Global Ghettotech, that’s how Dj Umb from Generationbass.com defines his sound. Kuduro, Baile Funk, Nueva Cumbia, Dancehall, Techno-Brega, Dubstep…. Anything bass heavy or with traditional vibes. Check his mix & read his interview below:

Interview with DJ UMB / Generation Bass:

What are you up to at the moment?
Well I’m just preparing a trip to Morocco to DJ at some private beach for 2-3 nights at the Essaouira Jambash, which takes place alongside the main Festival. There is a whole group of us going from all over the world.
I will also then DJ with a famous Moroccan Artist called U-Cef at one of the world’s most beautiful venues, The Comptoir Darna, which has hosted parties for the likes of J-Lo, P Diddy, Roger Sanchez, Erik Morillo etc etc.. I have played there at least annually for the past 4 years.
I like to go and DJ there when I want to feel luxurious, extravagant & RICH…haaaaa….haaaaa

Can you introduce yourself to our community?
Well, I am DJ UMB. I have been dj’ing since November 2003 for fun mainly.
I started off as a specialist kind of Buddha Bar/Arabic House DJ but I have got into all sorts of different vibes since then. I just change my style to whatever I’m feeling most at the time and that is tickling my fancy.
I am part of a little but influential blog called GENERATION BASS (www.generationbass.com) founded by my partner, Vince The Prince aka Sonido Del Principe.
I have done lots in the past and have had some successful commercial releases as Shisha Sound System too. I am currently doing some dj’ing once in a while at a world famous Club/Bar/Restaurant in London (whose first home was in Paris) but that is more loungey/chill and house type of vibes.
We are hoping to start some Generation Bass parties because my love for music lies in the UNDERGROUND!

How did you get into music, what’s your musical magical background?
Man, I have been in love with music since about the age of 7 years. I dreamed about becoming a musician and was once in a rock band in London but nothing serious, just fun. Studies and University led to another path and career but I keep coming back to music again, again, again and again!
First loves, Elvis, Beatles then Led Zeppelin who led to me to everything from World (in particular Middle Eastern), to Jazz, Funk, Reggae, Classical, etc etc. I have a very open mind and will listen to almost anything provided it sounds great.
For just listening at home or in the car, I will listen to mainly global stuff, some traditional, rock and even Arabic pop some times.
For dj’ing, however, I am currently listening to all things Global Ghettotech!

Influences and family?
Led Zeppelin, Tom Waits, Claude Challe, Oum Kalthoum, Cowboy Junkies, Rush, Gustav Mahler, Neil Young, Jeff Buckley, Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, Radiohead, John Coltrane, Billie Holiday, Joao Gilberto, Fela Kuti…etc etc etc
Dj wise…Mad Decent, Zizek, Bersas Discos are hitting all the right notes at the moment & all those involved in the Global Ghettotech scene.
Married, 2 beautiful kids!

How would you define your blog sound?
I would define it as “Global Ghettotech”, to me that is Generation Bass which is a mix of Kuduro, Baile Funk, Nueva Cumbia, Dancehall, Elektro, Hip-Hop, Baltimore Club, Techno-Brega, Dubstep etc….anything with a bass heavy sound or funky traditional vibe.
However, Vince might define it differently…but that’s good because I really don’t like to pigeon-hole music.

Who you see coming on strong in the newcomers, why should we listen to them?
Well, I would like to think the whole Ghettotech scene is ready to explode thanks to artists like MIA, Santogold, Switch, Diplo, Toy Selectah etc etc. So just watch out for any releases on Mad Decent, ZIZEK and Bersas Discos.
Also watch our for Baandish Project, Villa Diamante, Barbarix, Schlachthofbronx, Sonido Del Principe, Sufi Dubstars, Basswreckers, Bassnectar, Celt Islam, Maluca, Modeselektor & Apparat, Ladybox, Blood Shake, Addiquit, Zuzuka Pederosa, Zakee Kuduro, Sticky K, L-Vis 1990, Jaime Fanatic, Peronists, Destroyers, Phil Retrospector, Simon Iddol, Turbo Tim, Major Rye Rye, Lazer, Frikstailers …man, there are so many …sorry if I’ve missed anybody etc.
For me the best DJ in the world at this time is a guy called Mayur from the Bandish Projekt. I’ve heard 1 mix of his and if he never does another mix again, the one I’ve heard is my all-time favourite DJ Mix of all times (as Muhammed Ali would say).

