Dean Marriott aka D.Ramirez is British, although many sources announce that he comes from Cuba. He, together with Barry Gilbey, mada a couple of producers, Fingerfest Inc., responsible for - lets say cult track - “Auto Porno”, and the latest, also very popular, “Chemical Whore”. Dean also produces alone and also with a success. His “Freaque On” released under his own label, Slave Reordings, became a true dancefloor hit.

Sound Revolt: Did you know that the “Chemical Whore” can be ordered as a ringtone for mobile phones? Does it mean that your music has at last become popular?
D.Ramirez: If by popular you mean commercial then definitely not. If you mean that the Fingerfest Inc name can sell ring tones then yes, we must be popular. I would like to see how many ring tones have been sold before I answer the question properly.

Sound Revolt: This track can be considered as a long awaited follow up to “Auto Porno”. Looks like a combination of Marriott & Gilbey is a synonym of a successful production. Why don’t you make more tracks together?
D.Ramirez: I and Barry Gilbey are firstly both very good friends and from that we enjoy working together. We also realize that surprisingly we make a good combination in terms of production. “Auto Porno” for instance was the very first thing we did together and neither of us thought it would become as big as it did. We were just two mates having a laugh and messing around in the studio. I guess we don't really take it too seriously and as such just get together when we both feel like it. I don't think it would be so spontaneous if we were to work together more often and it would become more forced. Also we are both really busy with our own productions and labels so the lack of time for both of us is also a factor.

Sound Revolt: Let’s leave your dark and heavy tracks behind for a moment. I’ve heard that your newest piece called “Freaque On” sets a new record of popularity on European dancefloors?
D.Ramirez: “Freaque On” is my forth single under the D.Ramirez name and has actually been around for a year now. I decided to have Seamus Haji on remix duties as I wanted to open up the track to a wider audience of DJs and listeners alike. As such I think that far more people have been able to hear the track around the world. Italy for instance has really gone for the Seamus Haji mixes where as in Spain they went for my mixes. I think that different countries have adopted different genres of house and because there is a mix to suit everyone it has really made this track popular worldwide.

Sound Revolt: This one is melodic and lively, a bit similar to the “Bounce Your DJ” track. Is that mean you evolve in two directions simultaneously?
D.Ramirez: Yes I do believe there are different sides to my productions. On one side I can make evil menacing house music and on the other I can make something a lot lighter and "housey". I'm pretty much into all forms of house music and I have to say I pretty much love it all, even some of the hard house stuff I like! I think that being influenced by all this different music makes me want to try and experiment a bit and not just stick to the same style. Also I'd get very bored if I was knocking out the same dark stuff time after time. Also, you'd be surprised what type of music I started out making!

Sound Revolt: Let me guess... By the way, don’t you think it’s too much disco in it?
D.Ramirez: I don't think that there is too much disco influence in “Freaque On” at all. In fact I don't think there are enough disco influences in this type of music and sometimes it makes the music seem very sterile and dull. Progressive house by its nature can be very boring and soul-less. What I am attempting to do is inject a bit of soul back into the music, bring in an organic feel. I get very bored if I don't hear a vocal in a tune or it's the same groove all night.

Sound Revolt: You have released two singles with original mix and remixes of “Freaque On” under your own label, Slave Recordings. What was the reason to start a new record label?
D.Ramirez: I used to own the label known as Vudu which was run with a partner at the time. We had a big fall out which meant that the label had to stop and I had to start again with a new venture, Slave. He since has started his own label Nuvu (LOL) with which I wish him the best of luck, also at the same time I want to state that it has nothing to do with me!! I find that to have the artistic freedom, that I need to create, I need to have my own label. It's really difficult trying to write music for other labels, often they don't understand what you're trying to do and consequently you end up chasing your tail. Having your own label means you can do what you want.

Sound Revolt: Which musical direction did you chose for Slave and who is Bobby Lorenz?
D.Ramirez: The music on Slave will be mainly twisted house with a tribal edge. Sometimes I may get someone in who can funk it up a bit for the remix but mainly it's the tougher sound that I want to push. Bobby Lorenz is a new signing to Slave. I met him while DJing in Spain, he passed me a CD one day which I didn't listen to for a while and almost forgot about. It was when I found the CD and played the track that it blew me away! He has since produced another two tracks which I've signed to Slave, both very different to the first but both amazing... A great talent and somebody to watch out for in 2004.

Sound Revolt: You’ve been DJing for over ten years. Do you still draw pleasure from burning the midnight oil? Do you party in clubs or you just come to play and then go to your hotel room?
D.Ramirez: I love partying; a little too much some might say. It's the reason why I got into DJing, my love of clubbing basically led into a full time career!

Sound Revolt: Have you ever played in your home country, Cuba?
D.Ramirez: There's a bit of a funny story behind that one actually. When I started recording as D.Ramirez, I managed to convince the press officer of the label at the time that I was from Cuba (as opposed to grey, boring Sheffield). It kind of stuck from there! I'd love to visit Cuba though; it's a massively interesting place!

Sound Revolt: You’re coming to Poland on 28th February. What kinds of music will you serve to the crowd here?
D.Ramirez: Expect to hear a mixture. A few breaks, some techno, some of my own productions and definitely some real dirty, twisted, sexy house music... Get ready!!

The End

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