Over the last few years while I’ve been producing the One Phat DJ Podcast, I’ve been fortunate enough to find some great friends in featured artists, DJs and producers. If you’ve ever got to read through the comments for the podcast, some familiar names might crop up now and then too. One such act that have been heavily featured over recent years are an act who go by the name of The Bassmonkeys. Not one to shy away from an opportunity to promote one of my favourite acts, I managed to get some time with the boys for a quick interview…

1. Si
   

   To start off, tell us a bit about how you three met.

2. Dale
   

   Danny was DJing in a club in Norwich and I was a regular punter. We started chatting and instantly clicked. I promised to give him a call to do some studio time together but never did (sorry Danny!). About three years later, I bumped into him in WH Smiths reading the same music mags as myself. We started chatting again and arranged, once again, to make some tunes together. Again it never happened! (sorry Danny again!) Then a year or two later, fate brought us together once more and we realised we were obviously destined to work together - and now we do! Mike and Danny have known each other for yonks – Mike is Danny’s DJing partner so it was a natural step to bring Mike into the “Monkey’s Den”.

3. Si
   

   What got you all in to house music production and DJing? Is there anyone who inspires you?

4. Dale
   

   When I was younger, I was a bit of a nerd and used to like making my own computer games. I did the programming, graphics and music. It didn’t take me long to realise that the music was my favourite part so I eventually stopped programming all together and just spent my time making tunes! I used a tracker program on the Amiga computer called ‘Med’. My music style is inspired by the early 90s piano house, the trance scene of the later 90s and now the funky house and electro scenes. My favourite artists at the moment are Axwell, Freemasons, Ian Carey, Shapeshifters and Steve Angello.

5. Mike
   

   I first got into house music through listening to Mr. Tong on Radio 1’s Essential Selection, and taught myself to mix on some really dodgy cheapo decks. I managed to blag a gig in 1994 at some illegal do, and from that got myself a weekly residency in the house club in Norwich, Manhattans, playing alongside such guests as Judge Jules, Boy George, Sonique, Brothers In Rhythm etc…

6. Si
   

   You also produce under the name of “Liquid Nation“ which tends to have a “tougher“ sound to the Bassmonkeys. Is it safe to say you have a diverse taste in music?

7. Dale
   

   All three of us love dance music but all prefer slightly different shades of it. I prefer the commercial side, Danny the “true” funky stuff and Mike the slightly tougher electronic sounds. Our tracks and DJ sets are a blend of all those aspects, some tracks leaning further one way than the other. We just create what we like and what takes our fancy at the time! We’ve got different aliases for other peoples benefit really, rather than our own.

8. Si
   

   So, last year was quite a busy year for you - what was your personal highlight?

9. Dale
   

   Getting to Number 1 in the UK Dance Charts with our Soulshaker friends, the Fierce Angels gig at the Egg London was a top night out and our DJ set at Skegness’ “Big Reunion” was good fun! The year was jam packed with small but significant highlights.

10. Mike
    

    Playing at “Big Reunion” and hearing “The Answer” on Kiss and Radio 1 (Woo!)

11. Si
    

    The Bassmonkeys were also taken under the wing of Fierce Angels last year. What’s it like working with the team and Mark Doyle?

12. Dale
    

    One word to sum up Mark Doyle…. LEGEND. We love him!

13. Si
    

    Your massive track “The Answer“ with Naomi Marsh (one of my personal favourites) has been doing the circuits for nearly two years now but there is still no official release. Any idea when we can expect to see it on the shelves?

14. Mark Doyle (intercepting)
    

    [We're] actually just in the midst of putting this album [Fierce Disco 2] to bed and, afterwards, we’ll sort out a release date… possibly with bonus track “Here’s Where The Story Ends“.

15. Si
    

    Are there any artists or producers you’d love to work with?

16. Dale
    

    [I] would love to work with Axwell or Freemasons - they are the producers who I would most like to steal their tricks and techniques from! (laughs)

17. Mike
    

    Freemasons, Moto Blanco, Hott 22, Vandalism!

18. Si
    

    What are your plans for the rest of the year? Are you touring in the Summer?

19. Dale
    

    No tour planned, although we’re hoping to get out to a few places warm this year. For the moment, it is just heads down in the studio.

20. Si
    

    Finally, have you got any exclusive news you can share with us?

