session #055 – MonkeyRobot

MonkeyRobot is producer-duo made of Brussels based beatmakers Eric P and LuiGi (Eric Paquet & Louis Van De Leest). After more than 10 years of activity as hip-hop producers under the moniker of the Infinitskills-crew they changed their name and visual identity into MKRBT/MonkeyRobot early 2010. Exploring the boundaries of soulful music between 90 and 120 BPM became their acclaimed trademark.

Monkeyrobot also makes part of the electronic/ cross-over future jazz project ‘74 Miles Away‘ inspired from the likes of Bob James, Weather Report and Herbie Hancock to the futuristic beatmakers of today.

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How and where was this mix recorded?

This mix was recorded around mid- november at Eric’s studio, Brussels, Belgium.
A fusion of vinyl and digital files, all thrown together in Ableton.

How will you describe this mix to us?

This set goes back in time and forth, and refers to the moment when we were doing mixes on a local radio station called Radio Vibrations (somewhere in 2003) in the Brussels area. ‘Laid back’- founder (ldbk.eu) julien Mourlon asked us to do some short interventions and mini-mixes to integrate in his show he was running on that tiny, rebellious radio station.

We called it “Radio Hijack” back then, and we kept this kind of style till present when we got time to prepare a mix. In the pure LDBK tradition that we helped establish, this mix flows between Jazz-Funk, Breaks, Soul, Library music, own compositions, Hip Hop…to the future beat sound of today. Everything that inspires or that catches our ears at this moment.

How did you guys meet and start working together?

We met through mutual friends in 2000. Eric was already messing around with early versions of the Acid- audio software. He hooked LuiGi up, later came the MPC’s, samplers and other gear upfront and this train kept on rolling…till present. Our trademark: exploring the boundaries of soulful music between 90 and 120 bpm. MonkeyRobot loves to share its music and energy by bringing very organic live performances, with lots of keys and MPC drumming. As live as it gets.

Tell us more about your album planned, any concept or new techniques?

Brooklyn’s based label, Bastard Jazz, came with the idea to release an EP, after the feedback on the acclaimed track “Basement Infusion” that came out earlier this year on the ‘Tempo Dreams compilation’ album by Tall Black Guy.

On our self-titled 12”, we deliver four diverse tracks that showcase their skills behind the boards, the MPC and the keys, with a keen ear for the dancefloor. Kicking things off, “Brick Stomach” is a synth-heavy four-to-the-floor 120 BPM joint that comes off like a Floating Points visit back in time to 1980’s Detroit with it’s rolling snares, arpeggiating synth bassline and cloudy pads. Next Up, “Northern Light” filters shimmering space disco vibes through big, thumping instrumental Hip-Hop drums and moody analog bass. On the flip, “Rosè Gris” takes things in a funkier direction at 100BPM with it’s syncopated drums, irresistible lead, squelching bassline and all manner of synthesizer explorations. Rounding off the EP is “Last Days”, which still manages to inject a funky 80’s analog sound into it’s melancholy downtempo vibes.

Describe the scene in Brussels, what’s good?

If we speak about Brussels, we ratherly could speak about Belgium in a way.

Belgium has an infamous, for most unknown, musical history. Legendary jazz cats and projects, chansonniers, the Belgian Popcorn DJ-movement which was somewhat the Belgian equivalent of England’s better known Northern Soul movement, a largely spread new-wave community in the beginning of the 80’s, inventing the new beat scene at the end of the eighties (which became the precursor of European House), widely spread techno & house output during the nineties and it’s related internationally acclaimed club culture, and maybe most of all Belgium is internationally the most renowned for their rockbands we guess. Let’s say that the Belgium’s musical history and output is quite phenomenal in proportion to the tiny scale of our country. The list of bands and artists is endless.

We consider ourselves to be part of a movement instead of a music scene as such. There are a lot of DJ’s /producers//blogs/promoters who are more or less walking the same path when we’re talking of producing or playing soulful underground music. As we’ve been making music for over 10 years now most of them became friends or friends of friends. Especially Brussels, our capital and the place where we live, is quiet active in promoting quality soul-music the last years through dedicated radio shows, parties, labels and blogs.

Point us to a weblink?

www.monkeyrobot.eu (homebase)
www.ldbk.eu (urban culture powerhouse)
www.oli-b.be ( talented artist)
www.ridiculousraw.com ( ridiculous unknown groovy music)
www.digitalpark.be ( our graphic partners )