Interview is written and conducted by Dimitri Kechagias “Flux Bpm On The Move” for Dance Radio Global and 1mix radio
December of 2010 is the perfect time for the legendary compilation Opus by Mr Sam to return with its fourth installment dedicated to the sacred city of Jerusalem. Mr Sam knows that the subject is sensitive for multiple reasons, as everyone will know. Nevertheless, Sam has no other aim than the listener’s trust in music that he felt when he visited the mythical city. He is happy to be the first DJ to devote an album to Jerusalem. After the release of his album entitled Pop Model that was loved by his fans all over the globe, he returns with Opus Quarto. The previous 3 parts of Opus were great success stories as they brought to us some fantastic brand new progressive trance gems that we came across for the first time thanks to his ability to discover great talents that after this exposure can have a long lasting career in the trance scene. It sounded to me the perfect occasion to request once again an interview with him. We did already more than 3 interviews and I’m always so thrilled to read his detailed and well thought and really deep answers . Expect to read about the making of the compilation, his opinion about the situation in Middle East and Jerusalem, his comment about each track in the compilation and his Best of 2010 list as well. Just press play on your CD and while listening his great mix enjoy his very cool answers as well. Mr Sam is a true trance genius…
You can check it right here as well: http://www.danceradioglobal.com/trancemusic/index.php?/latest-interviews/interview-with-mr-sam-about-his-brand-new-mix-compilation-opus-quarto.html
and right here as well: http://www.1mix.co.uk/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=477:mr-sam-interview&catid=95:news&Itemid=100150
Mr Sam : Hello Dimitri, good to hear from you as well. Pop Model is a solid project I’ve been working on. It was half a Pop Album half Club Album. That was my idea on first place. So few tracks have been releases as club singles and others as video/radio singles. Both were way different of course. You could find club monsters like “Cygnes” or “Dominator” or even “Rydem Koba” but also house tracks like Invicible or “Satisfaction Guaranteed”. I’m very proud and happy of the album. Of course, a bit more of success on the radio tracks would have make me more happy. Will be for the next time.
Dimitri: Of course several tracks have been released as singles including your collaboration with Andy Duguid – Invincible or the awesome Satisfaction Guaranteed. I wonder if there are more singles to come out from this album and if yes which ones will be.
Mr Sam : We’re thinking about it with Black Hole at the moment. Lets see how it goes and we’ll take it from there. I’ve some good ideas for it but we need to talk about it and put things together. Time is the key. Things take time in the industry sometimes…
Dimitri: The brand new chapter of the Opus compilation is Quarto with the subtitle Jerusalem. Firstly I would like to ask how satisfied you feel about the fact that the concept carries on and there is always excitement in the trance community about the new tracklisting of each chapter?
Mr Sam : This 4th volume of OPUS called Quarto “Jerusalem” is my favorite so far. Everything is the way I thought it in first place. It was a very big challenge to do this 4th Edition. I’m also satisfied and happy to see the people talking and waiting about it. They also know that I’m not fooling them too. I’m not picking up the usual suspects with average tracks too. I’m working extremely hard on every aspect of the album. From the concept, my quest to find some very good upcoming producers and unique tracks as well, same for the photoshoot, the design, or even the booklet text as well. That’s very important for me to come up with a real professional album every time. This will be part of my discography and I just want to be fully happy now but also in 10 years. That’s how I am. Sometimes a bit too much perfectionist etc… We say that the Devil is sleeping in the details so I’m trying to get him less sleep as possible
Dimitri: Of course, the question that is in everybody’s lips is why you dedicate the compilation to Jerusalem. Do you feel attached with that city and why?
Mr Sam : I’ll give you the longest answer you never got for an interview ever.
Here’s OPUS 4 Booklet text. Everything is there !!!
Mr Sam OPUS Quarto – Jerusalem (Booklet’s Text)
OPUS Quarto. Quarto? Is the fourth in Latin of my series OPUS. In this new chapter, I take you along to Jerusalem. Yes, Jerusalem. Only to pronounce this magic word, so mysterious and divine, it transports me and causes shivers.
I had the idea to devote this new OPUS to the city of the sacred Jerusalem, this occurred after I went there and returned with the framework of my world tour for my album “Pop Model”. I know that the subject is sensitive for multiple reasons that everyone knows. Nevertheless, I have no other aim than that of your trust in music that I felt when I visited the mythical city. I am happy to be the first DJ to devote an album to Jerusalem.
