Bass Music Mix 23 - Marcus Visionary
September 7
Marcus Visionary has been making some serious waves recently, so we were super hyped when he agreed to do a Bass Music Mix for us recently. His album Carib, which came out about 3 months back, has been on steady rotation round my way ever since, and I rarely play a set that doesn't feature a track off it - the combination of tuff, rolling beats and no-nonsense grooves makes them ideal for switching up between dubstep and breakstep, double dropping, even 3 deck mixing. It's really recommended. But Marcus is ridiculously prolific, and will soon be coming with another EP, 'Humble' on his own Liondub label, more releases for Digital Soundboy, and pushing his new site Channel One Station. That's what I call a work ethic.
So, massive biggups to Marcus for finding the time to do us this mix - it's one of the most varied we've had in a while, starting off with roots reggae vibes, and taking in funky, dubstep, and soca along the way. Brilliant stuff. No tracklisting this time I'm afraid - we'll just have to get all Sherlock and do some detective work on it...
Before we get started, could you do a quick introduction for people who might not be familiar with your music - who are you, what do you do and where do you do it?
My name is Marcus Visionary aka Marcus Sills. I'm a dj, producer and promoter from Toronto Canada. I'm part of the Digital Soundboy camp and I co run Liondub International with dj Liondub out of Brooklyn N.Y.C. I'm also about to launch a new label called 'Inner City Dance' with Dj Lush who is a legend in the Toronto Jungle scene.
My name is Marcus Visionary aka Marcus Sills. I'm a dj, producer and promoter from Toronto Canada. I'm part of the Digital Soundboy camp and I co run Liondub International with dj Liondub out of Brooklyn N.Y.C. I'm also about to launch a new label called 'Inner City Dance' with Dj Lush who is a legend in the Toronto Jungle scene.
Biggups for the mix, it's quality! You start off with some classic dancehall, bashment and similar - was JA music your first love, something you grew up with?
My family is from guyana and we always had reggae, soca, soul, rnb and funk playing around the house. My sister was into pop music and my brother was into rock so I had so many influences surrounding me. The music I always gravitated more toward was reggae. Early Yellowman, Dennis Brown, Bunny Wailer etc. I think it had alot to do with the bass coming into my room from the basement while I was asleep. Reggae will always be my first love.
My family is from guyana and we always had reggae, soca, soul, rnb and funk playing around the house. My sister was into pop music and my brother was into rock so I had so many influences surrounding me. The music I always gravitated more toward was reggae. Early Yellowman, Dennis Brown, Bunny Wailer etc. I think it had alot to do with the bass coming into my room from the basement while I was asleep. Reggae will always be my first love.
The mix progresses into kind of funky-bashment territory - I think it's really interesting how people like The Heatwave are linking the UK and the JA sound - is this something you aim to do with your music? Do you have any plans to produce funky?
I don't think I intentionally try to link the music back to J.A but it's always a major influence in my music. I love what Heatwave are doing right now. I feel like it's definately helping dancehall evolve to a better place. I do plan on making some funky. I had one funky track on 'Carib' called 2012. I've been experimenting with alot of house and funky. Maybe after my Jungle LP.
Next, the mix heads into the world of dubstep and all things related. A lot of people got to know about you first through your Drum & Bass work - what inspired the change in tempo? Has it refreshed you in terms of rekindling the fire for DnB?
I think that alot of jungle people could relate to the dub in dubstep. It was a natural progression for alot of people. After 20 years of working in the 170+ bpms, it was time for a change for alot of producers. You can see that with the entire DSB camp. We're all experimenting with different tempos and genres. I think making a variety of styles has definately helped me look at dnb and jungle differently. After my Humble LP I'll most definately be doing some more experimental DnB sounds drawing from all my new influences.
With the Carib LP, and your forthcoming remix for Tayo, there's a real sense of percussive energy - a real driving steppers beat that propels things along, which I really like. Is that an aspect of music that's particularly important for you, getting the drums right?
I've always made dancefloor oriented music so giving the drums energy was something natural for me. I was inspired by the whole half time double time that you have in jungle. It works really well in dubstep as well. Alot of the one drop dubstep stuff does'nt move me drum wise. I enjoyed bringing in elements of soca, kuduro, house, techno and broken beat.
