Italian production stallion and industry veteran of 30 years Paolo Martini knows a thing or two about making and DJ’ing electronic music. During his long and storied career, Martini has released seminal cuts on esteemed imprints such as Defected, Strictly Rhythm, Universal, Azuli and Nervous alongside Giani Bini.
2017 has seen the Italian don focus on his own production with his latest gleaming cut of disco-fied house, ‘Red Rocks’ (below), finding a home on Jamie Jones and Lee Foss’ Emerald City imprint, which is out today.
Speaking about the track’s creation, Paolo Martini said: “I wanted to give these tracks a funky, disco feel, so I searched deep in my vinyl collection. I started by working minutely on a couple of samples and from that point onwards the construction of the tracks took place in a completely natural way. I tried to fit the rhythmic sections in the right places to transfer people back to the magical mood of that era.”
With over 30 years of wisdom, we sat down with the Italian production stallion for a quick five-minute chin-wag to find out what makes him tick, what he’d change about the music industry and what some of his favourite tracks are.
Hello.
Can you please Introduce yourself.
Hi all, I’m Paolo Martini long time DJ and producer.
Whereabouts are you today…?
I’m in the north of Italy in my city Verona.
And what’s the view like…?
Gives us five words that best describe your new track/release…?
Funky, Disco, Raw, Sexy, House.
Who inspired you into a life of music…?
Leonardo Re Cecchoni AKA Leopardo, a legendary DJ radio speaker of Radio Milano International/101 back in the late 70′.
Do you ever regret it…?
Never ever! ‘Music saved my life’ in the truest sense of the word.
If you could change one thing about the music industry what would it be and why…?
Illegal downloads … it’s the cancer of music nowadays! The profits go to people that don’t deserve it, they are stealing it from people’s hard work.
Mac or Windows?
Mac.
Analogue or digital?
Both.
Tea or coffee?
Coffee.
Ableton or Logic?
Logic.
Who is your favourite artist…?
I have so many .. lately, one that caught my attention is Mikey Brain, the artwork he makes for Hot Creations are just great! http://www.mikeybrain.com
What was the first record you bought…?
TSOP – The Sound Of Philadelphia
What was the last record you bought…?
The track is from last year but I just discovered recently… it’s from Qubiko – Disco Connection https://www.beatport.com/release/disco-connection/1797674
What track do you wish you’d written…?
Camelphat & Elderbrook – Cola on Defected… Tune of the summer!
What track makes you happiest…?
Diana Ross – Tenderness
What track makes you saddest…?
Youssou N’Dour – 7 Seconds ft. Neneh Cherry
What’s your favourite club…?
DC 10 – Ibiza
What’s your favourite after party record…?
Joe Smooth – Promised Land
What track has had the most influence on you…?
Not one in particular but a few from the Disco/Funk era.
Which of your own tracks are you most proud of…?
I have a few … one for sure it’s Soul Heaven done with Gianni Bini & Pasta Boys.
What’s your current favourite record…?
Jamie Jones – Kooky Music EP (Hot Creations 100)
If your studio was on fire and you go back in to save one thing, what would it be and why…?
Hard to say but definitely my computer .. I have my life on it!
