As you’ve surely heard, seen and downloaded by now, Luke Solomon and Derrick Carter have remastered and re-released their entire Classic catalog. Along with previously unreleased remixes and bonus tracks from the original releases, they are also have a slew of brand new music they are releasing on the label, including Luke’s upcoming album.
We had an exclusive interview with Luke for some insight into what its like to be Classic.
Stompy - The counting of the Classic catalogue numbers backwards was always a hot topic, with everyone offering up their own opinion about what was going to happen when it reached CMC00. What was the discussion like when you and Derrick signed CMC00?
Luke - We had always said we don't want to be a Strictly Rhythm. No disrespect to Strictly Rhythm at all, we just wanted a time line. We had been on a roller coaster for a long time, the end seemed significant and right, we never really discussed. Having Robe Mello’s ”Critical” (as CMC00) seemed fitting. Rob has always been an unofficial partner of sorts. It felt right.
Stompy - Was it a sense of relief, sadness, excitement?
Luke - We were so wrapped up in money troubles it just felt right and a sense of relief if I am honest. In hindsight, the stress does get forgotten over time, and the legacy remains intact. Which is good.
Stompy - Did you guys ever feel you were going to bring it back?
Luke - At the time, no. We both needed a massive break, and I needed to concentrate on repairing friendships that had been injured through the stress and worry.
Stompy - You and Derrick always did your own productions in the studio even when running Classic together. Did the label closure affect your creativity and inspiration in any way?
Luke - Not sure about Derrick, but I lost my mojo completely towards the end. When it was all done, i was inspired. It allowed me to go on and record my album for Rekids, and produce Damian Lazarus's album. So it kind of worked out.
Stompy - How have your DJ sets and productions evolved musically since then?
Luke - It's always a learning process. I will never be the DJ I want to be, but I have the aspirations to do all that I can to try and get there. And I always move with the times, or try and be a little ahead of them perhaps. That doesn't always work out though.
Stompy - What was the ultimate factor that led to the final decision of starting up Classic again?
Luke - I think the idea that we would have someone else taking care of business, and we could just concentrate on being A + R men and artists. And possibly earn a little scratch out of it for once.
Stompy - How do you feel both the music industry and the music itself has changed compared to when you launched Classic in 1995?
Luke - In some respects it's a whole different beast, it others it isn't. We all lost a huge amount of money as artists. So much of our own money was thrown back into the labels to keep them a float. So, surviving from gigs has really only been our only option. So not really different to the modern day model I guess.
Stompy - What are the first signings to the label? Why were these chosen to be the first releases people hear for the return?
Luke - I have the honour of being able to release my first solo record on Classic. The single will be released with Chez Damier and Mark E remixes, and some exclusive vinyl, and digital versions. We then have something from a Russian act, and a new project from some guys called Milk and Cookies.
Derrick is also re-releasing an expanded version of "Squaredancing" with new versions.
Stompy - Has the musical vision of Classic changed in any way?
Luke - I guess we are more grown up in our production values. Our ears have changed somewhat. I have spent years learning my trade properly, so I guess I hear different things now. But, we both still have an ear for something fresh and exciting, Lo Fi or Hi Fi. For us it has always been about the whole package, not just the songs.....we need to know the artist fits in with our grand scheme of things, and becomes part of the family.
Stompy - What roles do each of you play in the day-to-day workings of running the label?
Luke - I have always been the organised carer of day to day stuff I guess. But both Derrick and myself have always shared an equal role in all things creative; The design, the music etc.
Stompy - With Classic now coming back, and your work with Justin as The Freaks never really going away, do you have any plans to revive the MFF label as well?
Luke - There are plans being made.
Stompy - What part of the job--the Dj'ing, the label, the productions, the remixes--takes up most of your time most these days?
Luke - Producing mostly. I am producing a rock n roll/ blues band...and working on a string based electronica project with a singer called Richard Walters. Plus Luke Solomon remixes and my raw Lukatron project. I work on everything, all of the time.
Stompy - If you were to perform a set comprised of only the Classic catalogue, what would be your opening single as an introduction, what would be the defining single played during the peak hour, and what would be the single you close with to leave the lasting impression?
Luke -
"Sexuality"- by Home and Garden feat Colette
"Beau Mot Plage" by Isolee
"End of the Line" by Derrick Carter
That's todays choice...it could be different tomorrow.
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