The future Bass Generation?
We don’t know, I suppose we’ll keep blogging until people tell us to stop it! We want to start some Generation Bass parties worldwide eventually I suppose. We have a big party in September in Tilburg, Holland.
http://www.zxzw.nl/2009/

And of the music industry?
It’s very difficult to say but what is quite apparent is that artists are not making money from album sales but mainly from live gigs. I’ve personally noticed a sharp decrease in album sales as I’ve done 10 compilations of various descriptions in the past 2 years covering a range of different genres within Global Music and the labels’ output is drying up because of poor sales.
Hence the massive increase in free promo’s and bloggers.
There has to be a new business industry model in the music world but what that is, I’m not sure. I’m not into music to make money, in fact I’ve done so much free just for the love of it. I can afford to do so as I have another fall-back career. For people trying to make a living on music though, man it’s tough and I don’t know how they survive!

How’s the scene in England (Where you are from exactly), who do you rate?
England has obviously been a beacon for great music throughout the years. There’s a strong indie/rock, R&B and Dubstep scene here. There’s a huge Bhangra scene in Birmingham where I live but that is because there are lots of Asians here, including me J. Reggae & Dub has always been big here.
The only thing recently to have interested me from England is of course Mia, Switch and Dubstep.

It’s less open to global music than other places like France and so it’s always a struggle in England but that might now be changing, I hope.
Obviously, MIA is probably the best thing to come out of England for a very long time.

Places of interests in your city?
The public toilets….haa.haaa.. No, I suppose the fact that we have great Asian food here of the Indian and Pakistani variety, the best in the country I would say. Apart from that it’s a pretty boring city.

As an artist (dj) how do you use & see the web today? Is it important for you?
Yeah very, very important, in fact it’s crucial. I am ultra dependant upon it. I use the web just for music, to find new things, to check up things, to do business music-wise.
I cannot remember the last time I walked into a record store, which is a great shame. When I was a kid I would save up all my school dinner money and starve so that I could head to the local record store on a Friday to buy some vinyl. In fact I use to prefer spending my money on music rather than taking a girl out…TRUE!

Do you live entirely for your music today?
Of course not, family comes first, so I always say but ask my family and they will tell you music comes first…haa.haa.
So yes, I could not imagine life without music, it is my best friend, my most trusted companion and my medication to keep me sane in this mad world.

shorties:

Best thing that happened to you recently?
Watching Global Ghettotech growing and growing…..and joining Vince @ GENERATION BASS!

Where is, for you, the best venue/place to play live, if one (panorama, sent, sound, lights, crew, friendly promoter, unlimited drink tickets…)?
I would love to play in a desert…that has not happened yet.

A movie you would like to watch now, right now?
City Of God or something dumb & funny…

Best place to live if you had unlimited budget?
Morocco

Last album you enjoyed listening?
Baandish Project, MGMT, Justice, Celt Islam ….I’m sure there are more but I just cannot remember just now.

Best TV shows (current and ever)?

Fawlty Towers.
Laurel & Hardy
Apprentice
Newsnight.

Last musical genre obsession you digged frenetically?
Global Ghetottech.

What was the last (physical) book you read and when was that?
I’m not much of a reader, I should read more.
I feel however that there are those that read books or write them and then there are those who live them. I feel my life is a book that I live, I might be the only one ever to read it but that’s how I feel.
But the last book I read from cover to cover was The Prophet by Khalil Gibran about 15 years ago!

How do you know what time it is?
Mainly, instinct. I have some great watches but I never wear them.

Fave night drink and morning beverage?
A cup of English Tea!

How do you like to dress, how do you define your look?
I’m a simple jeans & T-shirt and trainers kind of man.

Smoking or non-smoking clubs?
Smoking Shisha clubs

Your joke of the moment?
I am a DJ and I am funky!

Generationbass website
Dj Umb Myspace
Dj Umb Fairtilizer profile

Tracklisting:

GENERATION BASS – FAIRTILIZER EXCLUSIVE – GLOBAL GHETTOTECH VOL FREE III

1. Ruthless – DJ Cleo
2. Gone Too Far Feat. Sizzla (Buraka Som Sistema Remix) – Dre Skull
3. Yah! – Buraka Som Sistema
4. Zirkus – Schlachthofbronx
5. El Tigeraso – Maluca
6. Get With This (Get Busy) – Dj LoKey
7. Get Up (Diplo Remix) – Bingo Players
8. Solid G – Ruff N Funct
9. African Chant – Top Billin’
10. Soundbwoy Don’t Like It (Vince The Prince Remix) – Tupolev Sound Crash
11. Art of Revolution (Ghislian Poirier Remix) – Bassnectar
12. Sah Raoui _ Fnaire
13. Hold The Line (Ghislain Poirier Remix) – Major Lazer
14. Com Respeito – Buraka Som Sistema
15. Favela Bounce – Sabbo Feat. MC Thiaguinho
16. Eurovision – Zombie Disco Squad
17. Suckaz They Dont Know – Jaimie Fanatic
18. Bandari Funk – Sticky K
19. Warp 1.9 (G-Tronic BadAss Rmx) Feat. Steve Aoki – The Bloody Beetrots

MIXED BY DJ UMB
MASTERED BY timxavier@manmademastering.com