Ben Davis talked to IDJ Magazine to go through all things Paper; covering the label’s history, the compilation albums, running a label in digital times, the good old days and a whole load of other stuff.
Click on the picture for the full article.
We asked the mercenaries and outlaws of The Wild Army a few questions.
If you had to join an army, which one would it be?
Mr. Tea – The Army of Dreamers (ask Kate Bush).
Benjamin Eh (Ben Arnold) – The Salvation Army.
Leca Lecara – Wild Army.
Leon Sweet – Vinyl Rotator & Button Flicker – Rebel Alliance Special Forces, with Chewy by my side.
What’s the wildest night you’ve ever had out?
Mr Tea – A night that ended with an orgy with the entire cast and crew of Lord Of The Rings still in costume.
Benjamin Eh – A night out with the Salvation Army at Amnesia, 1983. I still have the trombone burns.
Leca – Must be some of them good old rave nights back in the days. Used to go proper out of hands.
Leon Sweet – Ha! I’ll save that for my memoirs 
Favourite monster flick?
Mr Tea – The Thing. Easily.
Benjamin Eh – Jaws II.
Leca – Godzilla. Insane special effects!
Leon Sweet – Jaws, that dead dude in the bottom of the boat made me jump so fuckin’ hard I kneed myself in the face and cut my lip watching that film as a kid.
What bit of studio gear are you currently rocking the hardest at the moment?
Mr Tea – I just picked up a rare Soviet Synthesizer called the Opus. Pics to come.
Benjamin Eh – The Korg Minilogue.
Leca – Riding my beloved Elektron Trinity rack, Octa, Rytm & A-4.
Leon Sweet – Maschine Studio, Fifth Mode was produced entirely on it.
Project Sound is the follow up to last year’s Project Fear compilation and keeps it global with the freshest house music originating from South Africa to Norway and the USA to dear old Blighty.
There are new artists to the label like Tumisang Pooe, Mark Zowie, Erik Skantze, A Band Called Oh and Mr Tea as well as more familiar names like Flash Atkins, Fingerman, Daco, Jonny Miller, Mental Overdrive, Ryan Kick, Leca, 2 Billion Beats, Kimo and Rave-enka as part of Nattmat. Tracks cover the deeper side of house but all pack punch and sealed with the Paper stamp of approval.
Buy it on JUNO and all good digital shops.
Sean Johnston (ALFOS) – Really like Kimo Trance and Zowie you know!
Mark Farina – Nice comp.
Pete Herbert – Quality tackle ..Erik Skantze and Kimo my favs.
Fingerman – Great variety on this!
Pathaan – S U P E R B !
James Rod – BIG SUPPORT!
Fernando – Couple great tracks here. Rainbows is my favourite.
Aldrin Zouk (Zouk) – Nice package! Especially diggin’ I.R.S.A.N.S, Twenty Sixteen, Nakenbad. Thanks!!
Buy it on Juno Beatport Traxsource itunes and all good download shops
EXCLUSIVES
It’s been a while since the last Paper Cuts so we’ve got a stockpile of bonafide, road tested bombs that hit every every button labeled ‘rave’. From subterranean acid to disco bangers, it’s a collection that stretches two and half years at the coal face of house.
From Norway we have Ralph Myerz‘s epic fourteen minute ‘Acid 4 Eddie’, Tromsø legend Doc L Jnr’s wonky ‘Twilight’, Diskobeistet’s nu-disco ‘Birkelunden’ and ‘Gammal Morro’ plus young guns Rave-Enka and De Fantastiske To. Closer to home the Flash Atkins Gilles Peterson endorsed ‘Drug Empire’ and Andrew Weatherall favourite ‘Acid House Creator’ make an appearance, Daco brings his nu tech-soul and 2 Billion Beats do their thing. Kit Tacchini goes deep, Kimo shows his colours as one to watch, Weedyman drives it home and Chris Massey’s mix of Richard Seaborne still does damage.
We’ve also got exclusives from Neil Quigley and Mezman who take things deep and dance floor plus Leon Sweet’s Zed that walks the line between disco, techno, house and old school beautifully.
Overall it’s a damn fine snapshot of where the label has been and where it’s going with music that no discerning DJ should be without.
Paper Recordings….the story continues.
2015 saw Flash Atkins release his debut album ‘The Life and Times’ and it’s mix of club smashers and disco nodders found people like FK, Andrew Weatherall, Horse Meat Disco, Ivan Smagghe, Rune Lindbaek and Bill Brewster getting hot under the collar.
Now comes the remix album with a collection of tracks some of which have only been out on vinyl and some not at all. It’s a roll call of who’s doing it right at the moment from the well known to the up and coming but all nail it. Names include The Revenge, The Emperor Machine, Sleazy McQueen, Pete Herbert, Tal M. Klein and Steve Cobby. Plus there’s a healthy representation from Norway in the form of Ralph Myerz, B.G.Baarregaard and Mental Overdrive. From the paper stable Leon Sweet, Doc L. Jnr step up and the elusive Jamie L turns out a 12 minute Detroit (by way of Halifax) monster.
