Michael Jackson Remixed

Vince Lawrence : Slang Music Group

Vince Lawrence is an internationally recognised innovator in dance and house music. Music Industry insiders recognise Vince as co-author of the first sound recording that was officially designated as "house music". Credited with the initial organisation of Trax Records, a seminal Chicago based House label, Lawrence has exposed some of the dance world's greatest prodigies, including Marshall Jefferson, Adonis, Byron Styngly, Farley Jackmaster Funk, Ron Hardy, and Jesse Saunders while inspiring many others.

As founder of the Slang Music Group and co-founder of Flatblast Entertainment, Vince Lawrence has evolved from artist and producer to entrepreneur and marketer. The Slang Music Group is a collective of music producers that specialise in creating original music for a variety of projects.

Noted for achievements in house music, owner and producer Vince Lawrence has created a music factory. The Slang Music group has associations with over a dozen producers, each having already distinguished themselves in the music industry. Michael Jackson, R. Kelly, Snoop Dogg, B2k, Jagged Edge and various other acts on Sean 'Puff Daddy' Combs' Bad Boy Entertainment label are just a handful of the many artists who's work has had the Slang Music Group treatment.

Michael Jackson Remixed was granted permission to undertake a world exclusive interview with Vince Lawrence, to discuss his music, remixing and about the remix production of Michael Jackson's "One More Chance." Vince Lawrence remixed and produced two remixes which were released on the 12" promo vinyl single of "One More Chance."

MJR: Which artists and music styles would you list as your influences for the music that you create today?

Vince Lawrence: I find my influences in cultures more so than in one particular artist or another. Stylistically speaking, I think that the style of our remixes here at Slang Music is affected by how the record started in its original state.....what we hear in the clubs, what records I play when I spin out, or even the kind of mood I am in. Inspiration for me is everywhere.
Production wise, I am influenced by guys like Trevor Horn, Quincy Jones, Prince, and Arthur Baker. I really like the sounds they get and their willingness to take risks with new things or the seemingly strange combination of radically different old styles....I have an addiction to 'low end' stuff, like in underground house, but I love the clarity that comes from big production projects as well. That's why I try and do both. Beauty and power make kick ass babies.

MJR: How did the Slang remixes of "One More Chance" come about?

Vince Lawrence: We had recently finished remixes of "Ignition" by R. Kelly and someone at Sony Music who was working on the Michael Jackson Number Ones project heard the Ignition Remixes out in club-land and asked us to be involved.

MJR: What were your influences for the creation of the Slang Remixes for "One More Chance" ?

Vince Lawrence: The first remix we completed, entitled "Slang Remix", was very influenced by Latin-American nightlife culture, with lots of Latin based piano and percussion from a local club performer called Louie Louie. We recorded nylon guitars to incorporate into the remix as well, but due to time constraints we couldn't get them in the final mix down. I love this one particular Salsa and Meringue spot here in Chicago, so sometimes I bring a little bit of that influence home to the studio with me. I have been hanging out with 80's DJ, Felix Da Housecatt, and I think with the second remix, "Slang Electro Remix" I just wanted to create something that would fit into his DJ style. I had a great time on my birthday when Felix span at my party at Crobar, so again I would say inspiration is everywhere.

MJR: Can you describe the processes and methods you used in the creation of the "One More Chance" Remixes?

Vince Lawrence: We have a nice rig with lots of fun stuff to work with (see photo below). We use our tools much like one would use their hand or maybe the toaster. For us it is always about the pursuit of the vibe. We even decorate the room, dress up, bring in actors and dancers, basically, whatever it takes to get the vibe going inside the studio.

MJR: Has Michael Jackson heard any of your work and if he has, what does he think of it?

Vince Lawrence: Mr. Jackson, the consummate perfectionist, approves everything released in his name.... so I assume he has heard our work prior to the release of "One More Chance". Unfortunately, we have never met due to the marvels of modern technology, but we hope he likes it.

MJR: If you could remix any other songs from Michael Jackson's extensive back catalogue, which would you choose and why? and what styles of remixes would you create?

Vince Lawrence: If I had the chance, I would like to remix "Forever Came Today" - a Jackson 5 song from the disco era. It's actually a song that I used to dance to in my youth and I love it to this very day. As to the style, we see when we see!

MJR: In the past, artists such as Madonna and Janet Jackson have released up-tempo/dance tracks as 'original' songs. What do you think of the idea if Michael were to do this at some point in his career?

Vince Lawrence: I would welcome any opportunity to work with a talent such as Michael's. I think that dance music is the new frontier and forward thinking artists are embracing the future. P. Diddy promises to release a dance album at some point in the future and other artists like Missy Elliot and Outkast are jumping on the TechHouse bandwagon.

MJR: Which other producers and writers would you like to see Michael Jackson work with and why?

Vince Lawrence: I think that Michael chooses only the best and that each artists' work speaks for itself. Outkast, Trevor Horn, Pharrell and Chad Kroger immediately come to mind however.

MJR: Which other artists would you personally like to work with or remix for in the future?

Vince Lawrence: Outkast, Trevor Horn, Pharrell and Chad Kroger would be a great place to start. I am also particularly fond of the voice of the artist known only as 'Seal'. I wouldn't mind working with him. It has really been a dream come true working on these remixes for Michael Jackson though.

Copyright © 2004 Michael Jackson Remixed / Vince Lawrence / Slang Music Group. All rights reserved

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