It is often said, Jerusalem does not resemble any other city, but what makes it so different? This would not be the feeling of walking on a wire stretched between heaven and earth, that one feels while walking through these ancient streets. Jerusalem posses a double nature: of all times one spoke about “Celestial” Jerusalem and of “Terrestrial” Jerusalem.
I discovered that one could travel between the two universes, terrestrial and celestial, and make this Holy City your city. In addition, a sense of power and invincibility, serenity and enchantment emerges from the city.
Who is there more mysterious and legendary than Jerusalem? Holy City essentially, Jerusalem remains the cradle of the world. Its smells, its colours, its lights, its history, and its spirituality, but caught and subdued, I think it clear to confess I have contracted “Jerusalem syndrome” like many travellers and pilgrims before me. I predicted it before I had even got there, a sort of thunderbolt predictable and inevitable. I remember my first visit to Jerusalem, I had the impression that I had already been there, it was written. I strongly believe in destiny. Passionate of history, it reminded me of these philosophers, writers and other scientists of the last centuries, of whose travel books of The Orient, specifically in the Holy Land and particular in Jerusalem made me dream in as a child but also and always as a man. Their tales while old, now remain incredibly modern and very close to what I experienced there, proof of the universal and timeless character of the city.
The city has been the subject of so much passion, so many desires and dreams of so many, so many poems and so many paintings, one comes to doubt that it is part of our world! Would it not rather be a myth that everyone is reshaping in its own way? Jerusalem is part of our collective memory and thereby appropriates each in its own way.
Jerusalem releases at the same time an extreme protective softness and a very great force, energy. Those very things I want to re transcribe in music throughout this new album, seeking constantly this duality, this particularity. I am thus as with my practice, respecting the original concept OPUS left again scouting for the talents throughout the world. I explained to each one of those which I met the concept of this new OPUS and the musical direction that I had inside my head. For me the music is all about accessing a reflection then a realization. I do not deny to you that their reactions were immediately enthusiastic! The inspiration, for some artist that it either is necessary, not to say crucial to creation. Jerusalem, thus helped them to be exceeded, be transcended.
I still had the joy to have been able to discover new talented artists within my meetings, my travels. What luck but also what work you will say! Before becoming a DJ mix album, OPUS is firstly a true human adventure. That's what I like. People, are not easily deceived. The trueness, the authentic, the sincerity, for they are the feelings of what people really want. Especially in a society who confuses knowing, unfortunately at the expense of expertise!
A song always speaks to us about its time, directly or indirectly, by its writing or its interpretation, by the choice of the tonalities, or the absence of tonality, by the place and the role allotted to the instruments, the voices, it is easy not only to recognize a style, but also the general spirit of an era.
Every song or song title is a souvenir, a picture… for me it's more than evidence, an obviousness, in all its diversity, its richness, the electronic music excels combining emotions and sending the messages. No doubt about that.
Why then only one CD while the preceding volumes contained both? Quite simple, after careful consideration, exchanges within my label company and other feedback from fans, a simple CD seemed to be the best compromise in the evolution of the OPUS series.
Especially because I have the wish and the desire to leave two volumes of OPUS per year instead one and only one before! These two annual volumes will allow me to concentrate on quality and present a new chapter faster to you. In some kinds, a double make annual for more discoveries and trips… Travelling without moving! Which in turn will also enable me to be reinvented more quickly and to then better surprise you!
When you have listened several times you will have impregnated yourselves with all the tracks on this new OPUS, you will place yourself there within your own images and nobody will be able to remove them. They will be a part of your own vision, your personal interpretation of this OPUS. You will also be naturally inclined to listen to new tracks from artists that I made you discover or rediscover through this new OPUS.
This OPUS was another trip, which drew its strength and its richness in a unique city in the world, which holds us in breath as well by its beauty as by its grace. I then leave you in company of this new OPUS Quarto as in the hands of the best producers and musicians of the moment. As for me, I turn over to my new mission, that of OPUS Qunito and it has only just begun….
I finally want to thank you for your long-term and daily support you have shown me through social networks. Know that you all, have a chosen place in my life. For you I like to challenge, myself and meet new challenges.
