Cabbie started his musical journey back in 1991 buying records as an avid young DJ. By 1995 he had taught himself how to produce and he started engineering for Bizzy B. From there he spent his time learning all there is to know about music technology.

He began collaborating with artists such as Smokey Joe, Dr S Gachet, Genotype and Ashatak and had solid releases on Moving Shadow and Slow Motion before leaving Bizzy B's studio to set up his own in north west London.

He is now a skilled and highly experienced music producer / sound engineer, with a wide range of skills covering all aspects of music production. Cabbie has also worked as a dub cutting mastering engineer, club sound engineer, system support for Steinberg, music tutor in a youth centre and still runs the Vinyl Mania record shop in Ealing.

With over 15 releases under his belt and a huge amount of releases about to come out, including the long-awaited Mr Jah and New Style alongside Probe on Chronic, Cabbie is definitely taking things to the next level in 2010.

What releases have you got coming out in the next few month?

I have a couple of releases coming out on the Unique Artists album alongside J Magik, Optical, Ryme Tyme, Cause4Concern... it's a serious look. I'm doing some bits with SS on Formation, another new bit on Ganja with Crystal Clear and, of course, two more on my label Pollution...

Speaking of Pollution, how's the label going?

Yeah, good. I was pleased with the units shifted and the reception of the first release and the second one is out now, Cylons backed with Dropped In It, go buy it!

Going forward I'm really thinking about mixing it up a bit, some specials in short runs, some exclusives and maybe even some different tempo stuff and expand my horizons.

You have lots of collabs coming up and one thing you seem to excel at is your ability to cross genres and different labels, why do you think that is?

I'm not really sure, just roots I guess. I've been doing this for 15 years when the scene wasn't so split. I love the whole spectrum of drum & bass and that kinda sticks. As a producer I get much more fulfillment from making a multitude of styles and I guess playing abroad opens your eyes. A lot of different countries have different tastes so it's good to put out stuff that's received universally.  

OK, I'm gonna throw this out there as we discuss this a lot, jump up! What are your views on this part of the scene right now?

Dunno man. In my eyes I don't make jump up tunes, I make dance floor tunes and if it's the wobble tunes and jump up that's switching people on that's where I'm at. First and foremost the music I make is for DJs and DJs are there at the end of the day to make people dance. In fact, scrub that, I make music for people to dance to full stop! So as long as that's what's happening that's what I'll do.

But I like said before, I've been doing this 15 years and the best thing is drum & bass constantly evolves and hopefully I'll keep evolving with it. Someone once said you either make music to listen to or to dance to and I thrive on making people dance so the majority of stuff I make is dance music.

I love drum & bass on the whole and, as a producer, I love making and playing everything. I believe to be a true musician and producer you need to be open to lots of styles and influences.

What people don't realise is when I first kinda broke it was due to things like Mr Jah and New Style played by Hype and Friction on one side but on the flip I had a tune out called Beer and Pussy (I was young!) that was being rinsed by the likes of Goldie, Bailey and Digital which is a completely different side of D&B.

Because the rave side of things seems to gain the most hype I guess it's the jump up side that stuck a bit more. I will always make jump up but I definitely have plans for a lot of other stuff, watch this space...

You recently had a release on the Bad Taste album with the Bad Company UK boys, how was it working Vegas, someone that has had so much influence on the scene?

Total eye opener man, pure education. I owe so much to him for what I've learnt and the time he has given me. I'm looking to relink soon with the guys under the Blockhead guise (Maldini, Vegas and Uman) for future projects.

How's your DJing calendar looking these days?

All good, I've got Copenhagen on May 21st, Llada festival in Spain on June 12th and then June 26th in Germany. I've also got gigs in Margate, Birmingham and on July 10th a big thing at the Regal in Oxford so I'm stacking up the Airmiles and Nectar points!

I have to apologise here, due to the recent volcanic eruption I had to bail on Prague which I really regret but hopefully I'll be back soon. To show how committed I am I even drove to Amsterdam to catch my Cheeky Mondays gig!

Production wise what you feeling and using at the moment?

I'm enjoying the whole Cubase 5 experience at the moment, especially  Lenner Digita Sylinth which is a wicked plug-in. My NW Quad Core machine -  hold tight Nick the Disk for the build! Aside from that, Massive a little and I've still got a lot of time for the Rob Papen stuff. Effects wise... haha! Can't give that away!

Anything else?

Big ups to my Mum and Dad every time and Unique Artists, Smokey Joe, Ashatak and Ellis Dee for bringing me in. Playaz Camp, Andy Crystal Clear, Origin, Magistrate, Tantrum Desire, Doodle, Vegas UK, Uman, Probe, Grooverider, Zshara, Stylee, Digital, Bryan Gee, Gareth Grid, Karen G, Mista Jam, SS, Nicky Blackmarket, Miss Pink, Krust, Bassline Smith, Kenny Ken and, of course, J- Science. If I forgot anyone I'm SORRY!!!

 

Download Cabbie's guest mix

 

• Cabbie

Related Links:

• DJ Cabbie's Water Cycle
• Las Vegas Focus
• Unique Artists Release Compilation
• Blokhe4d - Last Days Of Disco
• Introducing: Blynk

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