Up next on Soul Clap Records, Eddie C introduces us to Berlin’s L.J Simon & Idriss.
Berlin based Canadian, Eddie C, is known for his raw yet sophisticated approach to production. With countless releases and remixes on Jiscomusic, Endless Flight, Crue-L, Sleazy Beats, Wolf Music, 7 Inches of Love & Home Taping, his eclectic and passion-fuelled DJ sets have gained him a cult following worldwide. You could well describe him as one of the slo-mo disco edits scene’s heaviest hitters with his lush, deep, and generous grooves.
LJ Simon met Eddie C while they were both residents at Neue Odessa Bar in Berlin. Simon played Eddie his original versions over lunch one sunny afternoon in 2020. Eddie took the parts back to the studio and reworked them into something that would fit into the nights he was playing at Neue Odessa.
Algerian vocalist Idriss had long and winding journey to Berlin, travelling to the city from Algeria. His journey took him to Turkey, and from there he travelled to Greece in an overloaded boat that sank in the middle of the ocean. Thankfully he was rescued by the Greek authorities, although he was later forced to endure even more adversity, before eventually making his way to Berlin.
It was in Berlin that he met and formed a strong and joyous bond with LJ Simon. Both artists sharing a passion for the boogie-funk vibe, and so the collaboration began. The result is two cuts of sun-drenched, sexy, low-slung, goodness. It’s a vinyl only, special edition 7”, centred around this delectable pair of Eddie C’s disco flips.
RELEASE DATE: 6th MAY – Buy / Stream link here…
We had a chat with Eddie just prior to release day…
- Please introduce yourself to our readers Eddie
Ex-cross-country-ski and mountaineering enthusiast, part-time DJ, full time nomad, seeker of nice times.
- Tell us where you are based and where you are from?
Currently somewhere in the Yucatan peninsula where it is too hot for me. I’m originally from Southern Ontario not far from Toronto and Detroit. I think I lived in Berlin for most of the past decade but that may have been a dream.
- There is clearly a sound that is Eddie C. How would YOU define that sound?
That’s good news! If you’re talking about my productions I would say slow speed with intensity. My DJ style is also peppered with great intensity but is often fast.
- Who are the artists that have inspired you over time?
Far too many to mention. Public Enemy’s production team The Bomb Squad inspired me the most in the beginning. Richie Hawtin was pretty important for a good chunk of time in the 90s. Dilla, Madlib and DJ Premier. Sly and Robbie. Jon Hassell and Brian Eno. Baldelli and Harvey. Lindstrom and Prins Thomas. Kenji Takimi and Tetsu Inoue. Theo Parrish and Kenny Dixon Jr.
- If you had to pick a genre to ‘listen’ over everything else, what would it be?
Ambient or anything from Detroit regardless of genre.
- If someone wanted to get to know your taste, what album should they listen to?
Substrata by Biosphere or It Takes a Nation of Millions to Hold Us Back
- How did you come to work with the Soul Clap crew on this release?
I believe we first met in Detroit in 2010. I played after them at TV Lounge during the festival. We’ve loosely kept in touch all these years.
- Talk us through the EP a little
Simon and I were both DJing a lot in Berlin. We met at Neue Odessa Bar in Berlin Mitte where we both had residencies. The place was pretty wild and attracted characters from all walks of life in search of nice times. We were both into Funk, mid-tempo dance music and Disco. It just so happened that we were both attempting to construct music like this ourselves. Simon played me some of his original works which featured the silky smooth vocals of Idriss and I reworked them in my studio into something that I thought would work well at the bar. I’m thrilled it’s getting exposure because little projects like this rarely do. Simon and I have since worked on quite a bit of music together and are looking forward to future projects. Simon has a great studio full of all the best vintage gear for making electronic funk.
- This Limited 7” is for lovers of ….
Nice times, vinyl and mid(tempo)life crisis music.
- Where should we listen your new EP and what should we be drinking?
On your favourite turntable or on Bandcamp! The two best ways to support and enjoy music in 2022. Perhaps with some Hennessey and/or a few pints.
- What you got coming up in 2022?
Plenty of new music but I’m mostly looking forward to getting back into the swing of things. The past two years have been the best of times and the worst of times. I prefer the best of times.
SOUL CLAP RECORDS / EDDIE C PRESENTS L.J SIMON FT. IDRISS / RELEASED 6TH MAY – Listen / Buy here.
The Nearest Faraway Place 