So you’ve played the game, drunk the beer, danced to the tunes, read the fanzine, rolled your eyes at the middle aged man in tights and now you’ve got the remix album. Job done.
Craig Bratley – Great set of remixes, hard to pick a favourite.
Bill Brewster – Outstanding mixes from The Revenge and E Machine.
Sean Johnston (ALFOS) – Fantastic package – rinsed about four at ALFOS on Saturday.
Sleazy McQueen – Slimy, dirty package of low-brow house — just my type!
Tronik Youth – Great package
Nutritious – Tremendous Orgy. And the music is Freakin Sweet, too! ?????
Fingerman – Superb reworks from some top producers. Awesome!
Murray Richardson – Luvly F*ckn Jubly xx
Gemini Brothers – Don’t even know which one to choose! Amazing pack for summer!
Fernando (20 20 Sound System) – This is all great!
Get Down Edits – Great selection of remixes
Aldrin Zouk – Couple of tasty remixes; I’m diggin’ from Doc L Junior, The Revenge, The Emperor Machine, Steve Cobby, Sleazy McQueen & Romano Arcaini Remix.
Cosmic Capers Radio Show –
Class, class and more class…..this was one of my favourite dance albums of it’s year and I’ve loved all the remixes so far, then to get this is brilliant. Release of the year so far for me.
Lava Lava – Some absolute gems in this one! Really great vibes on the remixes from The Revenge, Pete Herbert, The Emperor Machine & Jamie L.
Deep South Audio – Excellent .. cant say more really .. Dope rmx package
Goldboy – Emperor Machine is the one for me.
De Fantastiske To – Some nice new remixes here! Cant get enough of Mental Overdrive´s party chugger though !
Andy (Inland Knights) – Great release ……loving The Revenge / Leon Sweet / The Emperor mixes…but all cuts are wicked t b h…..thanks:)
80s Child – Top draw this really liking it :)
Nathan Detroit – Lovely selection of choice remixers here..
A – Crazy P – Last Knockers
AA1 – Steve Cobby – Boule De Suif
AA2 – Flash Atkins – Rivers of Jordan (PAP200 Edit)
Oh boy, that came around quick! One day we’re faxing giant penises to magazines and the next we’ve got kids and are on our 200th single release. It’s been 22 years since we kicked things off with Salt City Orchestra’s The Book and In the intervening years we’ve hopefully carved out our little corner in the pantheon of house music. We’ve lived by our first “hidden” message on PAP001 “Look Forward Not Back” and have been keeping on keeping on with barely a glance over our shoulder but this is chance to buy ourselves a pint.
PAP200 will be three tracks from friends new and old on a limited edition 12” released on Record Store Day in numbered brown paper bags. Crazy P(enis) return to the fold for the first time since 2003 and it’s good to have them back. Last Knockers has got their trademark stripped back electronic funk with Danielle Moore adding the disco fizz. There’s plenty of wonk and roll as it builds over 10 glorious minutes.
When Steve Cobby was asked what Paper meant to him he said “Northern Musical heritage” and we’ll take that. He has been knocking it out the park over the last couple of years and this is his debut release for the label. Boule De Suif is a trip through funk and soul that is timeless but of it’s time. It’s what Herbie would sound like if he grew up in Hull.
Finally Flash Atkins goes down a more conventional route and it’s got his trademark layered sound. What starts as a straight forward deep house track evolves with trippy vocals and a chorus that brings the hairs up on the back of your neck. Mixmag liked it so much they gave it their Disco Single of the Month.
Our collection of the finest dance floor detonators returns for a third helping and on this hat trick appearance we welcome new friends to the fold alongside some of Paper’s tried & tested boogie constructors.
Volume 2 featured in sets from respected selectors such as Maurice Fulton, The Unabombers, Ray Mang, Pete Herbert, Chris Duckenfield, Fingerman & Leftside Wobble (amongst many) and blazed it’s way to the top of the Juno charts. Leon Sweet’s Sunny Bigler became undoubtedly THE track of the Summer and was heard at Electric Elephant, The Garden Festival, Festival Number 6, The Warehouse Project, BBC6 Music and was Mixmag’s ‘Tune Of The Month”.
Volume 3 keeps on keeping on with some fresh faces but seasoned producers none the less; Julian Sanza, Red Rack’em, Get Down Edits & Kohib all provide killer cuts alongside members of the Paper family such as Kooky & Damoon, Rave-enka, Beat Boy, Robot 84, Flash Atkins with Crazy P’s Danielle Moore plus Chris Massey who debuts the birth of a new collaboration project with Homoelectric’s Will Tramp.
New blood comes from Kohib, Gold Boy, Spiral, Skinny Dipp, DJ Steevo, Smashed Atoms & Spleen Underground who all make their presence well & truly known.
From chopped up disco & mutant boogie to peak time smashers & after party crashers, prepare for Trash The Wax 3 and hold tight!
Mark Farina:
“Yes! Good stuff indeed!”
Soul Clap:
“Definitely some crack-on moments here!”
Sean Johnston (Hardway Bros/ALFOS):
“Deckard’s The Warriors is a biggie!”
