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Emmanuel Interview

interview 0371 added 31.01.06 words: Nikesh technical: QED

From work with the Kaliphz to Jamelia and the Beta Band Colin Emmanuel aka C-Swing is one of the most underrated producers from the UK. But all that is set to change as under his own name he has dropped his production LP which features vocal guest spots from some of the biggest names you can imagine. This LP is set to be a benchmark for others to follow for some time. Check out what he had to say to our top reporter, Nikesh...

Please introduce yourself to the UKHH.com audience.

Hello. I am Colin Emmanuel aka C.Swing. I am a record producer, remixer, songwriter, arranger and musician amongst other things music related. I also like long walks, eating out. I’m looking for someone to share....oops, wrong interview.

Hahaha first thing's first... how did you get the teacher to be on your record?

The KRS joint came about thanks to my friend Dave VeeJay who now works on Choice FM. It was done way back in 1997.

Dave gave me a call one day and asked if I’d be interested in doing a track with KRS1. I thought it was a wind up and almost told him to get lost, but he explained that KRS was coming over to give a couple of talks and expressed an interest in getting in the studio and linking with people while he was over. Dave had put my name forward. He said if I gave him 2 beats on a cassette he’d take it to him and hook it up. So I got the tape to Dave and forgot about it. A few hours later, Dave called back and said “yeah, he likes track 2, get a studio for Saturday”. I still thought it was a wind up, but I booked a studio at The Strongroom’s. I made the start time quite late as I was told he prefers working at night. He arrived around 2am and that’s how it came about.

Was this validation for your skills... having one of the world's best/most original and THE original rapper's rapper on one of your tracks?

I’d say it was the first of many. I’ve been lucky to work with quite a few artists at the top of their game, Sly and Robbie, Beenie Man etc, but this was special for it’s own reasons. I mean he is one of the foundations of hip-hop. I can still remember the first time I heard a KRS1 joint. I can remember trying to program BDP beats. He’s part of my musical make up. So that means a lot. On top of that, the guy warms up by freestyling “Step Into The Light” over my beat (yeah I got it on tape, I almost lost it then) and asks me what’s my name so he can blast it over the track, hook me up and let the people know I’m here. But he doesn’t just ask, he freestyles it while he’s warming up (that’s when I lost it). He threw the track down in one take, making my name the chorus, and then says, “That’s yours, now you gotta do something with it. Use it.” He hung in the studio afterwards for a while. It was myself, James Yarde, Dave Veejay and Sandra Escoffery, all just talking. The whole experience, even the lyrics was just a great gift.

“...KRS1 is more than enough of an intro and I really wanted to keep the vibe focused on the UK and the underdogs...”

It’s a good memory. I guess my attitude to myself did step up a notch after that. Rappers I work with who are aware I’ve worked with KRS and other Stateside MC’s tend to take me a bit more seriously and are open to trying stuff out they wouldn’t normally do.

You're known for working primarily with rnb singers... how much of a change was it to work with rappers like Mystro and Braintax?

Emmanuel To be honest it wasn't big a deal. I can understand from a media point of view that it would appear I've spent a majority of my time working with vocalists mainly doing R&B. But I've also produced "Birofunk" for Braintax's last album and I've known him for a while now as we work in the same building. The same goes for Mystro and I've worked on various things for him including the "Tip of the Mysberg Vol 1" Mixtape. Not to mention Rodney P, Phoebe 1, Slum Village and Rah Digga etc. At the end of the day they're all artists and musicians.

Tell us about the album.

It's my first proper solo album. I've recorded EP's for New Breed records in New York early on in my career but had never thought of doing an album like this and never with the intention of doing it live. I'd lost faith in the music industry, the whole "URBAN' thing was really winding me up and I was thinking about quitting. Various friends and colleagues convinced me that before quitting I should at least do my own thing. Do my own album exactly the way I wanted it. That way I'd have no regrets because at least I would have something that truly represented me and an aspect of what I can do musically. The thing is working with major labels you are always having to compromise either with the artist or the label to get the job done, the end results not always being what you wanted. So the album was my way of dealing with that.

So I've tried to make a good old fashioned album, not concentrating on singles just a musical journey. I wanted to have the same vibe that I had when my Dad played "Songs in the Key of Life" or other classic albums like that. I've covered a few styles like Latin and jazz etc, but tried to put a twist on some tracks and come from a different angle. It's too soulful in my opinion to be an urban album. This is a black album and I'm very proud of it. I did it for myself and my crew. I'm no vocalist so I have vocal contributions coming from Michelle and Sandra Escoffery, Braintax, Mystro, Terri Walker, Daniel DaBourg, Sammy Jay, Belle, KRS1. And then music wise on certain tracks you'll find the talents of James and Jason Yarde, Chris Jerome and Eric Appapoulay.