Mr Sam : Its very important for me as said in the Booklet’s text that its not a politic CD at all. Music often succeeded where Politics failed. I don’t want to enter the topic because its very sensitive for many and I’m only a DJ & Producer. My role isn’t to talk about serious things like this. The Album is about Jerusalem the town itself and all it represents. That’s all. It’s like doing a CD about New York without talking about 9/11. All I can say is that Jerusalem is far away to what you can see on TV. I’ve been there a few times and it’s such a nice city with nice people. Go there and experience it ! I saw on TV over there that they had 35% more tourists compare to last year at the same time. It says it all.
Dimitri: Have you included in this compilation tracks from Jewish producers and what about in the future having a compilation that in each volume you will select tracks from producers that are coming from the specific country that each volume will be dedicated?
Mr Sam : Its true to I met some local producers while I first visited Israel. They have many talented upcoming producers over and once again I wanted the OPUS Serie to evolve on every chapter/Volume. Including local producers from every new location I’m gonna choose is part of the plan. It makes sense right ? Who else more than local know the place better? its also a chance for the locals to “defend their own colors”. It’s also a good way to make the cd very special every time and not take the same producers again and again. This means that I’m bringing a lot of new talents to Black Hole Recordings as well. I’m very happy later on to see them doing remixes and evolving. I feel no proud but just some happiness. The OPUS Serie concept is always evolving and bringing new things on the table, its not static at all. I’m working on the new volume at the moment as well.
Dimitri: Are there any other cities or countries that you would like to dedicate future volumes of your compilation and why you select the particular countries?
Mr Sam : I do yes. A lot. But very special places that haven’t been done before. You’ll never see me doing a cd on a very big city like New York or London. I need to feel some kind of spirituality or history. That’s the first time that I’m dedicating an OPUS Volume to a city. It has been done a lot before, I do know it. Global Underground for example. But Nobody ever did Jerusalem before so I am happy to be the first DJ to dedicate an album to the holy city. I already know my next city but I’ll keep it for me as we speak… a bit more patience and you’ll know it.
Dimitri: Was it a difficult or an easy process to select the final tracklisting and is it possible to tell us why this volume is just one CD and the previous one was a double CD?
Mr Sam : Its also very difficult to find good tracks. Especially lately. Its already hard to find some good releases tracks (means picked up by A&R) so imagine looking about brand new talents… sounds like an impossible Quest when you think about it. I do have a very way for scouting new talents. It takes me a lot of time but the result is always pleasing me so does many others. I cant hide you that I do like it more than everything. Its such a great feeling when I do find a new guy, a new massive track. That’s my thing !!!
Dimitri: You selected for this CD 13 brand new tracks that people don’t know them and listen to them for the first time in this compilation. Do you feel that this is a challenge for the commercial success of the compilation and maybe would be better if you have included and some big hits in order to attract the attention of the buyer or you feel better by introducing brand new tracks to your audience?
Mr Sam : That’s the OPUS concept since day. Nobody done it before and I was the first one to do it. I thought it was more than obvious that only a few people will buy a cd where all the tracks were all available on the digital portals. If they were, they were only buying the fact the tracks are mixed and yes, a pix of me on the front… is this enough honestly ?? I don’t think so. Look what I wrote 2 years ago on the OPUS Secundo booklets text about it !!
“I am also happy to see that my OPUS concept, which I created completely independently several years ago, has inspired many others to do the same in the field of electronic music. Many famous Djs have been inspired by OPUS to create their own mix album. I am at the same time flattered and happy to see that finally my basic and adventurous idea has now become the norm in the field of mix albums.
Many of them have complimented me on this revolutionary and innovative concept using exclusively titles composed especially for OPUS. This approval was not won quickly and I had, at the time, to convince people of the relevance of my artistic approach as well as the viability of the project itself.
I take no personal glory from this but simply the feeling of having, in my own time, been able to analyse the evolution of tastes in music, thought deeply about it and set my project in motion in a sustainable way.”
Dimitri: Did you mixed it live or is it totally mixed with the aid of computer software? Are you in favor of recorded “Live at a gig” compilations or you prefer the ones that are manipulated in a computer?
Mr Sam : Its kind of half and half. Between a live mixing and editing later on.
