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There are producers
whose work is immediately associated with success, and whose talent
for seeking out new national and international voices is celebrated.
In Germany there are only a few such figures in the music industry.
Of these, there are even less whose Discography reads like a “Who’s
Who” of the music scene. Mousse T. is one of those very few,
whose songs “Horny” and “Sex Bomb” have provided
a good example of the power harnessed when intuition and precision
come together.
But who is
the person behind these productions which consistently find their
way into the charts? Mustafa Gündogdu, alias Mousse T., born
in 1966 in Hagen, Germany, describes his success succinctly: “I
am a music lover with humour, who gives more than 100% for his love”.
This love of music brought him to Hanover in 1990 where he set up
his own studio while he was still keyboarder for the band “Fun
Key B”. Two years later he gets to know the owner of Peppermint
Park Studios and extends the label into dance floor music. At the
same time, Mousse T. pursues his ongoing passion for DJing with
great enthusiasm. In 1993 he founds, along with the owners of Peppermint
Park and his partner Errol Rennalls, the label “Peppermint
Jam Records” at a time when Mousse T. is starting to make a
name for himself as a DJ on a wider stage. Several productions with
international greats such as Ziggy Marley, Mezzoforte and Randy
Crawford are the consequence. In 1998 the single “Horny”
catapults the name “MOUSSE T.” into the international
charts and establishes him as a solo artist. In the same year, further
productions for musicians including Michael Jackson cause a sensation
and bring him a Grammy nomination as “best re-mixer”.
One might be
forgiven for thinking that Mousse T. would rest on his laurels after
such outstanding success. Quite the contrary: His curiosity for
experimenting with new musical variations combined with his outstanding
creative ability has driven him on. “Of course I feel very
proud when I look at my Discography. But success for me is important
mainly as a basis on which my further work as an artist can flourish.
Apart from that, success is, of course, a great motivation and source
of energy so that I can continue to give “more than 100%”.”
This creativity
and variation can also be seen in his new album “All Nite Madness”.
“As far as my music is concerned I try to implement new ideas,
and my love of music doesn’t draw a line at any particular
musical style. So I try to mix lots of styles and develop interesting
new songs and sounds that way.”
These thoughts
are also the basis for the choice of artists on the new album, which
includes Emma Lanford, Kathleen Chaplin, Roachford and Calvin Lynch.
Mousse T’s preference for a mixture of styles is clearly evident:
“It is obviously important for me that the singers with whom
I work have a fantastic voice, but they also have to have their
own unmistakeable style. If, over and above that, they are great
people, then we can do business.”
The fact that
MOUSSE T. values people so highly is shown in his effectiveness
when working in a team. Regardless of a person’s stature, whether
one of the music greats or an unknown musician, if the chemistry
is right the cooperation flourishes through humour and enthusiasm
and with the degree of discipline necessary for the implementation
of creative ideas. During the frenetic phase of a track’s production,
MOUSSE T.’s producer side emerges, as he controls from the
background. However, the first hearing of new creations takes place
in his closest circle, mostly with partner Errol Rennalls, with
whom he also writes songs. “Errol and I normally function as
the “idea’s man” and the “hook line man”.
I often give a certain key word or topic and Errol fills this initial
musical framework with meaning.” This perfect synergy can also
be found on “All Nite Madness”. Whether you take the first
single of the album “Is It ’Cos I’m Cool?“,
the soulful “Monotony“, “Turn Me On“ with Kathleen
Chaplin’s crystal clear vocals or “Underground“ on
which ex-Stranglers frontman Hugh Cornwell lends his voice –
the integrity of the creator’s style is evident on every track.
Seven presents
Martin Solveig – January 22nd,
52 Albert Rd, South Melbourne
Tank's 4th
Birthday Party feat Mousse T - 25 January 2005
3 Bridge Lane, Sydney
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