12am.com.au : Mixing Music Media


	.: Dimitri From Paris

Date of Interview: 28 June, 2003
Contributed by: James Belias

I caught up with Dimitri From Paris, over the phone whilst he was in New York. He's in the middle of a few dates in Montreal, Chicago and Washington and he is also remixing the latest Incognito 12" 'Morning Sun' which is a corker of a tune! For the record, Danny Krivit is also working on a remix. Dimitri prepares to visit his favourite Melbourne haunt Seven, for what promises to be a night of magic, house and disco mayhem. Family presents Dimitri From Paris on the 12th of July, and Dimitri is excited too. He chats about forth coming releases, his most recent album and his current favourite records.

"Hopefully by October we'll have put out my next mix, which is very clubby, and I'm also working on another mix CD which will be a follow up to Disco Forever (BBE)". Dimitri is a busy man, clearly. He's been fairly prolific in terms of CD releases since Sacrebleu (1996), and the latest local release My Salsoul, which is his second disco compilation, but this time with a special twist.

"I was approached by the Japanese owner of the Salsoul licence, and Danny Krivit has since done another one. It was interesting to do the mix CD and put some different tracks in the spotlight that people might have missed. It was very difficult actually and I'm very happy with the result." Releasing it in Japan proved to spawn a range of problems internationally, as the release was subsequently bootlegged. "It was bootlegged in the US with some horrible sound and artwork. It was also bootlegged on vinyl, with the mixed straight from the CD and put on the four sides. I didn't approve this so please don't think it was my idea".

Dimitri's debut album Sacrebleau went on to sell very well. Style-wise, it was more lounge, with jazzy and funky vibes. It was definitely not a dance floor album. The follow up, Cruising Attitude is now complete and has already been released in Japan (check out www.jvcmusic.co.jp/dimitrifromparis/#). "As you know, with the current state of record companies and the industry worldwide, it has been difficult releasing this internationally, but I am working on it. It's tough because it won't be a top 40 sort of thing. However it is available on the internet. It is quite pricey, so I recommend that people wait for the local release. However, I am very happy with the album".

His own albums and releases aside, Dimitri was keen enough to mention some records that have been receiving regular spins, as well as some of the disco re-edits he's been working on. "From the Masters At Work label, 'Over Now' which is an old funk track that Kenny and Louie (from MAW) have been working on. Also Steve 'Silk' Hurley and a track called 'The Glow of Love'. I've been trying to do a lot of re-edits. The old Dan Hartman track 'Relight My Fire', 'The Boss' as well, by Diana Ross and also 'Any Love' by Chaka Khan. These are my current disco favourites.

"The new Mafikizolo record, of which an edited version appeared on the MAW 7" Miami box set, is also fantastic. Louie just gave me his full-length version and it is amazing. DJ Jorj's remix, on Curious of 'Don't You Love Me' is also one of the highlights of this year. He deserves a big mention for that record and it's been in my record box since I got it. Big props to DJ Jorj, I think he's doing great music".

Touring so regularly and also trying to squeeze in studio time can be difficult for many of the world's busiest DJ's. However, playing so often, guys like Dimitri get to know what works on the dance floor. "It becomes instinctual, because you think about what you need as a DJ to make the track work. Then when we test it you see 'Do they scream?' 'Yes!! They scream'", he says laughing. "Its really fun to test your tracks like that. The experience helps, its invaluable". So make sure you scream when he plays his Incognito remix at Seven.

"You can tell records by people who don't go to clubs," he continues. "Playing often and producing both helps. These days I'm only doing records for friends and people I really like. Its changed in the last five years, when before the companies would throw a lot of money around and get like five different producers to do a remix. Now I work more with friends. For instance, the record I'm doing now is with the Masters At Work sound engineer. I'm not doing so many now, but it is more fun".

Well if he's continuing to have fun after over 15 years of playing, remixing and producing, you can be sure he's doing it all for the right reasons. Dimitri From Paris prepares to fire-up Family Saturday July 12. This is not to be missed!!

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