A Live Mix is interesting but not sure that in term of sound it will be the best for a release. I see the OPUS Serie as a chiillout Serie with Beats, if you see what I mean. I cant see myself playing a full on trance track on a cd. I do prefer to keep this for the clubs. And finaly, I’m not a PC, I’m a MAC
01. Thomas DeColita - Jerusalem (Opus Quarto Intro)
Mr Sam : What else I can say except the fact that this is a beauty. I got in touch directly with Thomas on skype. We met, we talked and I asked him to do it. I told him exactly what I wanted and we even did work on it together while being online, for the arrangement, sound design etc. It’s a virtual work. Nice experience. Thomas is musicals gifted and needs more attention.
02. Amurai featuring Sean Ryan - Killing Me Inside (Intro Mix)
Mr Sam : Manvel sent me a few tracks but the first one I heard was Killing Me Indise. I asked this one and he said that it was already signed. I was so so disappointed. But he got back to me and said he had problems with the deal he got so I “jump” on it and sign it straight away. I was so happy that day. I listened the track more than 10 times ! Yeah…….
03. Makotrax - Persuade Me
Mr Sam : Great unknown and upcoming producers from Japan. First he sent me the track with a vocal on it but didn’t like the vocal. I asked for an instrumental and sign it. First time I’m using a Deamau5ish track with the 8bars note but I fall in Love with this one.
04. Pinkflood featuring Tiff Lacey - Someone Like You (James Nelson Like Prog Remix)
Mr Sam : The story about this one is a bit funny. I played this track for almost a year in my podcast and had very good feedbacks about it. So when the time to make the tracklisting came I thought about that one… BUT I’m only taking exclusive, unsigned tracks and it wasn’t. I made some researches and found it on beatport.. but not the mix that I had. So I contacted the label and they told us, that the mix I had never been released. Jackpot ! my problem was solved
05. Mr Sam featuring Kirsty Hawkshaw - One Day (KhoMha Remix)
Mr Sam : Khomha is a very good upcoming producers. He already did a remix for my previous single “Invincible”. I knew that he could make a good version of “One Day”. We talked about it and told him exactly what I was looking for. He didn’t take him much time to produce it. I’m very pleased with the result, so does the dancefloors !
06. KhoMha - Sharem (Sunrise Mix)
Mr Sam : Same things. I told him I was looking for some tracks for the new OPUS 4 and he really wanted to be part of it. He sent me a few ones including this one. How could I refuse ?
07. Mr Sam vs. Fred Baker present As One - Forever Waiting (Sesta Remix)
Mr Sam : A classic for many. The first not Tiesto track released on Magik Muzik back in time. A very good souvenir. I thought it was time to remix it, especially for an album about Jerusalem. Out there I met Oren Naim aka Dj Sesta. He gave me a cd with a few demos on it. I listened to it while being in the car and I was blown away. I signed the 2 tracks and asked him to do a remix of “Forever Waiting” straight away ! How Cool is that !!!!
08. Natho - Dreamer’s Symphony
Mr Sam : Another very good upcoming producer from Japan. Very musical gifted! The version you can hear on the CD is the version 07 I think. I asked a lot of changes to have the track as perfect as it could be. I also did send some vocals adlibs snippet to features in the track.
09. Sesta – Runaway
Mr Sam : As I said I signed it in the car while driving in the old city of Jerusalem. Its nothing else than the truth… What a great memory it is for me. Timeless !
10. Nuera featuring Szen - Love Lost (Electro Mix)
Mr Sam : Very good producer together with a brand new singer. Good duo on this track like the beauty and the beast. Strong track with a massive drive together with a soft vocal. I loved it at the first listen.
11. Ruby & Tony – Hindi
Mr Sam : Extremly good producers coming from Israel. This track is a bomb. I played it a lot in my Dj sets, especially when I was in the US and ouch…. The people went nuts on this one. One of my favorite on the album for sure !! Keep an eye on those guys !!
12. Sesta - On Fire
Mr Sam : As I said I signed it in the car while driving in the old city of Jerusalem. Its nothing else than the truth… What a great memory it is for me. Timeless !
13. Moonpax – Ahava
Mr Sam : A pure trance track to finish the CD and what a track. I love it straight away as well. Very well produced and so emotional. Ahave means Love in Hebrew.
Mr Sam : I already started the tour yes. I was in Germany then In Tunisia, then In Israel for a few dates, I’m going next week in Swdeden for a secial OPUS 4 tour vs FSOS (Future Sound of Sweden) for a special 3 hours Set In Stockholm. I’m really looking forward to this. Will be like a Christmas gift for me
Dimitri: Do you have any dates confirmed for this tour yet?
