Baobinga is one of the most versatile producers and DJs in the current dance music scene. With releases on labels such as Soul Jazz, Ninja Tune, Trouble & Bass and Mantra as well as his own Build imprint and remixes for artists like Wu Tang Clan, Guru and The Ragga Twins, Baobinga's sound is constantly evolving.

Baobinga's next release is on Steak House Records entitled, Riddim Team EP. A label run by Hanuman and Atki2 (Monkey Steak), and affiliated with the Ruffnek Diskotek club night in Bristol. The EP sees Baobinga push his heavy 'raggastep' sound featuring original stylings by some of the UK's best MCs backed by a remix by Poirier.

Knowledge caught up with Baobinga to learn more about him as an artist and the Riddim Team EP...

Musically how did it all begin for you?

In terms of instruments, I grew up playing classical piano, then I became a drummer. But from a really young age I was fascinated by synthesizers and music technology - I always used to drag my mum into music shops when she'd take me along to do the shopping, which was probably pretty annoying. Put it this way - I can clearly remember seeing my first Korg M1; that's the level of precocious nerd I was!

Describe your introduction to the sound of dubstep...

I got to know about dubstep through being fascinated by the breakstep garage sound - people like Zed Bias, Shimano, Oris Jay / Darqwan and, of course, the legend Zinc - particularly his Jammin productions on Bingo Beats.

J Da Flex's show on 1Xtra was a big influence as well - vital listening to hear the freshest stuff from people like Dubchild, Slaughter Mob and Search & Destroy. Plus I was working with Ginz a lot from around this time, and through that connection I got to know Pinch, and also the early Vex'd releases on Subtext.

I also went to one of the early FWDs at Plastic People - J Da dropping Lion by Vex'd was a highlight, and Youngsta's set helped me start to understand the appeal of deeper half-step stuff, cos up to then I'd been all about the rowdier and more live-sounding drums from people like Toasty Boy and 2nd II None.

Where do your musical influences reside?

My main early dance music influences were classic jungle and 90s techno. I loved the fact that with both of those sounds you knew your parents and indie-loving friends just totally wouldn't get it. It felt like you were part of a special group with secret knowledge, especially growing up in a small village in Yorkshire.

It kinda feels like that has been lost a bit - you could play anyone a Pendulum song and they'd understand it - they might not like it, but it's got a strong melody, a classic song structure and an obvious front man. Whereas the first time I heard something like Original Nuttah or Incredible, it just sounded so unlike anything else.

Likewise, with loopy techno - it just goes on and on, so you either get lost in the loops and start to reach a bit of a trance-like state, or you totally don't get it and reach for some Oasis. I do kind of miss that sense of underground dance music being a completely confusing entity for the majority of people - I guess it's still there though, just maybe hidden a bit.

What is distinctive about a Baobinga production?

Well first up, it's distinctive because I made it, and there's only one me out there - which on the one hand isn't a great answer because it applies to anyone, but at the same time it's the most important thing - you have to be aware of what you bring to the music, rather than what you think is hot or who you want to sound like.

Secondly I'd like to think that all my stuff has a really good 'energy' - I like exciting drums with interesting sounds to them, and I like my beats to have a bit of a swagger and bounce to them, which probably all comes from my early love of jungle and techno. Everything else can change, but my tunes have to have good drums.

What production gear do you use when making music?

Logic 8 on a Macbook Pro, and then as much hardware as I can find - either stuff around the studio, or by taking the computer to friends' places and recording bits of their kit. I also like to record bits of live percussion - anything to add something unique to the sound.

So many young producers coming through the ranks. Some say there are too many releasing just average tunes, the whole quantity over quality thing, what is your opinion on this?

In the past I would probably have written a big essay about who knows what, but I've come to realise that there is no point thinking about this stuff, if you're coming at it from a producer's point of view. It doesn't matter what anyone else is doing, or how big they are getting from doing it, you just need to make sure your stuff is tight.

Your Riddim Team EP is coming out on Steak House Records, how did this connection come about?

