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DJ and RAMP Recordings boss Tom Kerridge steps up to provide this week’s Clash DJ podcast, with an all-vinyl underground affair.
Such is the scope of RAMP’s carefully selected release schedule since its inception, that it’s fairly futile (and very much against the label’s ethos) to try and pigeonhole its approach. Suffice to say, over the years the label has released material by Untold, Falty DL, SBTRKT, Zomby, Ras G Tokimonsta, Doc Daneeka and a host of other, lesser-known but equally talented producers.
As with the eclectic tastes of RAMP, Kerridge covers a lot of bases in his mix, avoiding hackneyed choices and instead focusing on sharp tunes from all over the electronic spectrum, with a very loose leaning towards beats and electronic hip hop, should you feel the desire to throw some genres around.
Clash caught up with Kerridge to ask about his mix and get the lowdown on RAMP.
Tell us about the mix and why you featured some of the chosen tracks.
Tom Kerridge: It’s 100% vinyl – I try to mix as much vinyl as I can, and I still spend hundreds of pounds on records every month. There is something about mixing with vinyl that is so tactile and enjoyable, a quality I don’t get from CDJs or computers.
I tried to play a mixture of old and new stuff; Deep Burnt has rarely left my record box for the past 13 years, Kassem Mosse & Mix Mup remix of John Beltran is a recent purchase and stunning, the John Roberts track is on his ‘Glass Eights’ album released last year and is on constant rotation in the RAMP office, the Clark (not the Warp guy) doublepack is one of my favourite releases on one of my favourite ever labels, and I have fond memories of Derrick Carter playing the Fandango Widewheels & Huggy Bear track many years ago. All of the records I own have a story behind them, hold a memory or make me feel a certain way.
What makes a good remix for you?
Tom Kerridge: I think remixes are employed a bit too much at the moment – they can be lazy and unnecessary. I try to only use remixes on a project where it would actually add something – which I think is the secret behind a successful remix. Be it Walter Gibbons extending a track for maximum disco fun, or Matthew Herbert carefully splicing sounds from the original to make an entirely new composition, remixes should add something the original may not have had, or make it work in a different situation.
Some favourite tracks to play live at the moment?
Tom Kerridge: I like to change what’s in my record box as often as possible, keep things exciting for all involved. Currently favourites are ‘Icon’ by Rhythim Is Rhythim, ‘I Want To Leave My Body’ by Green Velvet, ‘Brian Le Bon’ by Roman Flügel, anything by Muteoscillator, anything by Gerry Read, Carl Craig’s remix of ‘Poor People Must Work’ by Rhythm & Sound, a few Johnick bits.
Tell us a bit about how and why RAMP Recordings was set up, and what makes the label unique.
Tom Kerridge: Is it unique? I suppose a label that would release Ras G & Doc Daneeka within a few months of each other is unique. I like to release a range of musical styles – putting everything into genres bore me terribly. Also, I suppose my visual ethic makes RAMP fairly unique in the world of electronic music. I get very bored of labels who do rubbish covers or generic artwork, and I make a point of using designers and illustrators who are not known for working in music. I like my eyes to be stimulated and challenged just as much as my ears.
What can we expect from the label in the near future?
Tom Kerridge: Well, our 50th release is coming up, so we are putting out a compilation to commemorate that. I have been avoiding doing a compilation for so long, as everybody else does them, but I have recently accepted it’s inevitable. However, I am making a stand by making it a low price CD, so it is less of an exercise in making money, and more of a way of getting this music to as many ears as possible.
Leading up to that, we have an EP from Dro Carey, a single from Stay+, and a mini album from Cupp Cave – all new signings, but we have some bits and pieces coming from the more established RAMP names. Also, Hackman’s PTN album is nearing readiness – you should be very excited about that.
DOWNLOAD TOM KERRIDGE DJ MIX HERE
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Tom Kerridge DJ Mix Tracklisting
1. Seltene Erden - Hoidas Lake [Mule Electronic]
2. John Roberts - Porcelain [Dial]
3. Braxton Holmes -12 Inches Of Pleasure (Ron's Foreplay) Clubhouse
4. Vakula - Mama Said Go Slow [Shevchenko]
5. Muteoscillator & K-Soul - Take 1 [Uzuri]
6. Clark - Christo [Planet E]
7. Secret Ingredients - Taking Over Me [Universal Language]
8. Fandango Widewheels & Huggy Bear - Bozz-Eyed [20:20 Vision]
9. John Beltran - Brilliant Flood (Kassem Mosse & Mix Mup Remix) [Delsin]
10. Erro – Don’t Change [Yoruba]
11. Terrence Dixon - Multiply [Thema]
12. Levon Vincent - No Regrets [Novel Sound]
13. Pépé Bradock - Deep Burnt [Kif. S. A.]
14. Gerry Read (Untitled) [Fourth Wave]
15. Mr. Fingers - Waterfall [Alleviated]
16. Vakula - Nerve [3rd Strike]
17. Seltene Erden - Hoidas Lake [Mule Electronic]
Check out the previous episodes of our Dj Mix Series on iTunes HERE or individually on ClashMusic.com HERE
Podcast home: http://www.clashmusic.com
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