Mr Sam : I’ll also be going to the US in February, Poland, Dominican Republic for the first time and we’re working ona lot of new dates as well including south America etc….
Dimitri: One of my favorite questions to all the djs is that one about self-reflection and self-criticism. Out of 10 with what score do you rate the various elements of your dj performances and why?
Mr Sam: a) your mixing skills:
9/10, I’m a bpm machine and I’m not mixing with a computer !!
b) your ability to choose the right track for the right occasion:
8/10, when you’re a Dj for a long time, you’re feeling those kind of things.
c) your friendly attitude towards the fans that are coming to shake your hand when you perform and after that?
10/10 : I’m Mr Nice Guy. I’m most of the time leaving the club last and not always in the best shape . In other words, I’m a party animal. I only see myself making the people dance for 2-3 hours and then I’m a clubber myself.
Dimitri: We are just some days before the coming of the new year and it will be good to look back at 2010 and choose for us:
Mr Sam: a)Your Top 5 tracks for 2010 and small comment
1 – BT – Suddenly (Mr Sam Remix)
2 – Heatbeat & Exit - Go (Joint Operations Centre remix)
3 – Mr Sam Vs Fred Baker – Forever Waiting (Sesta Remix)
4 – Ruby & Tony – Hindi
5 – Faithless – Not Going Home (Armin Van Buuren Remix)
b)Your Top 3 personal gigs for 2010
1- OPUS 4 In Israel
2- Ministry of Sound (Kuala Lumpur)
3- OPUS 4 Tunisia
4- 1015 San Francisco
5- Pop Model Tour in Israel
c)Your best producer, best remixer, best newcomer dj or producer for 2010
Mr Sam : Dj Sesta as Dj, remixer and producer !!!! All the way.
e)Your best record label of the year and the best music video of the year 2010.
Mr Sam : Ed Banger and all Kanyes West videos.
Dimitri: Do you enjoy shooting music videos for your releases and from the ones that you have done so far which one is your best and why?
Mr Sam : I did enjoy shooting the “Invicible” music video in Miami on Ocean Drive with Andy Duguid. Was fun.
Dimitri: From the videos that Black Hole recordings has in its you tube web page at the moment which one if your favorite and you totally recommend to people to watch it?
Mr Sam :I love the BT videos a lot, the one with Jes.
Dimitri: Please tell us how your radio show is going at the moment and if there will be any serious amendments in the future? Do you remember the episode that was more fun to produce and why?
Mr Sam : I still have my Made in Trance show for years now. Its on Itunes every week and also on Contact radio in France (national radio). I’m doing it for 6 years. I never count but I think I’m around 300 episodes as well. I’m more for quality rather than quantity. I’m always not that good sometimes to promote myself, that’s my mistake
Dimitri: Many people think that djs and electronic music producers are so busy with their career that never find enough time to fell in love with someone. I wonder if you are in love at the moment and if love plays a crucial role in your life to inspire and motivate you? Is there any famous lovesong that you would like to remix or recreate in Mr Sam style?
Mr Sam : Dj is a very very special work. Especially for having a family life. I’m never talking about my personal life but all I can tell you is that its not the easiest thing to do. Its like this and we have to face it.
Dimitri: Finally please give us your message for Christmas and New Years Eve. What you wish for you and for the people all over the globe?
Mr Sam : Will sound cliché but I hope that everyone will have a good Christmas time. Don’t care about the presents, the money etc… simply have a good time in good health with family and good friends and …..relax. All the rest is bla bla…
Thanks for coming to my shows & see you soon somewhere on the planet!!
Lots of Love,
Mr Sam
Many thanks to Mr Sam for replying in this interview in a such great way and I believe is an instresting and intriguing text to read from its start till the finishing lines
Many thanks to Jeroen at Black Hole offices who has helped me so much to organize this interview and have it ready on time to publish it
Many thanks to Mark at Black Hole offices for his fantastic support in my shows
The CD is available at:
Black Hole Shop
http://www.dobuymail.com/finenight//product_info.php/cPath/109/products_id/205384?osCsid=eha8t6ujocd9tm4510bt05hso1
The digital download is available through:
Beatport:
https://www.beatport.com/en-US/html/content/release/detail/305239/Opus%20Quarto
Additional info:
http://www.mrsam.tv/
www.facebook.com/mrsamtv
www.myspace.com/mrsam_tv
http://www.blackholerecordings.com/
Please check the videos:
