E Smoove, Chicago, Usa - The Official Interview, 2002

Name: E Smoove aka Thick Dick - Eric Miller
Age: 34 years old
Sex: Male
Born:August 17th 1967
Location:Chicago, Usa

1.For the not so clued up person in regards to the world of Soulful House and Garage, UK Underground music could you tell us how you got started in this game?

I started out Djing in the earlier 1980's and did the natural progression to songwriting and producing from there.

1a. Who or what had the greatest influence on what you listen to today? 1(a) Was through listen to your parents (Did they have an artists or performer that they constantly kept going on about that influenced you) 1(b) Was through listening at a early age to the Radio to a particular sound or artist 1(c) Was through going to the church (being part of a choir?) 1(d) Or was it by being forced to take musical lessons that influenced your choice?

I was influenced mostly by the famous mixshow on WBMX with the Hot Mix 5 and all the "juice bars" of that era such as the Penthouse and Sauers. Prior to that in 1980 or so Chicago had an underground punk scene that was anchored by an AM radio show with Herb Kent. This laid the foundation for me to have an open mind to the early 80's dancemusic coming out of New York and Europe.

2. Who was your first musical hero? Was it Artists from the.. Soul area Hiphop scene Rock/Heavy Metal scene, Pop artists, Drum and Bass artists... Or just any particular artist/s?

I would say although I didn't grasp the whole production thing Quincy Jones was one of my first discoveries. Early on I realized he was a common thread in the music that I liked from Michael Jackson to Brothers Johnson, the Wiz, Quincy was all that. Also Earth Wind and Fire and Stevie Wonder.

3. You are a DJ/Dj Producer first and foremost. What was the first club or music venue that you played that allow you to gain vital experience to that is invaluable now! Is it still there now?; and have you gone back to play there from time to time? Can you play any musical instruaments yourself?

My first experience was playing for about 600 kids at my high school Mendel. They weren't just any highschool parties this was the infamous Mendel Bi-Level disco. This where Jamie Principle first performed, and house legends Farley Keith, Steve Hurley, Frankie Knuckles, Jesse Saunders and Ralphi Rosario dj'd regularly. But it also gave up and comers like me a chance to cut my teeth. The school is gone now but it had a major influence on house music.

4. Chicago's legacy with the formation of House music is strong. It was the first City to lay claims of inventing the music. Where you there from the start with regards to the foundations of the music being made in Chicago?

For instance clubs called the Music box and the Warehouse all those years ago in Chicago, Usa that feaured Ron Hardy and Frankie Knuckles as resident Dj's were the rage. Did you used to Party there? Or did you miss all off that?

I was influenced by those clubs and that scene indirectly. USA and The Warehouse were adult gay clubs, and I was about 14 at the time it started to be en vogue for the elite straight college kids to attend those parties. The DJ's and promoters of the straight juice bar parties would go to the Warehouse after their college/highschool parties would end at 3am. Then they would bring those influences back to their own parties where I attended.

There also was one main 12" vinyl store at the time called Imports etc. They sold music from behind a counter and would tip you on records that Frankie played at the Warehouse.

During the Music Box era I was DJing regularly by then so I would miss the Box all the time but of course Ron Hardy had so much influence on the kids that you would have to play with a Box attitude a lot.

5.It seems as if you have been around for ages. How did you get the nickname of "E-smoove?

It was given to me as a joke because I was kinda quiet but decent with the ladies on the down low.It just stuck.

6.One of my earliest recollections of you was when I bought a record that you had a hand in called "Promisies", which featured Paris Red. I loved that record, and still play it today when I get the chance. Was this the style that you started make when you decided that you could turn your hand at making music? Do you still keep in touch with the vocalist Paris Red at all?

Honestly that record brings back memories of being at ID turning out remix after remix. I'm glad you like it but at the time I think we did too many records to put the proper love in each one. But you never know what's going to touch someone. I never met Paris Red at all.

7.You managed to get into working alongside Steve Silk Hurley, and the famous I.D record label. How did that come about? It was probably the most famous Soulful House record label during the early 1990's?

