RollingStone did an article with me recently. We talked about the word and his mother. Amongst other things, we talked about my new album 'Above & Beyond'
[Interviewer] How long have you been a recording artist?
[Rj Samuels] since I was. In high school, but real, proper recording, about 5 years.
[I] you're working on a new album, and from what I've heard, its still a work in progress.
[Rj] yeah, you can say that again. Its taken us 3 years to great to a point where we're nearly done.
[I] why has it taken so long?
[Rj] when you have other bands and artists asking to work with you and your band is part of your production company, its hard to say no to genuine work. At first we had a recording company and then shortly after, we formed the record label.
[I] so you've really been that busy?
[Rj] for sure. Its been one super ride after the next. We start one project and then another comes into the in tray.
[I] have you ever turned work away?
[Rj] of course. There are times when we just out and out say 'no way!' We had one artist that we had written a song for, but she took so long getting back. To us with the specifications we requested, the deal fell through and we gave the song to another artist.
[I] have you ever regretted turning down work?
[Rj] no. But I have regretted not following through with a vocalist that we had already agreed to work with. A guy at work was telling me about his gorgeous wife who happened to sing a bit, so imsaid that I would be interested to hear her sing. He set important Skype interview where she did an accapella of 'somewhere over the rainbow' she blewe away and we agreed to record together. Through one thing or another and having a baby in the meantime, we just never got round to it.
[I] the new album 'Above & Beyond' is it like your solo project?
[Rj] it's the kind of stuff I was doing before the label; even before the production company. A funkier, dance oriented groove if you like. People always used to associate me with funky Music, so I don't know where my desire to record jazz came from. When I was growing up, there would always be Soul and Dance music from all corners of the house. My main inspiration at that time and still is Chic. I the way they arranged their songs with laser like precision. A funky bass, jazzy guitar and hypnotic druming. Bernard Edwards {Chic bass player} was the reason I got into music. His bass lines are the stuff of legend. I never saw him play live before he passed, but I met his partner, Nile Rodgers 3 times last year. He's of really sweet, sincere hombre. He gave me one of his plectrum and signed his autobiography for me as we posed for some pics in Derry/londonderry, last Hallowe'en.
[I] talking of Hallowe'en, you have the habit of recording or realeasing songs around the holidays.
[Rj] yes we do. We have a mission to share our music at special times of the year, but these don't.appear on any albums. Well at least not at the moment. Yeah, we've recorded the 'The Poltergeist Rap' for Hallowe'en , 'I luv I - with Made4Hearts' for Valentine Day, 'Do They Know (It's Christmas Time). We recorded videos for them and everything!
[I] what has been your highlight been from 2014?
[Rj] meeting Nile Rodgers and interviewing Alfa Anderson, both of Chic.
[I] what's next for you and Pojam-x?
[Rj] finish this album and get it out there. You've already got the lead single, 'Above & Beyond' and 'U and Me (Maybe) and we have a pletherer of uptown funky beats to shake your groove at.
[I] exciting times Rj but are you using Nile Rodgers plectrum to inspire you?
[Rj] but of course! How do you think I come up with those funky bass lines and killer guitar licks?
[I] look forward to your album and my the funk dance groove be with you.
[Rj Samuels] since I was. In high school, but real, proper recording, about 5 years.
[I] you're working on a new album, and from what I've heard, its still a work in progress.
[Rj] yeah, you can say that again. Its taken us 3 years to great to a point where we're nearly done.
[I] why has it taken so long?
[Rj] when you have other bands and artists asking to work with you and your band is part of your production company, its hard to say no to genuine work. At first we had a recording company and then shortly after, we formed the record label.
[I] so you've really been that busy?
[Rj] for sure. Its been one super ride after the next. We start one project and then another comes into the in tray.
[I] have you ever turned work away?
[Rj] of course. There are times when we just out and out say 'no way!' We had one artist that we had written a song for, but she took so long getting back. To us with the specifications we requested, the deal fell through and we gave the song to another artist.
[I] have you ever regretted turning down work?
[Rj] no. But I have regretted not following through with a vocalist that we had already agreed to work with. A guy at work was telling me about his gorgeous wife who happened to sing a bit, so imsaid that I would be interested to hear her sing. He set important Skype interview where she did an accapella of 'somewhere over the rainbow' she blewe away and we agreed to record together. Through one thing or another and having a baby in the meantime, we just never got round to it.
[I] the new album 'Above & Beyond' is it like your solo project?
[Rj] it's the kind of stuff I was doing before the label; even before the production company. A funkier, dance oriented groove if you like. People always used to associate me with funky Music, so I don't know where my desire to record jazz came from. When I was growing up, there would always be Soul and Dance music from all corners of the house. My main inspiration at that time and still is Chic. I the way they arranged their songs with laser like precision. A funky bass, jazzy guitar and hypnotic druming. Bernard Edwards {Chic bass player} was the reason I got into music. His bass lines are the stuff of legend. I never saw him play live before he passed, but I met his partner, Nile Rodgers 3 times last year. He's of really sweet, sincere hombre. He gave me one of his plectrum and signed his autobiography for me as we posed for some pics in Derry/londonderry, last Hallowe'en.
[I] talking of Hallowe'en, you have the habit of recording or realeasing songs around the holidays.
[Rj] yes we do. We have a mission to share our music at special times of the year, but these don't.appear on any albums. Well at least not at the moment. Yeah, we've recorded the 'The Poltergeist Rap' for Hallowe'en , 'I luv I - with Made4Hearts' for Valentine Day, 'Do They Know (It's Christmas Time). We recorded videos for them and everything!
[I] what has been your highlight been from 2014?
[Rj] meeting Nile Rodgers and interviewing Alfa Anderson, both of Chic.
[I] what's next for you and Pojam-x?
[Rj] finish this album and get it out there. You've already got the lead single, 'Above & Beyond' and 'U and Me (Maybe) and we have a pletherer of uptown funky beats to shake your groove at.
[I] exciting times Rj but are you using Nile Rodgers plectrum to inspire you?
[Rj] but of course! How do you think I come up with those funky bass lines and killer guitar licks?
[I] look forward to your album and my the funk dance groove be with you.
