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XRS.
The Latin drum'n'bass revolution has made Brazilian producers a major force over the past few years. Known for its positive vibe, its jazz and its soul-fuelled funk, Latin d'n'b has grown a strong fan base from those looking for a little more musicality in dance music. Starting with V recordings label head Bryan Gee's discovery of DJ Marky whilst in Brazil, followed by the likes of Patife and experienced producer and Innerground label boss Xerxes De Oliviera, known to his fans as XRS.
XRS was supposed to be touring Australia with Marky, but an unfortunate car accident is keeping him at home in Sao Paulo. It left him with a broken collarbone and no car but he has kept a positive mind about it. "In a sense it was good, because I've done a couple of tracks while here, and I'm also putting together some stuff for the label, deciding which artists would be released. We are really happy with the cast we just got. For now we have got Total Science, Digital, Logistics and Calibre." So expect some more relaxed soul that is still quite capable of rocking dance floors - especially with the added bonus of Nu: Tone doing a remix for the recently released Marky and XRS album 'In Rotation.'
While XRS has been a producer and close friend of DJ Marky for a little over a decade, it is only just lately he has started to get behind the decks himself. He did this so as to make it possible to tour with Marky, but it took an adjustment period. "In the beginning I was like 'oh my God! So many people looking at me!' I used to hide behind the decks," he chuckles. "But today it's alright." In fact he explains how much he wants to make his studio set-up more portable for the purpose of touring. He still may be more knowledgeable in the studio, but he now feels as much at home in the club.
As far as in the studio goes, there is still no definite process to making a tune. "Sometimes we might start with a bass line, sometimes a hi-hat, or sometimes with Marky singing some bullshit in my ear," XRS laughs. "We make jokes, talk, go out, eat popcorn, meet people, and the final product always sounds very different to what we started making."
You can see this positive minded, enjoyable approach come through in their music, with a very summery, upbeat vibe to much of their work. But it is not all the same vibe and direction for XRS, who says he will experiment more, and is in the process of finishing a few tunes for different labels: "I have a tune coming out on V Recordings called Snagglepuss, which is a nice roller, and on the b side is a harder techy tune, and another tune on DJ Wildchild's label. "
He's no stranger to musical experimentation, originally doing so under his Friendtronix moniker, and he wants to keep this spirit alive. This is to be expected from someone who listens to such a broad range of influences, originally finding the drum and bass scene through acid house and hardcore: "I hardly listen to drum and bass outside of the studio, I listen to a lot of jazz and soul, local cultural music. I looove deep house, a lot of that stuff coming out on that Naked Music label. You have to keep yourself open to everything."
One of the most noticeable factors of the new album are the collaborations, from other drum'n'bass producers to soul singers to Brazil's Minister For Culture and music star, Gil Gilberto. "He saw us at a festival with a big band and drum machine and really liked our stuff. I was making this track and I thought Gil Gilberto would be perfect to sing over this; he said he would love to and I was like 'ah... eh... oh...,' stumbling over my words."
Other collaboratiors include Mist, Cleveland Watkiss and Philadelphian soul singer Vikter Duplaix. With all the experienced performers it still remained an enjoyable, laid back experience in the studio though. "It was just about making friends in the studio, and having a good time. All the projects happened in such a way that it was just about friendship."
As someone who plays an integral part in the future of drum'n'bass it was positively reaffirming to hear a man that believed in it so fervently. "Drum'n'bass is so global now, especially with the Internet, and information being transferred so quickly," he enthuses. "Everyone is getting into it. We played a show in Serbia and there were 60,000 people there! I think drum and bass will become a global teacher, not just a buzz or a craze."
Tobi French
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DJ Marky and MC Stamina will be in Adelaide in May while XRS recuperates. 'In Rotation' out now through Inertia.
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