In the run up to the "This Is Development..." compilations full release on the 9th July we thought we'd take the time to get to know some of the artists involved

The compilation features the stompin Work That Love from the hugely talented James Johnston. Alongside previous Development Music artist Alex Agore he runs the fantastic No Matter What label. With superb releases on the likes of Kolour, 4Lux, Disko, City Fly and Under The Shade James has had an incredible few years.

James is also a fantastic DJ and we were lucky enough to see him smash a warehouse in Sheffield to bits earlier in the year. Check out his fantastic mix for the Vibes and Pepper guys HERE

We caught up with James to find out a wee bit more about the talented Scotsman...

You run the excellent "No Matter What" label with Development Music fave Alex Agore, how did that collaboration come about?

James - "Well before we met I was a massive fan of his music so I used to send him tracks and he pretended to like them which was nice. Then I got a release on 4lux so we kinda became label mates. Then we just started to Skype each other and talk loads of shite and it's been that way ever since!"

Last time our paths crossed you were in Sheffield as part of your "2012 World DJ Tour" :) What have been the highlights so far?

James - "Haha...my Epic DJ World Tour!...yeah, still haven't quiet made it out of Europe yet....but there's time ;) Well so far it's been a lot of fun and a great experience. One thing I've learned is that there is no predicting what a gig will be like so that definitely keeps me on my toes! The main highlight for me is meeting so many cool people who are are really into their music...reaffirms my faith in life! There have been many other highlights (and some low points) but I'm saving these for my tour diary which will be published by No Matter What at the end of the year ;)"

Which producers/DJ's are doing it for you at the minute?

James - "So many!! Alex Agore of course...his output is just unbelievable and always rocking!! Deymare, Jason Grove, Tomska, Fabio Monesi, Medlar, Washerman, Kool Vibe, Satore, Kastil, Tomson & Benedict, Shane Linehan, Tristan Da Cunha & Frenchy, DJ Steaw, Ethyl, Tom Craven, Undertone, Jordan Peak and many more!"

What are you up to next?

James - "I've got a bunch of remixes all coming out in the next month or so for Deymare, Tone Control & Robert Owens, Diskovery feat. Jean Honeymoon, J Cub and Monsoon plus a split EP with Alex Agore on No Matter What called A2J2 (NMW 004). I've also done two 10” EPs for Brothers Vibe's label Mixx Records which should be out soon. Beyond all that I'm doing EPs for Development, Throwing Shapes and Wilson plus an acoustic version of Marillion's legendary concept album Misplaced Childhood..."

"Gig wise, I'm doing a special live set in Paris on 7th July at Mona then I'm off to the The Garage in Leeds on the 21st July followed by Berlin at Wilde Renate on 4th August"

We still have a limited number of copies of the 12" sampler containing "James Johnston - Work That Love" are availble on our online store HERE

Check out James Soundcoud page HERE

James forthcoming gigs...

07/07/12 - PARIS @ Mona (special live set!)

21/07/12 - LEEDS @ The Garage (with Rob Mello and more tbc..)

04/08/12 - Berlin @ Wilde Renate

In the run up to the "This Is Development..." compilations full release on the 9th July we thought we'd take the time to get to know some of the artists involved

The compilation features the debut offering from The True Rebels. With further releases planned this year on the excellent Local Talk and Deepershades labels its shaping up to be a big year for the rebels.

The True Rebels are Ricky Reid (Soul Renegades) and Peter Oakden (restless soul,Soulfree Records). We caught up with them to find out more about this new collaboration.

How did this new collaboration come about?

Peter - Fate really, something i truly believe in. But we first connected over a phone call about 3/4 years ago believe it or not. Since then everything has been a natural, exciting process.

Ricky - From one phone call around 3 years ago it was obvious to us that in time we would work together at some point out with our own music projects.

What's enjoyable & good about what we do is we're friends first & foremost and with that comes a connectivity you really need in the studio . I have only met a handful of like minded people that I can have this kind of sustained creativity.

How does the process of collaborating with someone differ from working on music on your own?

Peter - I have no preference in working solo or collab because each will have moments of magic if things are right, but things tend to develop quicker when working together. We both share the same thoughts musically which makes things flow without effort, but we always bring our own individuality to the table which is really important i think. Our strong friendship defiantly reflects into our music.

