Hectic tracks down Brendan from The Debonairs to talk about the CD, 'Black Country Route, The Story So Far..' Brendan first explains the label is named after "a particularly nice stretch of dual carriageway between Wolverhampton & Dudley".

'house' is not a one trick pony -- open your ears -- you know, put out something a little bit more challenging but not just a load of clicks & blips

The first release came about, as "Mick (BCR) and I both wanted to start a label. We had 'U Need Me' to put out and it had been knocked back by a couple of labels so we thought, 'put it out yourself'. That was in 2000. I designed a logo and Mick got the cash together. Hey presto, a record label".

'U Need Me' by The Debonairs is a hybrid housey, soulful, jazzy, funky mix and follows Brendan's musical background. He says, "My first release was for a house label called Cleveland City Records. I was bang into dance music then, not just house. I then released drum & bass tunes for Urban Flavour. When that then came unstuck, I got into the jazzier side of things. I've a big love of good songwriting and soul music that gives you something to think about. The soulful quality is something producers should concentrate on a bit more I think. I actually had emails from a really big Northern Soul fan about that tune."

One Deck & Popular's first track is called 'Son Of Stitt'. It's a tribute to King Stitt who was a DJ for Coxsone Dodd in the 60s. The single was later included on the Fabric 10 compilation by Doc Martin.

The next release was a mutual crossbreed of One Deck & Popular's remix of 'U Need Me' and The Debonairs remix of 'Son Of Stitt'. It got radio plays from Radio 1's Rob Da Bank and Zak Frost at Ministry of Sounds.

The Debonairs' 'What's That' sounds like a Cameo funk computer game meets Hall & Oats. Brendan explains, "We (The Debonairs) love the whole disco/soul/80s sounding crossover stuff. Some people call it boogie. For me, it was about appreciating 'da funk' in electronic music and saying 'house' is not a one trick pony -- open your ears -- you know, put out something a little bit more challenging but not just a load of clicks & blips." Such as their next tune, 'Miami Vice'. It's not a cover of the TV theme. "The name was because of the way the track made us feel," Brendan says, "dirty & cheap like a lady of the night in said TV show".

So what are Brendan's current plans? "I'm working with a rapper (Wayney G - he's 19, from Wolverhampton) who featured on the last Streets' album. Our next step is to get a 'live' set together". Brendan currently lives in Nottingham. The other Debonair, Dan is in Wolverhampton whilst Mick, 'One Deck' Pete (see link below) and Popular are now based in London.

The CD ends with tracks from One Deck & Popular that originally appeared on 'The Enrico' EP. Mr. Scruff enjoyed it and it made Undercover Magazine's single of the month at the time. Further releases are planned this year so I'm really looking forward to more chapters in the story from the Black Country Route. Bostin as some might say.

Links:
Email: blackcountryroute@hotmail.com

SATURDAY 23RD APRIL 05: Charity Shop Crate-Digger Promotions Present:
BREAK/THE/STEREO! With MISTAH BROWN (Tighten Up/FREESPEECH!/Funky Kingston) & special guest ONE-DECK PETE (One-Deck & Popular) spin a rump-shakin' mish-mash of everything that made you dance before you were so worried about what was cool! more info: mistahbrown@hotmail.co.uk
The Warwick, 45 Essex Rd, London N1. 8pm til 1am FREE ENTRY

King Stitt [See photo 'The Ugly One', click on 'Reggae' and he's second to last on the bottom row]
The Moog, Nottingham: See Brendan & Dan Lye ('Only Love'). "we play all day Sunday, playing in what we hope is a Mancuso / Loft vibe - playing allsorts of soulful stuff. It's on 24th April and then every 2 weeks".
Wayne G RWD: IT AIN'T A LONDON THING!!!
Bostin Adj. Great, good, enjoyable. E.g."She had a bostin figure." [W. Midlands use]