KonKrete Production
KonKrete Productions comprise of Martin West and Jim McNeilly who hail from Hackney, England and West Belfast, Ireland respectively and have been working together for over ten years. In the last couple of years they have been writng, remixing and producucing tracks for a number of artists including Street Politiks, Keisha White, Ayak, Sherissa, Bunzi D, Stock, Sam Roman, Wayne Marshall, Anton Gordon, Coree Richards and many more and submitting beats for various U.S and U.K labels both major and independant.
With multiple releases scheduled for 2005 in the UK, America and Europe 'KonKrete Productions' are ready to come down on the music industry like a ton of bricks!
Tell me about your history? How did you get where you are now?
A Biography. . .
Konkrete is the moniker for two producers from opposite ends of the music spectrum. Hotly tipped, and hailing from Stratford, East London, they currently reside at music making’s cutting edge.
Comprising unashamed studio junkie’s, Jim McNeilly, and partner in rhythm, Martin West they bring the very broadest creative inspirations to the table.
Born and raised on the mean streets of Belfast, McNeilly had a misspent youth, listening to a music mad father’s Elvis collection, his mother’s James Brown LP’s and an older brother’s Clash 45’s. Growing up during the height of the sectarian troubles, music for Jim was both a refuge and a passion, finally becoming the all consuming obsession it is today.
Production maestro, and yang to Jim’s Yin is Martin West, a new soul rebel and music minded B-Boy, responsible for laying down Konkrete’s instantly identifiable beats. Born into the multi-cultural melting pot, and urban music Mecca, Hackney, he was raised in a deeply musical family, his mother having worked as an A&R scout for Decca records throughout the sixties. The label was then home to the Rolling Stones and a host of other iconic R&B stars. Martin grew up surrounded on all sides by the very best music of every conceivable genre at home, on the streets and in the underground clubs of his inner city neighborhood. All of which proved pivotal in shaping the music Konkrete are making in 2004.
Out of the many musicians and artists to inspire him, it was musician’s, musician and hall of famer, Stevie Wonder who left a indelible mark. Martin describes this heritage artist as “ The only genuine, music genius of the last 50 yrs ”. In addition to Stevie, Motown record’s sixties and seventies roster have also hugely influenced West’s work in Konkrete.
With influences diverse as Presley, The Clash, Stevie Wonder and JB, its no accident that the East Londoners sound is so original and also hard to define, whilst always managing to remain contemporary. Jim McNeilly and partner Martin West, both love American hip-hop, dancehall reggae and street soul, all key colours in Konkrete’s musical paint box. Their music is best described as a mid Atlantic fusion of all three, with a unique and quirky, rock twist which is all their own.
Listening to their stripped down sound and expressive beats, it’s hard to believe Konkrete hail from Belfast and London respectively, because the duo’s sound is quite unlike anything currently coming from the UK, a fact the pair see as one of their many musical strengths.
The remix picture however, is just a small sample of Konkrete’s musical brief, which currently includes recording 17yr old music prodigy, singer songwriter, Sam Roman’s debut album. West and McNeilly have also written and recorded 7 tracks with Detroit’s newest white rapper, Stock, who’s currently performing stateside, and also in advanced talks with major record labels. Konkrete’s production CV has been further augmented by work with London based Jamaican singer, Sandy Lamb, and former Dome Records artiste, Vicki Young. Topping out a very credible, current production list, is the duo’s work with MOBO winners, Street Politiks on their debut long player, “A Pound And A Promise”, and former Endz front man, MC Bunzi D, whose Konkrete produced “Angles” is getting major play from BBC 1Xtra and attracting the influential attention of R1’s Jo Whiley.
Konkrete are rapidly becoming a two man music factory more than capable of producing, remixing and songwriting for a raft of credible acts, both new and established. Currently working with several major and independent record labels, in the UK and abroad, the duo aim in their own words, “To raise the bar in British music making to the highest level and to compete with our transatlantic cousins on totally equal terms.”
With passion, ambition and undeniable talent, Martin West and Jim McNeilly are perfectly placed to put the UK’s increasingly diverse music scene back on the international radar.
The past few years have seen quantum leaps in raw, home grown talent across every musical divide. Now Great Britain has Konkrete producers capable of taking that talent to the next level and beyond.
Have you performed live in front of an audience? Any special memories?
Over the years and under different we have played many venues ranging from the Mean Fiddler circiut to small intimate venues.
One of our most memorable is perhaps a recent one at London's Jazz Cafe where one of our artists, 18 year old Sam Roman supported the legendary U.S singer, Don Blackman and brought the house down.
Your musical influences
The Clash, Stevie Wonder, Donnie Hathaway, Van Morrison, Public Enemy, Dr Dre, Tupac Shakur
What equipment do you use?
Mackie analogue desk (for the old skool warmth!), Cubase SX, Neuman mics through an old blue TL valve pre-amp and joe meek outboard compressors for most vox, live bass and guitar (Gretch & Les Paul), Roland JP8000 synth, Bass Station, Nova plus much more. We prefer to use as much outboard gear as poss although there are a few decent plug ins that we occasionally use like Trilogy and BFD.
Anything else?
We tend to stay away from samples as much as, it's all about the publishing!!!!!
