A jolly old knees up with A.Skillz; never an opportunity to be missed...Amanda Gegg talks fusion funk with the man of the moment.
The prospect of a funk-infused Friday night filled with dance classics is the most exciting I've had in a long time. As I walk through the doors of the Old Queen's Head I feel very lucky because A.Skillz is the man of the moment in this department and he's playing a set upstairs tonight. His funky take on breaks makes it impossible to stand still if you are anywhere near, and I, for one, am planning on dancing my socks off.
He is due on at midnight and as the clock strikes twelve, his sound is instantly recognisable. From the beginning of his two hour set right up until the end, the lively movement on the dancefloor remains consistent. His jumps from breaks to dnb to dubstep slip by almost unnoticed due to his impressively flowing continuity. There is a simple reason for his success on a night such as this: his use of funk and the fusion he creates with it. This man is so good on the decks because he knows that fusion funk is the remedy to keep people interested. And this is exactly what he says when I speak to him after the gig...
So A.Skillz, you should be very proud of what you have achieved, on the breaks scene especially. What is it you think you've been doing right?
I've always tried to give my breaks mixes a more upbeat, funkier feel. I've got loads of soul funk records and my aim has always been to fatten them up and get them noticed on the dancefloor.
They were definitely a success tonight. And it's safe to say you have been touring a lot this past year, so which country would you say is loving breaks the most at the moment?
Well there is always Australia and the USA, but I have to say Canada stood out the most. They love it, and every gig I did over there was really well received.
And what can we expect from you over the next year?
I'm going to be releasing tracks with my label Jam City Records, which is very exciting. And of course lots more gigs.
Breakspoll is right around the corner too. [He and Krafty Kuts are up for an award for one of their collaborative tracks.] Who do you personally think deserves to dominate at these awards?
It's hard to say really. I suppose Futurecast and the Plump DJs. But also Terry Hooligan. I'm not sure if he'll end up getting an award but he's come a long way on the scene this year.
And just out of interest how did you come to form your alliance with Krafty Kuts? You guys are unstoppable together.
(Laughs) I used to buy records from his shop in Brighton and it just went from there really.
Thanks A.Skillz, look forward to seeing you again soon. Good luck at Breakspoll! Now I just have to find a suitable record shop owner to become friends with...
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