ID records was kinda started as a way to appease the inhouse producers like Maurice and myself when we couldn't get majors to sign our product. Steve Hurley and our manger at that time were just funding the label initially but then shit started to blow up so they started taking it seriously. I had already been with Steve's company a few years prior to that.

8. What was it like to work with Steve "Sik" Hurley. Was he a slave driver? Was he fun to work with during those I.d days. What was it like when you were in his camp?

Steve was cool to work with and a huge influence musically. I really learned how to make records by watching him. I had a bit of experience in pieces prior to working with him but watching him brought it all together. The energy and the amount of creativity around us was unmatched. The talent around was just crazy. It was a very good experience.Farley Keith, Steve Hurley, Frankie Knuckles, Jesse Saunders and Ralphi Rosario dj'd regularly.

9. One of the nicest records of that period for me from the at label was "Are you gonna be there?" by Shay Jones. Did you provide any mixes for this classic from the I.D tream?

I actually co wrote that song with Jere McAllister who was my production partner at the time. Jere was an original DJ International artist before we hooked up. That song was originally written for a group we were in that never came about and then Diana Ross was going to cut it, then Soul to Soul, finally it got cut on Shay and the rest is history.

10. Another member of the great I.D team was Maurice Joshua. What was he like to work with? Do you you still keep in touch with Maurice and Steve?

We all are very much in touch and speak pretty often.

11.You worked with another giants in the House and Garage field known as the Masters at Work. How did they differ in regards to the style that you were used to with Steve and Maurice?

I only spent a brief time with them in the studio but it was my first New York studio experience. I learned they make records very different from us. They were doing shit in a real way where our shit is a little more "best way you can ghetto style". They had about 10 people in that session working where we just did shit by ourselves.

12..When did you decided that it was time to move on from I.D records? Was it from the time that the label its self (I.D) was in trouble between 1993 to 1996, via legal fight for the record label itself?

I left in 1993 and Steve and the rest of the crew left shortly after. I left purely because I felt we were not respected financially, musically or business wise by our manager.

13.You have since then created your own record label called "Focus". I this something that you've always wanted to do? Have you used this a way of producing records the way you would like them to be heard by the public at large. Or have you used this opportunity to produced and market other artists on your label?

My production company is called Focus Music Group, the labels Focus Recordings and 723 Music were created to get the music to the people.

14.You've made you name really as a remixer. Who have you remixed over the years. Please inform us. And who was the most the enjoyable to work with?

I have remixed so many projects over the years. Highlights include Michael Jackson and Janet Jackson, Deborah Cox, Mary J Blige just too many to name.

15.You have traveled abroad to work many times? ?(Only write down if its applies) Where have you played..what are the countries?

I have played in over twenty countries and the experience of playing the music I love for people who don't speak the language has taught me that music is truly universal.

16. You have recently visited London, England. What are your thoughts on the music known as Uk Garage/2-Step Garage music that is busting out of the City? The music has bulldozed its way into the Soulful House and Garage world music. Its the newest hybrid of the music within the scene. Some people hate it. Some people love it. What are your views on the scene and the music culture?

The Arftul Dodger and M.J.Cole of this world have bought the Soulfulside of this music forward for 2-Step Garage music. Or you may have heard of the younger and up and coming Breakbeat Garage dj/producers such as Solid Solid Crew, Pay as go Crew or the Heartless Crew. What are you thoughts on the music?

The 2 step scene is good. My only concern is how the press, DJ's etc... will abandon one form of music for another. 2 step is a hybrid of "US Garage" and Drum and Bass, because a new style was created do you no longer acknowledge it's roots? In a recent trip to London, every label meeting I had was dominated by 2 step discussions and I don't even do 2 step!

16. There seems to be a love for GARAGE and Souful House at the moment ( especially in England) that resembles the early days of Hiphop within the USA. Labels are being sought after, the pirates are canning the music. Underground clubs via word of mouth are becoming " Sought after places to visit". What is the situation in Chicago, or whereever you are based now in the Usa. Are things changing over there with regards to this music?

