Mousse T - All Nite Madness
There are producers whose
work is immediately associated with success, and whose
talent for seeking out new national and international
voices is celebrated. In Germany there are only a few such
figures in the music industry. Of these, there are even
less whose Discography reads like a “Who’s
Who” of the music scene. Mousse T. is one of those
very few, whose songs “Horny” and “Sex
Bomb” have provided a good example of the power
harnessed when intuition and precision come together.
But who is the person behind these productions which
consistently find their way into the charts? Mustafa
Gündogdu, alias Mousse T., born in 1966 in Hagen, Germany,
describes his success succinctly: “I am a music lover
with humour, who gives more than 100% for his love”.
This love of music brought him to Hanover in 1990 where he
set up his own studio while he was still keyboarder for the
band “Fun Key B”. Two years later he gets to
know the owner of Peppermint Park Studios and extends the
label into dance floor music. At the same time, Mousse T.
pursues his ongoing passion for DJing with great
enthusiasm. In 1993 he founds, along with the owners of
Peppermint Park and his partner Errol Rennalls, the label
“Peppermint Jam Records” at a time when Mousse
T. is starting to make a name for himself as a DJ on a
wider stage. Several productions with international greats
such as Ziggy Marley, Mezzoforte and Randy Crawford are the
consequence. In 1998 the single “Horny”
catapults the name “MOUSSE T.” into the
international charts and establishes him as a solo artist.
In the same year, further productions for musicians
including Michael Jackson cause a sensation and bring him a
Grammy nomination as “best re-mixer”.
One might be forgiven for thinking that Mousse T. would
rest on his laurels after such outstanding success. Quite
the contrary: His curiosity for experimenting with new
musical variations combined with his outstanding creative
ability has driven him on. “Of course I feel very
proud when I look at my Discography. But success for me is
important mainly as a basis on which my further work as an
artist can flourish. Apart from that, success is, of
course, a great motivation and source of energy so that I
can continue to give “more than 100%”.”
This creativity and variation can also be seen in his new
album “All Nite Madness”. “As far as my
music is concerned I try to implement new ideas, and my
love of music doesn’t draw a line at any particular
musical style. So I try to mix lots of styles and develop
interesting new songs and sounds that way.”
These thoughts are also the basis for the choice of artists
on the new album, which includes Emma Lanford, Kathleen
Chaplin, Roachford and Calvin Lynch. Mousse T’s
preference for a mixture of styles is clearly evident:
“It is obviously important for me that the singers
with whom I work have a fantastic voice, but they also have
to have their own unmistakeable style. If, over and above
that, they are great people, then we can do
business.”
The fact that MOUSSE T. values people so highly is shown in
his effectiveness when working in a team. Regardless of a
person’s stature, whether one of the music greats or
an unknown musician, if the chemistry is right the
cooperation flourishes through humour and enthusiasm and
with the degree of discipline necessary for the
implementation of creative ideas. During the frenetic phase
of a track’s production, MOUSSE T.’s producer
side emerges, as he controls from the background. However,
the first hearing of new creations takes place in his
closest circle, mostly with partner Errol Rennalls, with
whom he also writes songs. “Errol and I normally
function as the “idea’s man” and the
“hook line man”. I often give a certain key
word or topic and Errol fills this initial musical
framework with meaning.” This perfect synergy can
also be found on “All Nite Madness”. Whether
you take the first single of the album “Is It
’Cos I’m Cool?“, the soulful
“Monotony“, “Turn Me On“ with
Kathleen Chaplin’s crystal clear vocals or
“Underground“ on which ex-Stranglers frontman
Hugh Cornwell lends his voice – the integrity of the
creator’s style is evident on every track.
The single „Is It’ Cos I’m Cool?“
has already developed into a huge hit in Germany and
emphasises once again the enormous potential of MOUSSE T.
songs. The LP, released on 5 April 2004 will captivate
music lovers of a wide-range of styles.
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