Pierre’s musical career spans over 20 years, his passion for House music is clear and works hard to find new ways to keep his music fresh after having chart-topping hits such as his remix of ‘Magalehna’. His most recent hit is ‘Jazzfrican’ an afro-jazz inspired House track.
1. What software did you use to make ‘Jazzfrican’?
I used Acid Music Studio 10 for all the tracking needs. Roland Gaia Synth for the baseline, Arturia Mini Lab midi for percussion and instrumental layers.
2. This song is very different to what you normally hear, where did you get the idea from?
The idea was inspired by the growth and evolution of African dance music and Afro house. I wanted to push the possibilities of the sub-genre even further by injecting the jazz elements in the track. I’ve rarely heard a strong brass component in Afro House so I wanted to give it a try. Lastly I wanted something that would sound thematic with weight and emotion. Put all that together and you have Jazzfrican.
3. How much time do you spend on each track?
I completed both the Original and Reprise within two weeks.
4. What do you think the current House music scene is like at the moment?
I would say it the best and worst of times for the scene. It’s the best of times in that House music is bigger and more pervasive than it’s ever been. With all of the mainstream crossover and the number of people exposed to the genre through major labels; even your common music listener knows the term ‘House music’.
The rise of the mega-festival era is an undeniable metric showing just how big House music and relative genres have become. Unfortunately and all too often with mass production and commercialization comes loss of quality. The house music influenced songs on the radio and big room club music is not designed for creating real grooves. Without real grooves you don’t have real dancing; instead you have more explosions of movement, which is not really sustainable on a dance floor. The reason the mantra is ‘House Music All Night Long’ is because if its real house music you can dance to it all night long. Most of the popular house music you can shuffle to for about 30 seconds and then you are totally out of breath.
5. What is your favourite plugin to use?
Native Instruments
6. What do you do if you struggle with writers block?
I listen to 90’s RnB. The melodies and harmonies that came out of that genre and time are so lovely and inspiring. I start playing with what I’m hearing on a song and it usually gets me going.
7. How would you compare this track to some of your other releases?
This was my first Afro House track so its currently one of a kind among my catalog.
8. Do you have a piece of studio equipment you can’t live without?
My Yamaha HS series monitor speakers. They are so crisp and clean helping me put my mixes together pretty flawlessly.
9. Have you got any more releases we can look forward to?
Oh yes! I am just speculating but I think some of my best work is in a song called ‘I Miss You’. I am working with one of the best vocalists I have ever heard on a soulful yet driving song full of instrumentation and vibe. I am label shopping it at the moment but whoever ends up releasing it will have a great piece of work on their hands.
10. Where can we go to purchase ‘Jazzfrican’?
You can find Jazzfrican on Traxsource, Beatport, Juno, Spotify and iTunes
Listen to ‘Jazzfrican’:
www.soundcloud.com/pierrereynoldsmusic/sets/jazzfrican
Purchase link:
www.traxsource.com/title/1041022/jazzfrican
Pierre Reynolds Online
Instagram: www.pierrereynoldsmusic.com
Soundcloud: www.soundcloud.com/pierrereynoldsmusic
Website: www.pierrereynoldsmusic.com