I've always made dancefloor oriented music so giving the drums energy was something natural for me. I was inspired by the whole half time double time that you have in jungle. It works really well in dubstep as well. Alot of the one drop dubstep stuff does'nt move me drum wise. I enjoyed bringing in elements of soca, kuduro, house, techno and broken beat.
The mix ends up on a Soca vibe. Obviously Soca has been massive in the islands for time, but it seems like it's really starting to get some wider attention lately - why do you think this is? Are people becoming more open-minded, or is there a danger of it just being a 'flavour of the month' type of thing?
Soca has been the soundtrack to my childhood up until now and I've always loved it. I think Funky has helped people embrace soca much more as there are alot of soca/funky refixes. Funky also uses alot of elements from soca music drum wise. I think it has definately started off as a flavour of the month thing but I think it will evolve. The young producers in Trinidad are making some darker, harder more intense riddims that people in the UK and North America can relate to. Some of it is closer to Jungle bpm wise pushing 160+. Lyrically it can be more like grime with people like Bunji Garlin and Skinny Fabulous pushing things forward. With riddims like Kickback, Hunny Bunny, Fax Machine and Gutter Riddim things are going to get very interesting. It's getting younger and more progressive so it's starting to finally reach more people around the globe.
What's your musical background, and how would you say your sound has evolved over the years?
That's a tough question as it's long. I love all music of black origin: from reggae to soul to jazz to hip hop to house, techno and all of the new sub genres. When I started playing early jungle in 91 it was a perfect fit as it had the dub basslines and the energy of the U.K with the breakbeats. I think that my sound has now evolved to a point where I can incorporate more of the music I've grown up with. This is the first year that soca is somewhat 'cool' to play out! Before this most of my friends hated soca and some still do.
For those that don't know, you've released on some of the classic DnB labels such as Flex, Digital Soundboy and Chronic - any stories from back in the day you can share with us?I haven't done anything for Chronic yet but I'm working on it! Bryan G. has always been a great supporter. I'm honestly just honoured to be a part of the DSB camp as they are one of the most progressive labels out there right now. There are alot of stories but I don't want to upset anyone. On a positive note.. Shy FX has just made my weekend by sending me his first single 'Raver' off his next LP larger than Life. Watch out for it!
Are you a workaholic? I ask because having just released the Carib LP, you've got 'Humble' coming out soon on your label Liondub... What's the concept behind the album, and how was it working with legends such as Sugar Minott, Johnny Osbournce, Bunny General and Pad Anthony?I spend most of my time in the studio. I work in long spurts of time. Sometimes I'll get into studio mode for 2 months where I'll make a track every two days. I'll make the track in one day and mix it down the next. I think music is supposed to flow out naturally so if something is being too difficult I move on and try something else. Liondub from N.Y.C hooked up all of the vocal sessions for the 'Humble' LP. He lines up dubs for sounds around the world as many of the jamaican artists live or are always passing thru NYC. It was an honour and a dream to work with legends such as the late great Sugar Minott. Before he passed Sugar was very excited about building more music in the future. I still have one more track of his to finish which will come out after the LP. I've also had the honour of doing a large amount of work with Johnny Osbourne who I think is one of the greatest voices in reggae music. He's very humble person and he is also very interested in making music that kids now can relate to. Last time I was in NYC he came to the Pinch show I was playing at. I asked him what he thought King Tubby would think of dubstep? He said Tubby would have liked it and would have been doing it in his own way. I'll always remember that. Big up Liondub for the links.
You recently launched www.channelonestation.com - what's the idea behind the site, and how do you see it developing.We eventually would like channel one to be an online radio station. It's great because dj's/producers are busy but this way everyone can record mixes from home. We're hoping to build our roster with some likeminded dj's who want to keep pushing things forward.
Any shout outs or upcoming projects you'd like to plug?Shouts to the whole Digital Soundboy camp, Liondub camp, www.channelonestation.com, and watch out for my new label 'Inner City Dance' coming soon..
Humble EP 1 & 2 will be followed by the Humble LP. The LP is 100% reggae, dancehall and dub inspired jungle. Taking it back to my roots.
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