Jubei, exclusively signed to Goldie's titan Metalheadz imprint. has over the last few years, through his consistent high quality intense productions (both solo and high profile collaborations) built a name for himself as a razor sharp technician in the studio and a tight selector on the decks.  

His two acclaimed EP's for Metalheadz in 2010 set him up nicely for his forthcoming LP next year.  A release which will surely be on my pre order list as soon as it comes around.

We caught up with Jubei to find a bit more about the man behind the beats…


Example : Who would you say has influenced your productions both in and outside drum and bass?

Jubei : Thats very hard to say, i don't think i could pinpoint anyone or any thing that influences me. Its more moods or feelings, i could be out at a club and the vibe of the night can make me want to go home and write something or i could be in a car and hear something on the radio that gives me an idea or simply listening to tunes and thinking, i like that but i want to make something better / different.

Example : Can you remember the first piece of music you bought?  Tell us about it.

Jubei: I don't remember exactly, it was either some NOW THATS WHAT I CALL MUSIC something on 12" record or it was these 7" The Jungle Book records, i had loads of them.

Example : What's your production setup?

Jubei:  A very very basic set up, i am running Cubase SX 5 on a PC, Korg K25 midi controller, Mackie 824's, and two 17" Acer monitors. I also have a TLAudio valve compressor and a Lexicon MPX 200, both have never been plugged in and are currently being used as stands for one of my Acer monitors.

Example : Can you tell us much about the album?  What sort of level of completion is it?  When's it due?  What can we expect from it ?

Jubei: The album is coming along nicely thanks, i cant really describe it as a "Album" yet because its still at the stage where i am writing all kinds of tracks, some with different tempos, not finishing them and putting them into a pot then starting the next one. It has no real identity or scheme as of yet, but saying that, with some of the tracks there does seem to be a mood / thread tying them together. I would like to think i am half way or maybe more with it. If every thing runs to schedule we are looking to release it early next year.

Example :You worked with Goldie when he produced an orchestra piece for BBC.  How did that compare to writing drum and bass?

Jubei : It was amazing, there was a lot for me to take in and get my head around. Goldie had a bounce of some of the music he had made at this point, i loaded it up into the studio computer and we had to add percussion to the piece, it was mental because it wasn't like anything i had done before, with all the different sized music sections / bars and constant changes. It was a huge learning curve for me, once we had done the percussion Goldie took it back to them and they transferred the MIDI data that we gave them onto Sibelius which scores the information so the orchestra can read it. I was invited to rehearsals and i watched this 170 piece orchestra perform the whole thing. I had never seen an orchestra before. Watching the percussion i helped add to the part being played by human beings which was amazing, and then to see this all again, performed live at the Royal Albert Hall was something i will never forget.

Example : Who would be your dream collaborator?

Jubei: Some obvious one's but i would love to work on music, any kind, with Quincy Jones, Dr Dre, Hi Tek, Pharrell Williams, Kanye West and if they were still alive.. Bob Marley, Michael Jackson, Frank Sinatra and Amy Winehouse.

Example : A lot of producers start their own imprint these days. Is that something you'd like to do?

Jubei : I would like to do that, yes. But not just yet, i feel you have to earn it, i don't see the point in me doing that at the minute, i am happy with who i work with. In the future i will, i like the idea of building something up and hopefully build a team with the label.

Example : First thing you do in the morning?

Jubei : Go straight to the kitchen and make Tea or Coffee.

Example : What’s your favourite food?

Jubei : I love Italian food and wine.

Example :What’s your favourite dinosaur?

Jubei : A close call between Tyrannosaurus Rex or Velociraptor.

 

Example : Tell us something about you we don't know.?

Jubei : I used to swim a lot when i was younger and i used to take part in swimming gala's and races, loads of them. I never ever lost one single gala or race in my life !


Example :  Whats the tune your most proud of making?

Jubei: I don't think i have written it, yet !

Example :  What 3 tunes are never out of your box at the moment and why ?

Jubei : Of the top of my head i would have to say..

: dBridge - Cornered - Metalheadz = dBridge has pulled the breaks out on this one, its sounds amazing everywhere and its so damn funky. Sick drum programming, slick drum edits and gliding bass.
: Skeptical & Dub Phizix - Marka feat Strategy - Exit Records = Very Ragga influenced tune, stands out a mile and always gets a big reaction. Clean production and Strats killed the vocal, sure to be a very big tune !
: Trinity - I Feel - Chronic = I have been finishing with this for a few months now, its Dillinja at his best from 2000 and nothing stands up to it. Massive drums, classic Dillinja vocal sample and the bass is ridiculous, bass sickly !

Example : Finally do you keep your ketchup in the fridge or the cupboard?

Jubei : In the fridge of course, are you mad ?!?!?