Ricky - Without a doubt it has to be getting away from the single mindedness you must have in order to create & craft your own thing , I find it very interesting watching other people working and finding out how they structure things from creating drum patterns too mixing down.

What producers/DJ's are doing it for you right now?

Peter - I had the pleasure of playing back to back at a party a few weeksago with Andre Lodemann, heavy dj and for me his new album is the bestdeep house album iv ever heard for a very long time. Here are a fewDJ's/Producers that are hitting my geek spot right about now… Marlow, Craig Smith, Rainer Truby, Kenny Dope (On the 45 tip).

Ricky - Andre lodemann has been so consistent for me for a while now & after hearing some demos from my boys the 6th borough project , this is where it's at for me just now :)

Who are your biggest influences musically?

Peter - Tribe Called Quest, J Dilla, Jimmy Hendrix, Stevie Wonder, MarvinGaye, Prince, Aretha Franklin, Common, D Angelo… there's so many but those are the ones that instantly spring to mind.

Ricky - I could go on forever with influences as I have a very wide and vast collection of music from jazz , funk , Motown , proper r'nb , disco even some good ole rock'n roll , but my biggest musical influences come from Brian Wilson & John Martyn , Not for just there groundbreaking techniques in recording music or how they did things live , but there sheer knowledge & understanding of how music was put together and lyrical content alongside musical integrity.

What have you got coming up for the rest of 2012?

Peter -Of course the new compilation with you guys on Development. We havea single plus remix coming soon on Local Talk and also a single plus remix on Deeper Shades of House. We have a bunch of stuff laying around so hopefully they will all find good home soon. On a solo tip i have a song i produced last year with Tamara Wellons featuring Selina Campbell on backing vocals ready for Mr. Asher over at restless soul plus a few things laying around that will get tided up over the winter. All my time and energy is being focused into The True Rebels this year.

Ricky - With the soul renegades we will have something new out on restless soul late summer amongst other things including an album towards the end of the year .... I will also be back in the studio with the 6th borough project for there second album and a few live performances out in Spain @ vb weekender with black sauce and also performing live for the first time @ Scottish soul weekender in November ... Of course there's much more to come from the true rebels.

The limited 12" sampler containing "The True Rebels -True Rebels" is still available on Juno

For more information on The True Rebels check out their Facebook page and Soundcloud sites below.

The True Rebels

https://www.facebook.com/TheTrueRebels

Ricky Reid on Soundcloud:

http://soundcloud.com/ricky-reid

Peter Oakden on Soundcloud:

http://soundcloud.com/peteroakden

After putting out our 10th release earlier this year we decided we'd like to do a compilation that highlighted some of the fantastic music we've been lucky enough to put out over the past few years.

Rather than just looking back at old music and releasing a "best of..." we decided to add some fresh new music to the compilation to give you an idea of where Development Music is heading over our next 10 releases.

The 12" vinyl sampler is in stores now and the digital release will be on Traxsource on 9th July.

This Is Development...

1. Jamie Finlay Vs Moodymanc - People Circulate (Moodymanc Vocal Mix)

2. Ben Pearce - Hold Me

3. Ethyl & Flori - SK Jr

4. Sarp Yilmaz - Marvinizer

5. BE - Pass It On

6. Roman Fleischer - Can't Get Enough (Death On The Balcony Mix)

7. The True Rebels - True Rebels

8. Tomson feat Diamondancer - Tap the Core

9. Alex Agore - I Got Something

10. James Johnston - Work That Love

11. Atjazz & Yannah Valdevit - Info People (Atjazz Floor Dub)

12. MXM - Shifty

13. Lay-Far - BYRSLF

14. Zed Bias Feat Jenna G - Let Me Change Your Mind

Limited copies of the 12" vinyl sampler containing tracks from Ben Pearce, Sarp Yilmaz, The True Rebels and James Johnston are still available from Juno

Thanks for your support over our first 10 releases.

Tom, Andy, Chris and Mike x

Lay-far is someone we we're dying to get involved with Development Music as soon as we heard his early productions on Kev Beadle and Red Rack Em's radio shows.

He delivered a killer remix for us on our latest Manuel Sahagun release and BYRSLF from him will be featuring on our forthcoming digital compilation "This Is Development"

Check out his interview with outernational below

>>>>INTERVIEW<<<<