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::: Rollo Interviews :::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
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::: Introduction :::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Created: August 29 1996
Copyright 1996 by Andreas Sikkema
See the end of this file for more detailed copyright info and for the date
and time of the last addition.
If you find any spelling errors etc., please contact me. English is not my
native language, that's why I sometimes have trouble with spelling and
grammar etc. Please accept my sincere apologies for these errors.
Disclaimer:
I am in no way connected to Rollo, Cheeky or any other person or company
described in this discography. This discography is made by me for people
that are interested in Rollo Armstrong and his work.
::: Contacting me ::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Additions, corrections, and inquiries to ramdyne@gmx.net
The current version of this file is available from:
http://www.exs4all.nl/~ramdyne/Rollo/i_bg_3_1996.txt
Check also the file assumption.txt about the way I think all these
artist names are connected to each other.
::: Bassic Groove nr. 3, 1996 :::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Text: Jeroen Kant
Rollo is a well known English producer off acts like Felix, Kristine W and
Gloworm. He is also known for his remixes. He made remixes for example for
M-People, U2 and Björk. He recently remixed Roxy Music's "Love is the drug".
With his latest project, Faithless, Rollo scored well in the clubs and in
the charts. When he was recently in the Netherlands with Maxie Jazz, the
rapper from Faithless, I talked to them. Although he has scored many hits,
he still hasn't got the attitude that some "stars" have. When I met him he
was reading some book.
BG: Are you also interested in literature?
Rollo: Yes, I have many interests. I like to read. Wuthering Heights by Jane
Austen is one of my favourites.
BG: What was your first single?
Rollo: "Don't you want me" from Felix. I had just come back from Australia,
where I went to school. I had just bought a keyboard and a computer so I
couldn't work that well with it. Together with two friends of mine we made
that song and strange enough it became a big hit with 2.5 million copies
sold. I think the song sounded as new and refreshing as it did in those
days, because we didn't knew what was happening in the scene. I still don't
know. I almost never go out, the music in clubs is often to loud and I like
to got to bed early.
BG: After "Don't you want me" there came other productions.
Rollo: The record company wanted a new single and that became "It will make
me crazy". After that I started more projects like Frankë and Gloworm.
Slowly I got more and more requests for remixes. I have by the way just
finished one for Björk and before that I did some for Snap, Simply Red,
Usura U2 and many more.
BG: Do you take on every remix assignment?
No, definitely not, I reject more requests than I take on. The other day I
wrote down which artists I rejected. Look, stars like Blur, Queen or
Michael Jackson have hits, whether I remix it or not. It has to be a
challenge and I have to have the feeling that I can add something to the
song.
BG: You did a lot of remixes for chart artists, do you think that they
appreciate house more than they used to?
Rollo: No, I think people have taken house always serious, the record
companies just didn't. They suddenly think it's necessary to do a house
remix of every single.
BG: You've got your own label.
Rollo: That's right, a friend of mine, Mel Medalie, is owner of Champion
Records and I wanted my own label and that became Cheeky. Everything I
Release comes out on that label. Faithless, my new project is also on it.
BG: You hired a rapper for Faithless.
Rollo: Yes, I wanted to do something with a rapper again, but in an
original way. I went looking for someone who was different than other and
through a mutual friend I met Maxie Jazz.
BG: How did you get started?
Maxie: In 1984 I started DJ-ing in London and a few years later I made
an hiphop album that because of some problems never has been released.
When Rollo listened to some tracks he got so excited that we
immediately recorded "Salva Mea".
BG: Do you consider yourself as a commercial rapper?
Maxie: Crossover you mean?
BG: Well, ehhhhhh.
Maxie: No definitely not. I am involved in dance-music in any form. By
way of this project I can tell the world my story at the same time.
BG: Are you going to perform live?
Maxie: Yes, we will be a real band. Sister Bliss (a well known UK DJ
and artist on Cheeky) is playing the keyboards. The vocalist from the
new single will be there, a drummer and Rollo and myself off course.
Early March we were in the Jazz Café in London and maybe we will tour
the rest of Europe.
We will also start making a movie soon. It is a rewritten love-story
from the 18th century, Faithless will be doing the music and I will
be playing the main character. From this movie will a video-clip be
distilled which will be on TV very soon.
BG: Rollo, what are your plans for the future?
Rollo: I am planning on extending my own label Cheeky, it has to
become one big family. It may sound a little daft, but that's the
way I like it to be. So far Cheeky as only released club-music, but
recently we added a soul and rock band to the family. Furthermore
I'd like to continue what I'm doing now.
The new CD from Faithless, Reverence, has now been released on Cheeky
Discography
Productions:
Felix - Don't you want me
Felix - It will make me crazy
Frankë - Understand this groove
High on love - In my world
Gloworm - I lift my cup
Kristine W - Feel what u want
Our Tribe - I believe in u
Our Tribe feat. Sabrina Johnson - What hope have I?
Rollo goes camping - Get off your high horse
OT Quartet - Hold that sucker down
Gloworm - Carry me home
Our Tribe feat. Frankë - Love come home
Faithless - Salva Mea
Faithless - Insomnia
Faithless - Reverence (album)
Remixes (f.e.)
M-People - How can I love you more
Captain Hollywood - Only with u
AB Logic - The hitman
Pet Shop Boys - Can you forgive her
Shola - Love, respect & happiness
The Wonderstuff - Full of life
Gabriëlle - Dreams
Usura - Sweat
U2 - Numb
3rd Nation - I believe
Wonderstuff - Full of life
Raze - Break for love
Snap - Rhythm is a dancer
Simply Red - Fairground
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This translation is Copyright 1996 by Andreas Sikkema.
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Please ask for permission before publishing this discography (in print, off
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20:34 29-08-96 All Rights Reserved