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Timmion records

Drumsuite: What music did you grow up with ?

Dont remember...I was not so much into music until i got a tape from my friend with tracks from Marvin gayes "trouble man", Isaac Hayes "three tough guys", Herbie hancock and Early Funkadelic. I really liked what i heard. That got me into records, I started collecting records, going to fleamarkets and just picking up every record that seemed interesting.

Who is/was your biggest influence and helped you shape the sound you have today ?

Must Be the Meters and Booker T. MG's, the core of our sound. But we have new influences. We are picking up new influences here and there, and putting it together with our sound.

Can you tell us how The Soul Investigators came about ?

We started around 1997 as a quartet with organ, guitar, drums and bass. We were supposed to start a surf band but the funk sound came more naturally as we all were into more of the funk sound.

I remember reading somewhere that you was'nt even aware that in other countrys other bands were also doing the same thing as you ?

After we had started the band it took 2 weeks to get the first 7" recorded. It was when Desco records was also starting. We had no idea about them, was there even internet in 1997???

Your first 2 releases are on Jive, is it through these two 45's that you came in contact with soulfire records ?

Our first 7" was on JIVE, we send out those 45's to different record shops in UK and USA. Phillipe who had just started SOUL FIRE picked one from A-1 in NYC and liked what he heard and signed us to SOUL-fire. We cut the LP "soul strike" and 7" titled "compin & Smokin/Damper down popcorn" for his label.

At what point did you feel the band needed a singer ?

We just wanted to develop our sound so we picked up a horn section & singer.

Being a part of the 'New funk' movement how do you see it progressing ?

Lot's of great new groups are doing great music, it's great. Maybe there will be some x-over hits and it will break to mainstream? dont know. We are just doing our music for ourselves and it's great so many people are enjoying our music also. Thank you for this.

Is there any 'old artist' that you'd like to record with ?

I really like to do a record with Frankie coe, Charles Mintz & james Brown:) there are many....

You've toured a bit with the Investigators, what is your favourite city and clubnight at the moment ?

Soul Sides club in Helsinki is great, top guest DJ's from all over the world, & great music.

The Timmion stable has gained a great following and respect, you must feel very proud of this. ?

This is nice, thank you.

You've even scored chart succes, thats quite unique for todays 'deep' funk bands !

It's about having a great SONG AND PERFECT TIMING:)

Whats the 'scene' like in Finland ?

There is no 'scene' !

What's your top 3 tipples ?

1."jALO-VIINA" vodka tipped with cognac, 2.Black russian 50/50 Vodka & kahlua, 3. Longero

Future plans if you can share them ?!

To continue doing music..

Thanks for taking the time out to do this interview is anything else you'd like to say ?

Thanks to all who have come to see us Live and brought our records.

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