“...It's too soulful in my opinion to be an urban album. This is a black album and I'm very proud of it...”

How did you get into producing?

Well once I knew I wanted to do music, I wasn't really sure what angle I wanted to take. I didn't want to do the artist thing, doing a group came to mind, but I didn't really know a lot about the industry. Then by chance I saw the Whitney Houston video for "Saving all my love" and my Dad pointed out the guy she falls for in the studio is the record producer. That's when I decided I wanted to be a record producer. I don't really fancy Whitney anymore, but the production thing seems to be working out.

Emmanuel I can't really recall the moment I started producing. I played with a few bands when I was at University in Leicester and would go the School of Audio Engineering at weekends to study studio engineering. From doing that I ended up putting demos together for some of the bands I was playing with and a few artists in Leicester.

Moved back to London, worked on various things trying to get a foot in the door and then got a lucky break when I was asked to be Definition Of Sounds programmer. And that was more or less my way in. From there I was able to learn my trade and the industry, doing remix's here and there until eventually you get someone else's attention and you move on from there until one day I realised I was suddenly producing.

What were your favourite records growing up?

Stevie Wonder, Marvin Gaye and Earth, Wind and Fire are the records I'd lift out of my Dads collection when he was out at work. Then I found the first Mantronix album which really influenced me. The SOS Band. Loose Ends, Lynx, Soul 2 Soul, Total Contrast, there used to be loads of great UK R&B and Soul. The Police, Scritti Polliti (remember them), The Thompson Twins Guy's first album, Jodeci's "Diary of a Mad Band", Bob James, and Herbie Hancock. I like so much stuff from all over the place. I was lucky, I liked what my parents played, and I was into what a lot of my friends were into.

“...I'd lost faith in the music industry, the whole "URBAN' thing was really winding me up...”

Who are your favourite rappers on the UK scene?

Obviously I'm going to say the guys at the Low Life camp. Braintax, Mystro, Rodney P, Skinnyman, Jehst, Asaviour, Verb T, Kashmere, Taskforce, etc. Then there's Doc Brown, Yungun and Blade. I saw Sway live recently and I'm feeling what he's doing.

Are there any collaborations you wanted to have on the album but couldn't or any tracks that didn't make it on to the album?

Emmanuel Not really. We had a track planned for Beverley Knight, but schedules wouldn't let it happen as she had to go on tour. I had spoken with Estelle about doing a track but then decided against the idea as I did want to have too many established names on it. I had a Jamelia track that didn't make it onto her album I wanted to use, but her schedule is mental and I really didn't want to approach the label for permission to finish it off and use for fear they'd say no. I was pretty close to going for De La Soul, but I figured I'd leave that for album two. KRS1 is more than enough of an intro and I really wanted to keep the vibe focused on the UK and the underdogs. There was meant to be a second Nate James track which his people weren't really feeling so it didn't happen causing the album to be put back. But funny how things work out because Terri Walkers’ "Flirtin" happened as a result.

What is next for you?

It’s pretty hectic, but it always is. For Emmanuel, I’m hoping to drop a new 12” around March, but primarily I’ll be focusing on finishing of a new Emmanuel EP called “Black Einstien” which will be more live based. Once that’s done I’ll hopefully start work on album two before the end of the year. On the production and writing front there’s quite a few projects asking for my services and I’m still in discussion about teaming up with Jamelia again. I’ve also got Celetia’s group “Ladies In Question” album to produce, I’m working on Michelle Escoffery’s album as well as Mystro and a new Braintax album amongst other things.

“...I’ve been lucky to work with quite a few artists at the top of their game, Sly and Robbie, Beenie Man etc...”

I’m also still on touring/live duties for Steve Mason’s King Biscuit Time and we’ve got a few side projects we’re developing.

Its that time for your shameless plugs/shouts to the UKHH.com heads...

I’ll keep it brief, everybody at Little League and Low Life, everybody involved in the album and the lives shows and everybody who’s shown love and support over the years. The album is available in stores from January 30th and the next single “Flirtin” feat Terri Walker and Rodney P which will be available from February 12th in time for Valentines day.

- Nikesh Shukla

Related Links:

www.iamproductions.co.uk