Soulful house is still very underground at the moment. House music is being much more accepted as part of our culture but doesn't get much radio exposure. but the different genres are very confusing to people and I think that potentially hurts the music. Black people hear a hard techno track and think it's a representation of house music. There's a stigma attached that people think it's cheesy music for drugged out white kids, gays or suburban white girls. People don't get exposed to the soulfulness that house music was born of.

17. BBC corporation(England) seems to be championing the cause of dance music in the Uk.A new National digital radiois now up and running in the Uk; What is the situation where you are based in the Usa. Any talks of a nationa or regional station that will cater for other styles of black dance music in the future (such as House abd Garage music)??

Right now there aren't any main stream stations that championing house music as we know it. There are a few "dance stations" but they do a poor representation of house and don't educate people to genres and such. So they almost hurt more than they help.

18. Larry Heard and Glen Underground, are other famous Chicagioans's, with regards to making Soulful House and Garage music. Have you had the chance of working with any of them? If you haven't, is there any chance that you might do so in the future?

I've remixed a Larry Heard project before and I just spoke to Glenn about getting one his pieces for a compilation series I'm doing.

19. Chicago, New Jersey and New York City have traditionally dominated the musical output coming from the USA. However, the city of San Franciso input over the last 3 years has changed that. Are you aware of Labels such as Naked Music, Panhandle, Red Melon and a host of others that are truly challenging these cities musical output. Do you get a chance to listen artists from those labels.

Yes I like the San Fran stuff. The community is so global now that I don't think you can characterize music by geographical location anymore.

20. Keeping on the music side of things. Are you writing your own material yourselves these days.Or do you prefer to do remixing of other people material.Is this still in your blood?

I definitely prefer writing and producing to remixing because of the control you have.

21.Keeping on this same subject, when you go about creating a new vocal Houe track. Which comes first. The Groove or the beat, then the lyrics. Or writing down the lyrics, then providing the groove..???

There's no formula, whereever the inspiration appears.

22.Over the years your mixes were known for as being smooth and happy sounding. However, over the years you have added a harder edge to your work.Is this now what we will expect from E-Smoove? I personally loved the Soulful and happy sounding tracks in your earlier works. But that just me...!!

I'm always trying to keep a balnce so that I don't get bored. I love it funky whether it's banging or grooving.

23. Coming from a city and travelling like you do. You must have come across quite a few Vocalists, Musicians and Dj/producers of all shapes and sizes. Who would you say to keep an eye out for. Is there someone out there that in your opinion will be huge in 2002?

The Aussie scene is buzzing and I think there will be a few things to look for out of there.

24. England newiest Superstar is Mr.Craid David. At the start of his career he made quite a few singles with the group called The Artful Dodger ( Southampton, England.) He's album called "Born to Do it",( Rnb' and Soul album directed, with a few Uk Garage cuts on it !!) he also made with the with the Artful Dodger has gone gold in the Usa.Are you impressed with England's newiset International star. What are you thoughts?

Craig is a star and I'm sure would have been had he come out of the Us or wherever. You can't stop that type of star quality.

25. The Masters at Work Production team ( New York, Usa) are still going, and like you are still making records. They like you, have only just recently appeared and played in England. Are they someone that you wouldn't mind working with to create more Soulful House cuts in the future?

Sure, I'm cool with them and would love to collaborate.

26. Chicago is always credited as being the birth place of House music. However, what is the state of play today within the city with the music? Is House still being danced to?

Chicago is a house city and every club plays house music at some point but it lacks the enrgy of the early 80's when collectively we were all on the same shit at the same time.

27. Did you manage to go to this years Winter Music Conference? Did you enjoy it. Or has it lost some of its magic of its previous years???

Haven't attended in years. it's lost it's direction.

28. Have you got any advice for any aspiring Record label producer, DJ , Club owner or Dj/Producer within the world of House and Garage. Any rules that he should adhere to!

Keep the love and respect of the music first and everything else will develop as it should.

Interview conducted by Esmoove - Chicago, USA and Carl Brown, Ipswich, England

All rights of the text and the images belong to Carl Brown, Ipswich, England and ESmoove, Chicago, Usa.
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