Quentin Harris’ sacrificial soul

Quentin Harris’ sacrificial soul

15 June, 2010 | 10.00AM

• Written by: Justin Jack
• Filed under: Music News: quentin harris, strictly rhythm

Four years after Quentin Harris‘ ‘No Politics’, the New York DJ and producer is finally back with a new album. From its title to its urgent grooves, ‘Sacrifice’ is a document of struggle and celebration, a perfect example of Harris’ brand of sensual intensity.

The Detroit-born artist grew up listening to the Electrifying Mojo’s eclectic radio shows, and you can hear that influence in the way he fuses elements of R&B and techno. No wonder Danny Tenaglia dubbed Harris’ style “Hard and Soul”: it’s got the blunt force of European club productions and the lushness associated with New York’s soulful house scene.

Featuring a wide variety of guest vocalists—including Ultra Nate, Aaron-Carl, Denise Henderson, Drew Vision, Jason Walker, and more—’Sacrifice’ is packed with massive tunes, but Harris’ well-rounded production elevates it above a mere collection of tracks: this is a proper album, coherent and nuanced.

From the altar of the DJ booth, Harris schools us on the meanings of ‘Sacrifice’.

When did you begin working on the LP?

I started working on the album about four years ago, around the same time I was completing my first album.

You collaborated with someone different on virtually every track. What connected you to these artists?

What really connected me to all of the artists that I worked with on ‘Sacrifice’ was their immense talent. They are also very multi-dimensional.

What A&R suggestions did you receive for the LP?

I only received three: to do a cover of the song ‘Circles’, that ‘Wait’ should be the first song to open the album, and that ‘Silence’ is a good track, so put it on the album. Pretty much everything else was my idea. I knew what I wanted to hear!

What expectations do you have for this album?

I don’t have any.

What is the message of ‘Sacrifice’?

Well, at its root, the word “sacrifice” means to make sacred. With my album, the message was that in life we all have to make many sacrifices to get where we want to go in life. Also, sometimes it’s those sacrifices that can stand in the way of our goals.

How does DJing impact your productions?

DJing impacts my productions in the same way that radio impacts the person tuning in. The difference is, I can get an instant reaction to know if something is going to work or not, or has potential. That’s why I will sometimes play a song more than once in a given night, because your ear might not be ready to receive something upon the first listen.

Are there any production tricks you can share with us?

Sure. Make good use of space and start with the sound you want to end up with.

What guides you musically?

I really don’t know what guides me musically, but what I do know is that I can’t see myself doing anything else.

Where do you look for inspiration and ideas?

I find inspiration in everything. My workspace has to have windows so I can work and look outside. I like to feed off of the energy of the people and the city.

You often hear “my dream is to make it in the music business”. Well, you have made it.  Are you living a dream or is it just reality?

Because the music business is and has always been crazy, I never dreamed to “make it in the music business.” As a child, my dream was to always have a job in adult life that I love doing. I love creating music. I love my job.

What sacrifices do you make for your art?

I started making sacrifices the minute that my art started being made for the consumer market. The minute your art becomes the source of how you eat and put clothes on your back, you have to pick and choose your battles with everything, like labels and consumers that only want to hear the “old Quentin Harris sound” and clubbers that don’t understand why I might play a hip-hop song in the middle of the night because they have been programmed by a lot of other DJs to hear music in only one way. I make sacrifices every day in order to evolve as an artist.  I am constantly learning.

‘Give It 2 U’ has just come out as a single. There must be plans for spinning off more singles and remixes, can you give any clues as to what might be coming up and who will be doing mixes?

To be honest, I have no clue of what’s coming next with remixes for that song, but I hope it’s not the usual suspects. Ask the label.

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