Earlier this year, industry legend Darren Emerson released his third compilation on Global Underground, GU 36:Bogota.
Even with such a long and extremely successful career, Darren rocks the dance floors with the same levels of energy and passion that he delivered twenty years ago. Bogota illustrates this exactly, starting off with the classic Underworld sound to remind listeners of a part of dance music history that Emerson once dominated - and a selection of tracks proving not only that he can deliver but that he’s still got what it takes to stay on top.
Darren gives us the scoop on his plans for the rest of 2009 as well as his thoughts on the new compilation:
Darren, tell us about coming back to Global Underground for Bogota 036.
“It was very nice to come back. I’ve done two before, of course years ago, and with Underwater – I’ve done quite a few compilations on there. At the moment I’ve stepped back from Underwater a bit to concentrate on the my own stuff for a while. We [GU] had a few options where we could do this third compilation. It was between Sole, but I had been there just two months before so I didn’t want to go back to Sole. Then Marrakesh, Cairo, but I didn’t want to do it there either.. Marrakesh is where bankers and such go for long weekends, so they are not really clubby people.”
So what made you choose Bogota?
“First of all, I’ve been there before a few times. Bogota has a really good vibe, and with great party people that are really into their music.”
How did you select the tracks?
“Having played there [Bogota] before I knew the club quite well, so I knew what would work. They put it on me and I had to do it three months before it came out, so I have to be very upfront with the track selection. I also had to look to make sure the club tracks I was using haven’t been used before on other compilations. So yeah, it was tough work. It took me quite a while to make the right selections. I’m happy with what I got, and people seem to like it as well.”
How did the event in Bogota go?
“Amazing! I played for five hours! They couldn’t get me off the stage. The event was amazing, the club is amazing. It is just the right size that even if I took it deep, the energy kept going. It was fantastic, for five hours I went on and on.”
Where do you see yourself in the next couple of years?
“All over the place as usual! You know maybe give myself about a year and maybe do another Global Underground compilation. I’m not sure if it will be this year or the year after. I want to go to Japan again. I want to go to Osaka, I’d like to go there and do one, but we will see.”
Do you plan to release more of your own stuff on Underwater?
“I might do their 100th release, but I want to step back for a bit.”
What advice would you have for DJs who are trying to make it today?
“Well these days you have to be a producer to be a DJ. You can be a fantastic DJ, but there are a lot of kids that want to be DJs these days, and they are really good DJs. The art of DJing has changed so much compared to when I was cutting and scratching at 14 years old and fusing two of the same records. I learned to beat match without even the help of Technics. I had to use my finger to speed things up or slow things down, so I really learned the hard way. Now you just hit the loop button or use Ableton.”
What are your thoughts on how technology has changed the industry?
“Well its technology isn’t it? Some people may be using Ableton and altering all their tracks but you still have to create a good vibe. So maybe the beat matching has gone out a little bit, but you’ve still got to play a good tune, and know how to work the party. You have to be able to recognize when to take it down or take it back up, so there is still an art in it. It has just been made easier for people who wouldn’t be able to beat match using two vinyl records.”
We have to ask, any future plans with Underworld?
“The boys are still doing their thing, but I’ve been working trying different things working with some session players like guitarist friends of mine. You know just moving on and trying different thing as well. My next album won’t just be a techno, disco, house record it will be a lot of guitars and songs.”
What keeps you motivated?
“I’m very, very blessed to do what I do. I travel around the world, and meet great people. I’m very lucky, I can go anywhere in the world and know someone and ring them up. I’ve met really nice people over the years been to great parties at great clubs, and I still carry on.”
Tell us about your upcoming releases.
“I’ve done a few tracks some of the tracks I put out on this Global Underground Bogota. The track called Home, it’s old school really good vibe at the moment and that will be coming out. I’ve done one with Jamie McHugh called Impact and its quite techy sort of thing. I’ve been doing some dancey stuff and my own stuff as well plus a couple of remixes.”
What hot producers should we watch out for?
“I love what Paul Richie is doing at the moment. Paul, he is a French guy, he is fantastic! Another one to watch out for is Jamie McHugh who I work with, he is doing really well, there are so many out there now. Those are just a couple for you.”
Great!
Thank you Darren!
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More about Darren Emerson
http://darrenemerson.com
http://www.globalunderground.co.uk/gu36/
GU36 Bogota Tracklisting:
* Disc 1
01- Underworld – Mmm Skyscraper…I Love You
02- Anja Schneider & Sebo K – Rancho Relaxo (Original)
03- Jagged – Hello Kool Nice (Quarion Remix)
04- Einzelkind – Out With A Bang
05- Journey Man DJ – Shelley’s
06- Mooncat Feat. Ferank – Hear What Was Said (Skylark Remix)
07- Stimming & Einmusik – Magdalena
08- Darren Emerson – Home
09- Nikitin & Semikashev – Blown
10- Pete Heller – Sabotage
11- Kerri Chandler – Pong (Ben Klock Remix)
12- Nikitin & Semikashev – Reflection Vector
13- Nick Chacona – Mariacha
14- John Selway & Vincenzo Ragone – Dream Stealer
15- Maja – If You Love Me Tonight (Passarani Mix)
* Disc 2
01- Itamar Sagi – One Million Oaks (Funk D’Void Remix)
02- Kerri Chandler – Fortran (Argy’s Big Room Detroit Mix)
03- Darren Emerson – Crash Jack (Jamie McHugh’s Exclusive GU Bogota Remix)
04- Recloose Feat. Joe Dukie – Dust (Induceve Remix)
05- Josh Wink – Counter Clock 319
06- Donnacha Costello – Black Bag Job 526
07- Jamie McHugh – Lunar (Handycraft Remix)
08- Mathew Jonson – Marionette (Adam Beyer Remix)
09- Spirit Catcher & Compuphonic – Mastermind
10- Nosmo Vs Kris B & Ben Brown – La Cocina (Mazi Dubstrumental Mix)
11- Darren Emerson & Jamie McHugh – Impact
12- Joel Mull – Viewpoint (Jericho Records)
13- Joris Voorn – Blank
11- Underworld – Mmm Skyscraper…I Love You
