(interview originally published in 2003/04)

JJazproJect is very proud to present to you one of New Jersey’s (not to mention the scene’s) most prominent and influential producers. Duron ‘Dipp’ Tarik has more than ten years production experience and has worked with some of the finest names in soulful house and garage. He is also co-owns one of the most traditional New York based labels in the industry (Basscleff Records) with friends and partners Jose Burgos and Julio ‘Duce’ Martinez.

With forthcoming releases on Spacekat, 83 West and Lefunken’s own imprint Eclectic, the next 12 months are going to prove very busy. Duron talks about his start in the scene, his involvement in Basscleff, his new label and production partner and a whole lot more.

Where are you located?
I’m located in East Orange NJ. USA

Duron, you’ve been involved with House and Garage music for well over ten years, when and how did you first get introduced to the scene?

Well I‘m late to the scene, although I have been dj’ing since the mid 80’s. I got introduced to the scene in the early 90’s by older friends of mine they did the whole Garage, 54 & loft parties.

How did you first get into Djing?
I use to battle a friend of mine at edits with two tape decks and a turntable. From there I got the dj bug. That was 84-85.

New Jersey really seems to making noise recently, how has the local scene developed over the years?
I would say it is coming a long well, we have some parties that are consistent right now mainly: Think Soul.(Mondays)and 43st café(Saturday). You can find me at these parties every week (good music, good vibe).

Would you say that New Jersey was fertile ground for music, creatively, spiritually and personality wise?
Yes, I could say that. NJ has a lot of talent just ready to come out and be exposed.

You’re famous for being involved with many of the Soul Creation’s works and more notably Jose Burgos’s recent productions on joint owned Basscleff Records, have you any more projects with either of the two in work?
Right now I’m concentrating on Eclectic Records and Lefunken productions (that’s the new label I started & the production team of Tyrone Payton & myself) but who knows what the future may hold for us?

How did you get to know Jose Burgos and Julio Martinez? How did the Soul Creation form?
I knew Julio”Duce”Martinez since the 80’s we use to do a lot of mobil parties together like around 92-94 he, introduced me to Jose Burgos right after. They had formed Soul Creation they quickly inducted me into the group and we started the lable Bassclef that was mid 95.

You’re productions really emphasise the soulful and, melodic aspects of house music, has this approach been encouraged or influenced by anybody or anyone over the years?
I would say that I have been influenced by a lot of the R&B stuff because I love real songs, for dance music I try to do real good songs with dance beats under them

Two of my favourite releases of yours have to be ‘Better Days’ on Basslcleff with Jose Burgose and ‘Sweet Water’ on Tom Kat’s SpaceKat imprint, for me the two really illustrate a good retro kind of soul vibe with great attention paid to instrumentation, how do you go about producing these sort of tracks? Work the instruments round the vocal or vice versa?

I start with the music first unless it’s a remix.

For you, what is the most important piece of equipment in the studio?
I would say my cpu with Logic 6 in it that’s like the steering wheel to the car

With all the interest in the UK, have you got any plans to visit?
Yes I plan on making my first trip to London late this year

You’ve got a busy year coming up this year with two more releases on Spacekat Records – ‘Dip’s Groove (mixes from Jon Cutler released early September) and Not Over feat Children Speaking (Due October). On top of these you have two fresh productions on your own imprint ‘Eclectic Records’. Can you tell us about any of these and, are you feeling ‘the burn’?
Not feeling any burn we have just begun, we have a lot of work to do. More with SpaceKat & Eclectic Records also look out for Lefunken productions

What was the idea behind Eclectic Records?
At the time Eclectic was formed a lot of the labels were following the trend of more peak & disco releases, I wanted to start a label that stay true to were we started.

Your latest releases have been produced under the name Lefunken (the partnership between yourself and Tyrone Payton) how did this union form?
Tyrone Payton & myself have been working together for like a year now and we thought it would be better to use a group name since we plan on working together longer. The Do Right/Angel are the first projects under the group name Lefunken, more to come.

Can you tell us about TP’s background?
My production partner Tyrone Payton is from the group Intense known for work on Acebeat, Movin & soundmen on wax, just to name a few he's had release on all of these label and more over the last few years.

You’re a member of Housecallz.com, how did you originally get involved with this project?
I met the owner of the site from a mutual friend. I saw what they had to offer and we kicked it off, I met the whole family they’re wonderful.

As computers and technology evolve more people are trying their hands at producing their own cuts, have you got any advice for them?
Take your time and study your craft. I think if you do what you feel it will flow better and show in our work.

What’s the next year got in store for you and where do you want to be in a year’s time?
The new years got a lot more work for Eclectic/Lefunken you’ll be seeing us around for some time. In a year’s time I want to be in the studio still creating good music, I love the studio.

With The Advent of eclectic and your various other projects in the works, how long do you spend in the studio?
We work 5 days a week in the studio.

Of the artists you've worked with in the past, who is most enjoyable to work with and what qualities are important to you as the producer?
I’m very picky with Artists so the ones we use are like family by the time we get in the studio. The most enjoyable would have to be Tyrah, she's dedicated & focused.

The official release for Do Right (ECR-004) with mixes from Quentin Harris and Tyrone Francis due out September 25th (distributed through Greyhound)

Angel due in October.

This article was researched and created by James Donald and may not be reproduced without the consent of both the author and JJazproJect Magazine.