21. Dale
    

    I’m sure there must be something… hmmmm… no, sorry - can not think of anything!

You can support the Bassmonkeys by downloading their music from legal MP3 download stores like DJ Download, Traxsource and Beatport or even get the new Fierce Disco 2 compilation from Fierce Angels which features their latest collaboration with Naomi Marsh “Here’s Where The Story Ends” and their funky remixes of Tony Moran’s “Work It Out” and The Allstars Collective “All About The Music“.

Last week, I was banging on about the new face of Fierce Angel and the celebratory party to coincide with the relaunch. You may have also noticed a “little” mention of the associated album release too. Well, come Monday 18th February, that album will be on the shelves and available in all it’s glory.

It’s time for the release of “A Little Fierce II“.

Classed as a “sampler”, this astonishing collection includes 15 of Mark Doyle’s favoured fierce house anthems from the last year, as well as some new tracks to expect to hear throughout 2008.

The album includes some monster tracks that I have already put the One Phat Approval on, including the Wideboy’s “Bomb The Secret” (featured in the Best Of 2007, Pt 2 - Crescendo), “Love Is The Music” from FR & Jenny (featured in Inevitably Vocal), the Bassmonkey’s remix of Bonnie Bailey’s “Kingdom Of Pretty” (also in Inevitably Vocal) and “Rush On Me” by Eighteen and Stephanie Mills (featured in Two Be In Love).

That’s just four of them so you can imagine the quality to expect from the remaining tracks…

1. Wamdue Project - Forgiveness (Suite I & II)
2. Bonnie Bailey - Kingdom Of Pretty (Bassmonkeys Mix)
3. Loveshy - AM To PM (Wideboys Club Mix)
4. Eighteen ft Stephanie Mills - Rush On Me (Moto Blanco Mix)
5. Audio-fraud ft Peyton - Ride Like The Wind (Moto Blanco Mix)
6. Marco Denmark ft Casey Barnes - Tiny Dancer (Moto Blanco Mix)
7. Cahill ft Nikki Belle - Trippin’ On You (Extended Mix)
8. Robbie Rivera - One Eye Shut (E-Squire Mix)
9. Mike Di Scala - Turn My Life Around (Original Mix)
10. Ian Oliver ft Shantel - Bucovina (Clubovina Mix)
11. R.I.O. - De Janeiro (Piano Mix)
12. Elek-tro Junkies - Don’t Hold Back On Me (12″ Mix)
13. Wideboys ft Clare Evers - Bomb The Secret (Meck Remix)
14. Milk & Sugar pres MS2 - Stay Around (Club Mix)
15. FR ft Jenny - Love Is The Music (Gospel Mix)

A brief look over those tracks certainly seem to have a bit of a biased towards the likes of Miki Moto, Bobby Blanco and the Wideboys. This just goes to show what a busy year they had in 2007 and the quality they were producing. Some might argue quantity does not necessarily equal quality but, in my opinion, these guys have certainly found their sounds and made sure they have got that across in all their productions. If it’s a winning formula, why change it? I, for one, won’t be complaining if they keep tracks like these coming in 2008!

Fierce Angel samplers have a tendency to only appear on the shelves of limited record shops so if you’re out and about, be sure to head towards the larger superstores like HMV and Zavvi. Alternatively, you could just order a copy from an online store such as Amazon (International or UK), Play, HMV, Zavvi or Juno. For just £4.99 (about $10USD at today’s exchange rate), you’re getting a great deal out of your pennies.

Go! Buy… and be a little fierce too.

Last week, Fierce Angel released their 9th official compilation in the series - Digital Angel 2007. Following the success of last year’s download only release, the latest offering has changed its direction slightly but that’s not to detract from the fact it is still a perfect follow up to this Summer’s Beach Angel 2007.

Not only has Digital Angel 2007 actually got a full CD release, the music has taken direction similar to that of the third release, Fierce Angel, which focussed on the “harder”, more “twisted” side of house music. The name change seems like a natural move to avoid confusion probably thrown up around the difference between the brand name and the album name. Digital Angel now joins the other appropriate and firmly established sub-brands of Fierce Angel alongside One Phat DJ favourite Fierce Disco, the relaxed approach of Beach Angel & Angel’s Fall and the mixed blessings of Es Vive Ibiza to complete the family of styles.

