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Music Review: Jimpster [Freerange Records]

 

How Deep Knights got its groove back *Whew* after a few weeks of no music reviews (blame the deep knights top 10’s), we got super excited at the arrival of Jamie Odell aka Jimpster in S.A. One of my top producers in the world! So I’m very excited to do this review. British producer/dj and founder of the record label Freerange records if you didn’t know, Started in 1996 with his friend Tom Roberts. One of the most consistent record labels I might add, Includes massive names like Shur-I-Ken, Milton Jackson, Manuel Tur, Lovebirds, Tony Lionni and Detroit Swindle amongst others. Jimpster played in a live electronica band “The Bays” from 2007, but eventually had to choose between carrying on with the band and focusing on his Djing and record label.

 

Born into a musical family, Jimpster was influenced and encouraged by his father Roger Odell who is the drummer in the jazz-funk band Shakatak. It was there that he was first exposed to electronic synthesizers and recording equipment at around age 10.

 

 



So far I just know only of his gig at House 22 Pretoria and The Warm-up in Johannesburg but I’ll try to get info on what else he’s going to be up to while in S.A or if you know just email us on deepknights1@hotmail.com so we can put up on the page and let everyone else know.

So like we always do, I’m going to let you in on a few of my favourites Jimpster tracks that I think you should definitely check out.

Jimpster-Dangly Panther Original Mix

 

 

 http://traxsource.com/track/961455/dangly-panther

 

 

Terrence Parker - Love's Got Me High (Jimpster Remix)

 

 

 

http://traxsource.com/track/1284078/loves-got-me-high-jimpster-remix

 

Lisa Shaw – Let it ride (Jimpster remix)

 

 

https://traxsource.com/title/4378/let-it-ride-remixes-inc-jimpster-mix

 

*sigh* I wish I could give you more of my favourites but unfortunately it has to stop at 3, and I didn't even get to give you tracks like Sleeper and Just the kind of girl but hey, look them up and continue the journey of understanding Jimpster. Don't forget to catch him at House 22 tonight Friday 06 September and also at The warm-up Saturday 07 September. See you there :)


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#DKTop10 Feat. Diviniti Divine [Women On Wax Recordings / Whasdat Music] 010

Real Name: Terri Smith
Hometown:  Detroit, Michigan
Hustle (what do u do):  educator, singer, songwriter
Genre: house, soul
Record Label/Brand:  I have had music released on several labels, but most of my work can be found on Women On Wax, Whasdat Music, Peng Records, Miso Records, Especial Records and others.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Top 10



1.  DJ Minx feat. Diviniti - Move - Women On Wax

2.  Kerri Chandler - Rain (Original Mix and Atjazz Remix) - Nervous Records

3.  Sabrina Malheiros - Estacao verao 

4.  The Foreign Exchange - Leave it All Behind

5.  Simon & Garfunkel - Homeward Bound 

6.   Dawn Tallman - God - Honeycomb Music

7.  Anything from Pink Floyd's "Dark Side of the Moon" album

8.  Vick Lavender meets Pirahnahead and Diviniti - "Let It Go" - Whasdat Music

9.  Anything from Steely Dan's "Aja" album

10.  Anything from Jamiroquai's "The Return of the Space Cowboy" album

DK: Please tell us a bit about your selection.
I think my selections are a good snapshot of the range of things I can be listening to at any given time.  Listening to different types of music is a plus for any songwriter.  You never know where inspiration lies. 

DK: To someone that hasn't been exposed to your work, how would you describe "Who is Diviniti"?
Diviniti is a singer and songwriter who is known for her meaningful lyrics and pure, beautiful, and harmonic vocal style.  

DK: When did you discover your love for house music?
I really got into house during the early 80s.  Once I got to high school one of my closest friends was a DJ (Terrence Parker) so that made it even better for me.

DK: As a woman, what were some of the biggest challenges you faced in music?
I can't say I have faced any challenges in music that are based on me being a woman - and that may be because I am a vocalist.  I know that some of my friends who are DJs and female have had their share of difficulty.  In some people's thinking, female DJs are still a novelty but women have always been behind the mic.  Some people are still more comfortable with us there singing rather than behind the turntables. 

DK: What inspires you to continue writing, recording and performing after all these years?
I get inspiration from many things. When it comes to writing lyrics, I tap into the energy of the music I'm writing to and let that inspire me. I sometimes write about things that I think about, or believe; I write about things that are happening in the lives of people I know; sometimes I even write about the way I would like for things to be in general. My love of the music and the support and appreciation from fans is what keeps me inspired to continue recording. 