Sleazy McQueen
“I’ve loved the first two installments and can’t wait to hear this one!”
Harri (Sub Club):
“Robot 84 is the standout here for me!”
Moodymanc:
“Some great grooves here, thanks!”
DJ Rocca:
“Great collection of usefull tracks…finally my friend’s edit on the Warriors is gonna be out!”
Yam Who:
“Slamming album guys! Keep it up”
Fingerman:
“Nice selection of edits and new gear. Some heavy rotation is guaranteed here!”
Situation:
“This is such a cool diverse album – tons of plays right here!”
Gemini Brothers:
“Damn what a release! Support for sure!”
Wrighty/Soul Buggin‘:
“Dunn & Massey is the absolute stand out for me, proper tops off and poppers at 3am acid disco Flash Atkins and GDE are also worth a spin or two”
Mexico City resident La Guardia De La Luz is back on Paper with three tracks of deep timeless house music. Think Southport weekender early doors and you’re on the right tip.
First up Surface has some heavy atmospherics along with distorted vocal snatches and sax. An industrial drum clonk comes in halfway through for added swing and grunt before the track drifts back to the original groove.
Sol has a walking bassline and organ with noodly guitar before the minor chord keys are introduced at the break. Then it’s back in with added percussion, lead synth lines and you’ve it’s the perfect warm up tune.
Finally Post Junk Libido keeps to the same formula of delayed keys and heavy ambience but with a left field arrangement aimed at the head. The final three minutes fade out on a floaty cloud of chords and twinkly business.
Read the Juno review HERE
This summer’s Paper Radio is a festival special with forthcoming appearances at Festival Number 6 and Moovin’. We’ve got interviews with Raf Daddy of The Two Bears, Herbie Sacciani from Moovin’ and Late Nite Tuff Guy. There’s the latest and greatest from Paper plus some exclusive first plays of releases that won’t be out until well in to next year.
All held down by Ben Davis and special guest Chris Massey talking penis T-Shirts, new labels and music
festivalnumber6.com/
www.moovin.info/
Sophie Lloyd – It’s Bad U Know
De Fantastiske To – Folk Og Ferie
Flash Atkins – Summer of Love (The Emperor Machine Mix)
THE 2 BEARS INTERVIEW
The 2 Bears – Not This Time (Brennan Green Remix)
Doc L. Junior – Twilight (Jori Hulkkonen Mix)
Dunn & Massey – Red Room Disco (4am at Homoelectric Mix)
Kohib – Talk To Me
La Guardia De La Luz – Post-Junk Libido
Flash Atkins – Acid House Creator (Ralph Myerz Mix)
HERBIE SACCANI INTERVIEW
Leon Sweet – Sunny Bigler (Leftside Wobble Mix)
Proviant Audio – Drifting
De Fantastiske To – Monokrom feat. OST
Kimo – Whirl
Daco – Faith feat. Mike Rapheal
LATE NITE TUFF GUY INTERVIEW
Late Nite Tuff Guy – Do U Wanna Get Down?
Leeds’ finest is back on Paper with an EP showing off his chops as a producer on his uppers backed up by two remixes that have gone for the jugular and got a clean bite.
The original is an 80s influenced deep houser that will sound equally at home on a beach at sunset in the adriatic, bass quaking a festival rig or on a European motorway at 3am. With synth washes and a filtered riff it hypnotises it’s way to a state of balearic dancefloor heaven.
Renata takes it’s pointers from the mid-90s with a pad bringing to mind a time when acid house was getting it’s feet under the table. Add a big synth lead, stabby bass, strings and the spirit of the Beloved and Sub Sub is summoned up for the 00s.
In a game of two halves (Brian) Flash Atkins’ mix is all about the build. The deep and techy first section rides the one note bass and filtered synth with added Moog. It’s a steady reach for the break when things get kicked loose as the track is taken down to it’s raw elements. The bass changes and things are built back up synth by synth. Once it reaches it’s peak, take cover or you’re liable to get injured in the maelstrom.
Mark Farina:
” Yes..like em!”
Justin Harris:
“Nice EP – well done mate :)”
Danielle Moore (Crazy P):
“The original and Flash are the ones for me.”
Gemini Brothers (Nein):
“Flash Atkins as always a top master!”
Sean Johnston/Hardway Bros:
“Killer release!”
B.G. Baarregaard:
“Very good release. Renata, what a track!”
Mutant Disco Radio:
“Another Rave-enka’s hit. Love it.’
Tici Taci Music:
“Another quality release from Paper. Loving the original and the Flash remix of “Serious”. (The breakdown in Flash’ version is sublime).”
Ralph Myerz:”Very very nice stuff from Mr. Seaborne who always delivers the goods, full support! Really diggin Let’s Get Serious, will play A LOT this summer. All mixes are superb!”
Rave-enka:
“Amazing! Am loving “Renata” to bits, easily one of the best tunes I’ve heard in a long time. Full support!”
2 Billion Beats:
“Renata for me, reminds me of early Leftfield, awesome!”
Danny Oliver (High Soul Society):
“Love Flash Atkins Mix….perfect for my sets. Support”
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