As with most Fierce Angel releases, there is a real mix of material divided up nicely among all three CDs. As well as some exclusive brand new material, there are also some old favourites as well as some awesome remixes of classics. My particular highlights include the return of Tim Deluxe teaming up with Sam Obernik with “You Got Tha Touch”, Freeform 5’s “No More Conversations”, Jack Rokka vs Betty Boo’s “Take Off” (you’ve still got it Betty!) and the Freemasons‘ “Uninvited” is slowly growing on me. On top of these, it wouldn’t be a Fierce Angel compilation without the addition of Angel regulars Bonnie Bailey, the Bassmonkeys and Eric Kupper - what more could you ask for?

While I tend to linger around the more disco-fuelled sounds of house music, this is still a great compilation to have handy in your collection. All the tracks are full 12″ versions so its perfect for all you DJs out there and also great for adding to your iPod Party/Shuffle mode.

Fierce Angel releases come like buses - you wait a few months for nothing then three come at once. No sooner have I sorted out a review of Es Vive Ibiza 2007 (even if it was a little delayed) that the next huge release from the label is due.

The follow up to last year’s Beach Angel is released on Monday 20th August 2007, filled with 33 DJ friendly unmixed funky house tracks to prolong the Summer and take us into the last few months of 2007.

Just so you know what to expect, I’ve managed to get hold of the track listings for the compilation.

Disc 1

1. Kwame Drevon & Frankie Boissey - “Everybody Wants To Rule The World”
2. Clique ft Robina - “Reasons” (EK’S Angelic 12″)
3. Wamdue Project ft Heather Johnson - “Washes Over Me” (Wamdue Main Mix)
4. Fac15 ft Cathi O - “Twisted By The Pool” (Beach Angel ‘07 12″)
5. Miguel Migs - “So Far” (Album Mix)
6. Latrice Barnet - “Illuminate” (Original 12″ Mix)
7. Jephete Guillame pres AK - “Shining Your Way” (Shining Main Vocal)
8. Ananda Project - “Universal Love” (Jay J’s Shifted Up Mix)
9. Danny Campbell - “Answer My Prayer” (Candy Apple Mix)
10. Peyton - “Holiday” (EK’s Getaway 12″)
11. Kaskade - “Never Ending” (Extended Mix)

Disc 2

1. Wamdue Project - “Forgiveness” (Beach Angel ‘07 Mix)
2. Bonnie Bailey - “Safe” (Eric Kupper 2007 Remix)
3. Samantha James - “Rise” (Eric Kupper Mix)
4. Belle - “Surfacing” (Rize & 7th Heaven Remix)
5. Freemasons - “Pacific” (12″ Mix)
6. Eighteen ft Stephanie Mills - “(You’re Putting ) A Rush On Me”
7. Cerrone vs Sweet Connection - “Misunderstanding” (Original Club Mix)
8. James Kakande - “You You You” (Alex Gaudino & Jerma Mix)
9. Albert Cabrera ft Alex Cartana - “Dig The Vibes” (Original)
10. Locktown ft Alexandra Prince - “Alive” (12″ Original Mix)
11. Bassmonkeys ft Naomi Marsh - “The Answer” (Eric Kupper Mix)

Disc 3

1. Negrocan - “Cada Vez” (Grant Nelson Vocal)
2. Dubtribe Soundsystem - “Do It Now” (Knee Deep Club Mix)
3. Masters At Work pres India - “To Be In Love” (Knee Deep Re-Edit)
4. Junior Jack - “E Samba” (Rasmus Faber’s Cancao De Nega Mix)
5. Etherfox - “The Whirled You Live” (Sixty Six Mix)
6. Rasmus Faber ft Emily McEwan - “Ever After” (Rasmus Faber Main Mix)
7. Armand Van Helden presents - “Everytime I Feel It” (Richard Grey Mix)
8. Salome De Bahia - “Outro Lugar” (Cutee B & Julian Jabre Mix)
9. Mambana - “Libre” (Axwell Vocal Mix)
10. Gadjo ft Alexandra Prince - “So Many Times” (Original 12″ Mix)
11. Afro Medusa - “Pasilda” (Original 12″ Mix)

The album should be in all good record stores next Monday or you could try and beat the rush (and save a few quid) by ordering online at Amazon, Amazon UK, Play or HMV.