I sent the tunes to Poirier when I first did them, wondering if he had any ideas about where to send them, and he recommended I send them to Tim Dub Boy, Bristol's premier Karnival DJ. It turned out that I knew Tim from ages ago - I'd met him at a party at Pinch's old house - and he told me about the plans for the label and it all seemed to make sense. Especially as Tim, Sam Atki2 and Jon Hanuman (the other two Steak Housers) are some of the nicest people around!

How would you describe the style or vibe of the release?

Raggastep! The idea behind the EP was to build on some of my previous releases and remixes in a similar style - stuff like my Ragga Twins remix, or my Style & Trend collaboration with Tayo and Spyda on Soul Jazz. I've always found dancehall and ragga really interesting - I love the basic riddim, I love the fact that it can be so minimal and tuff yet so much fun to dance to - and I wanted to try taking that riddim and pushing it to around 128 / 130 bpm, so you could mix it with other forms of dance music. I was also really lucky in that all the vocalists came with such quality vocals - really helped the project come alive.

The latest Build release which features tunes by you, Ginz & TRG. How did this release come about? Do you find working with others a fun and easy process or is it a harder task?

Yeah I love collaborating when it works well - it's kind of like all the fun bits and none of the monotonous solo grind, cos you have someone to bounce ideas off, and when you've temporarily run out of ideas, they can jump in, and before you know it, something they've done has got you inspired again.

I've worked with Ginz for years doing various projects - the biggest of which was The Body Snatchers album Feeling Good, Looking Nice, Smelling Right which was our attempt to fuse heavy UK analogue production with a strong crunk vibe, working with vocalists from the ATL, Florida, LA as well as some top notch Bristol heads. After the fairly intense process of doing that project, we took a bit of a break from writing dancefloor tunes, and when we got back on it, The Good Stank was the result.  

Cosmin is someone I've known online for a while, and I met him in person a few years back in Bucharest, where he introduced me to the joys of tripe soup. Later when he played in Manchester I taught him about the classic British fry-up. Think he might have done better out of that bargain to be honest! With I Get Ruff, we'd been meaning to do a collaboration for a while but couldn't figure out how to make it happen, until eventually I pestered Cosmin into sending me a beat, which I then built some stuff around, sent back to him for tweaking and so on. Definitely a different way of working to actually being in the room with someone, smelling their sweat, wiping their tears, cleaning the blood etc., but it turned out pretty good I think!  

What current events, radio shows, labels are you involved in?

I run my label Build through Multiverse, the same company that does Tectonic, Kapsize, Earwax and Caravan, and I help I.D. out with bassmusicblog.com. I don't really have any residences as such, I tend to just go where I'm wanted!

 

Words: Megan O'Toole

 

Download Baobinga's Bashment Raggastep Mix

1. Nas & Damian Marley - As We Enter (The Body Snatchers aka Ginz & Baobinga RMX) - DUB
2. Poirier ft. MC Zulu - Gyal Secret Pictures (Baobinga RMX) - Ninja Tune (2010)
3. Baobinga & I.D. ft. Rider Shafique - Lickle Further - DUB
4. Baobinga ft. Spyda - Criss Like HD - Steak House DUB
5. Baobinga ft. Rubi Dan - Raggipahop - Steak House DUB
6. Tayo & Baobinga ft. Spyda - Style & Trend - Soul Jazz (2008)
7. Baobinga ft. Killa Benz - Wine Up - Steak House DUB
8. The Ragga Twins - Ready 4 This (Baobinga RMX) - 777 (2007)
9. Baobinga & I.D. - What I Need - Vertical Sound (2006)
10. Foreign Beggars - Get A Bit More (Baobinga RMX) - Never Say Die (2010)
11. The Body Snatchers ft. Sir Plus - Jaminglish - Passenger (2008)

Mix hosted by www.digital-tunes.net

 

Baobinga ft Killa Benz - Wine Up - Steak House by baobinga

 

Baobinga ft Rubi Dan - Raggipahop - Steak House by baobinga

 

Baobinga ft Spyda - Criss Like HD - Steak House by baobinga

 

 

• Baobinga
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• Build
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• Steak House Records

Related Links:

• Baobinga's Joint Ventures
• Baobinga & ID To Release New Album
• Free Baobinga & ID Remix Parts
• Baobinga & ID Remix Competition
• Baobinga Launches Build

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