for him. Sei A is finally getting the full credit he deserves as a ridiculously talented footballer, sorry, I meant producer. Seriously he is incredible; he can make anything he wants, he’s spoiled with talent. The Commonwealth is represented by Gingy and Bordello: one is an ex-Turbo intern; they probably best represent our New Jack Techno sound. They’re friends who have grown up with Turbo, and are now spreading their wings and just getting better and better. We round it off with long time OG London Turbo man, Matt Walsh, who is also in top form, going from strength to strength with his production and label.... I hope they are all ready to play hard, cause I'm bringing my serious shit and leaving ‘You Gonna Want Me’ at home. That's a threat and a promise. Catch Tiga bring New Jack Techno to Room One on Friday 9th November. Tickets & info here. Photo: Femme de $arkozy
Tags
No items found.