Sacha Mambo: The Ransom Note Mix

Music

There is an heir of elegance and sophistication about the man behind one of France's most interesting record labels at present. Macadam Mambo is celebrating five years in business having released some spectacular music from the likes of Mori Ra, Traxx, The Pilotwings, Samo DJ, Muslim Disco Club and many more. The label was formed in 2012 alongside Guillaume des Bois and has since amassed a reputation for it's extraordinary variety and diversity in sound. Sacha also produced himself, MZKBX is a name familiar to many amidst the electronic music community and his own work draws upon an array of far reaching influences. These tastes are also represented through the music which he collects and plays out in clubs, a creative digger with a keen sense of exploration.

We are delighted to welcome Sacha Mambo to the Ransom Note mix series. Listen and read the interview below:

Please introduce yourself… Who are you, where are you and what are you?

I’m Sacha mambo, I’m 38, I live in Lyon, in France, I run the record label Macadam Mambo, I also used to produce electronic music under my alias MZKBX. I’m earning my life djing, organising parties and doing graphic design sometimes.

What does your music sound like?

I can’t really say what it sounds like maybe eclectic, I like to call it "Banana Music", it’s mostly old school stuff from the late 60’s to nowadays in every kind of gender but more hippy, punk, new wave, esoteric or afro style oriented..

Can you draw what you think it sounds like for us (an image from the old internet is acceptable)?

I don’t have the time to draw now but I think this painting fits perfectly.

What was the inspiration behind the label?

The inspiration behind the name « Macadam Mambo » comes from the french punk band Bérurier Noir's album « Macadam Massacre », macadam is a popular expression we use in France to call the ground in the street. Mambo comes from the voodoo religion, it’s the name of the priestess. That gives a good combination which reflects the spirit of the label.

The motto « L’important dans la vie c’est de continuer de danser ! » came latter and is taken from a recording that Jacques Mesrine, a famous french outlaw, made of him, a kind of testament, "what matter happens the most important in life is to continue to dance".

Where did the visual concept stem from?

I did the logo inspired by the Bérurier Noir cover of « Macadam Massacre », but initially I started doing it as a writing until I found the good idea.

What are you looking for when it comes to signing a record?

I’m not specially looking for something precisely, I just want to be surprised, I like specially when it’s really weirdo and adventurous. The idea is to bring something fresh and original with the possibilities we have, no matter of style, just presenting what we think is good, following every direction. Usually I like to work with good friends of mine who are doing music or edits, very rarely with people I don’t know or never met before. They propose me stuff, from that I decide if we can do a record together.

Where was the mix recorded?

I recorded the mix at home like I mostly do

What would be the ideal setting to listen to the mix?

I would say with your headphones while walking or travelling by train or by car.. but you can also listen to it on your hifi by a late lonely night..

What should we be wearing?

Strange question I’m not sure if I understand well (excuse my french), if it’s during the lonely night maybe you should be naked on your bed, if it’s in the train or while you’re walking in the street it will be more complex.

What would be your dream setting to record a mix: Location/system/format?

Technically my basic set up at home is really nice, I’m not sure I would like to find another place, change it or dream of something else, I maybe need buy some new speakers.. but what you get into your record collection is more important to me. One time I had the idea to order a super nice rotary mixer, but after reflexion I cancelled the order, it was super stupid to put so much money into a toy instead of buying a new synthesizer for exemple.

Which track in the mix is your current favorite?

The track which starts at 1’15’00 at the end, it’s by the father of my friend Aki, Jim Yamouridis called « Friend There Is Trouble » that I play in 45 instead of 33, the melody is amazing.

What’s your favourite recorded mix of all time?

It’s difficult to say but let’s go for Beppe Loda « Elettronica Meccanica 22 » from 1986

If you could go back to back with any DJ from throughout history, who would it be and why?

Probably a common answer, but Ron Hardy is the one who gets me into this eclecticism, going back to back is another story..

What was your first DJ set up at home and what is it now?

I started with really cheap turntables and shitty mixer, I don’t remember the name.. Now, since about 10 years I have a basic vinyl set up : two sl1200 and an old Freevox DJ7 mixer, no effects, no cd’s, just a box I made for the mixer which is ace, you feel you’re at the control of a space ship.

What’s more important, the track you start on or the track you end on?

Every track counts, but the beginning is really important to put you in a mood, on this mix I start and finish with the same one, so you can listen in loop.

What were the first and last records you bought?

The really first record I bought myself was a tape of the De La Soul Is Dead album when I was 11 if I remember well.
The last record is an old compilation of experimental music called « Fix Planet! » on Ata Tak

If this mix was an edible thing, what would it taste like?

Passion fruit

If it was an animal what would it be?

A camel (doesn’t have anything to do with the passion fruit, but it’s the first thing coming in my mind)

One record in your collection that is impossible to mix into anything?

One full record which is un-mixable is difficult to find, there is always one track that you can mix or insert in some way, I think it’s more a question of taste, if you want to listen to it in a mix or not, and of course I have bad records with zero good track in it, that I actually should put in trash if I was reasonable..

Upcoming in the world of…

Macadam Mambo there are a few records coming for the rest of the year, a new compilation of Edits called « Danzas Electricas » which will be out mid-may, then another compilation of new productions called « Simple Music Experience Vol.2 » that will be out late June, it’s mostly industrial, punk, experimental music from french underground artists.

After the summer, the first LP of Jin Cromanyon, a japanese singer. Just after, a Krautrock band from Lyon called Abschaum, also first LP, just after, the first LP of Eva Geist, and I’m also working on other projects but I think this will be enough for 2017.

On my artist side, I have a track on a split EP coming on the new label launched by BAR Rotterdam, but I’ve no idea when it will come out..