DK: How do you balance your music with other obligations?
It's probably not as difficult as you might think. I have made it a practice to write lyrics when the feeling hits me. I've learned that when I force it, it doesn't work out too well. Looking at my music in that way, it makes it easier to balance everything. If I'm not feeling it, I leave it alone, focus on other things for a while, and then come back to it. 

DK: Your most memorable live performance?
All of my performances have been memorable for one reason or another. My performance at the Detroit Electronic Music Festival in the early 2000s was amazing. It was the first time I performed with a live band. There was a horn section, percussion section, background vocalists...it was awesome. My performances in Japan have been great too. The crowds there are so energetic and enthusiastic about the music. You can't help but to feed off of that energy and give it right back.  Just this summer I had one of those experiences during a performance in Chicago. Great crowd and SO much love. 

DK: What's that one thing you feel the world doesn't know yet about Diviniti?

Well, those who are close to me know - I am really into classic rock!  I occasionally listen to the radio and the music that "in" right now or on the Billboard charts, but my heart is with the classic rock of the 60s and 70s. I absolutely love it. 

 

DK: What more can we expect from you in the near future?
Music, music, music!  

DK: Any message for your S.A female fans?
I want all of my South African fans - male and female - to know how much I appreciate all of their support. They are amazing and their love and support is invaluable. 

 

We hope you enjoyed this as much as we love doing it for you, a huge thanks to Diviniti for her time to do this with us. Please look her up on Facebook and also on Twitter:

 

https://www.facebook.com/pages/DIVINITI/40862354711
www.twitter.com/DivinitiDivine

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#DKTop10 Extra : Getting to know Lady Lea [Beat Boutique / Flipside Records] 009

Real Name: Lea Barrett
Hometown: Pretoria
Hustle (what do u do): Music in general, teach, record, play, manage and love life
Genre: House
Record Label/Brand: Beat Boutique / Flipside Records

 

 

DK: In 2009 you launched a female DJ agency called Divas on Decks, Please tell us about the agency.

Divas on Decks is an agency that helps promote and protect up n coming professional female djs. I audition the ladies and make sure that they know what they are doing , and then as a group we do events, book out djs at various events and we motivate and promote each other.

Its a platform for the ladies to be featured and highlighted at the appropriate events for their style. 

 

DK: How do you feel about the current state of the music Industry (Dance Scene) in SA?

I think its definitely changing , but change is inevitable. Its about accepting the change and moving with it. Some things I prefer the way it was back in the day but that was then and this is now. The scene is growing at a rapid rate, lets just hope it keeps moving upwards and people respect the real djs talent

DK: You started DJing at the age of 14, How did you get into DJing at such a young age?
My brother Morgan was into djing and when our parents bought  us equipment I started to mess around on the equipment and really got stuck into it. I then started to sneak into night clubs (I looked older than I was) and I used to beg to play for free until I got my first residency, and the rest is history

 

 

 

DK: What's the one thing that's been keeping you motivated all these years?
My love for music and entertaining people and seeing them smile on the dancefloor

DK: What do you do when you not busy with music?
I have a baby boy so he keeps me very busy. Otherwise I enjoy keeping fit, spending time with loved ones and friends, and I also enjoy nature ;)

DK: Do you think South african female DJs are given any platform?
Yes for sure. That what I am trying to do with Divas on Decks

DK: Highlight of your Music journey?
Playing in Germany at the Love Parade to over a million people ;)

DK: What were some of the challenges you faced coming up in a male-dominated field?
Because I am quite strong willed and determined person I didn't see myself as any different to the guys, in fact I was always one of the guys ;) Only now am I finding it quite challenging being a mother and djing, but having a good support system at home really helps.

DK: What can you say to aspiring female DJ's especially in S.A?
Keep at it, do it if you love it, promote yourself and keep moving forward with your sound and technology

 

Big thanks to Lady Lea for taking timeout to do this with us, would have loved to get a taste of some of the tracks she's feeling right now but it was a great pleasure getting to know her and her hustle. Truly inspirational and I hope aspiring divas on decks will love this as well, if you do want to hear some of her mixes though you in luck. check them out on her website www.ladylea.co.za also check her out of Facebook:  Lady Lea and on Twitter: @DjLadyLea for updates on her upcoming gigs, releases and more.

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