How do you feel to have been chosen to represent the UK, as one of the UK's house mafia at KOKO on the 20th December?
Ha ha…that’s news to me… I’m not Italian and I’m not a gangster but I’ll take it as a compliment! (SH)

This is the only dance music event at KOKO over Christmas, have you ever played there before? What do you think of the venue?
I used to play there years ago when it was Camden Palace but it’s my first time playing for Koko. I remember seeing Masters At Work playing there and Be Be Winans performing… happy days. I’ve heard good things about Koko so I’m really looking forward it.

Tell us a little about how you started out in the house music industry?
I’ll try to keep it brief. Worked in Soho records shops for 10 years during which time I wrote for various magazines, secured a residency at a weekly night in London called The Satellite Club (I was resident in U.S House room and Meck was resident in the U.K house room), started to produce and release records, landed the role of A&R manager for Slip’N’Slide then moved to Defected and then left to set up the Big Love label with my Janet Bell.

What's been the most successful track you've produced or remixed?
My single “Last Night A DJ Saved My Life” which entered the Top 15 of UK National charts and my remix for Bootyluv’s “Boogie 2Nite” which peaked at No.2.

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What artists have you collaborated with over the years and who have you learnt the most from?
I pick up different influences from many different people. Over the years I’ve worked with various musicians and engineers - people behind the scenes as apposed to ‘artists’.

If you had to pick one area that you would work in, would it be DJing or producing?
I think in the long term it would be producing. In the future when I’m too old to DJ I’d like to just produce/write music.

Have you got any special tracks or new releases you'll be playing for your fans on the 20th December?
Of course. I can’t tell you too much as that would spoil the surprise but I will be spinning various hot mixes of the new Haji & Emanuel single “The Presure”, a new track I’ve done with hip house legend KC Flight, some new remixes for Craig David and Brandy and lots of exclusives from our Big Love label.

What music do you listen to when not house?
Lots of stuff Ska, reggae, R’n’B from the 60’s, 70’s and 80’s and new stuff like LCD Sound System and Ladyhawke, Justice… lots of different stuff really. From all types of black music to some rock and pop.

DJing all over the world, has there been anywhere that really sticks out as somewhere you enjoy playing?
MN2S at El Divino everytime and Mass in Seoul, Korea was amazing!

What other challenges and goals have you set yourself for the years ahead?
Developing the label by doing more of our own compilations, label club nights, artist albums would be nice and on a personal note I’d like to produce music for TV and film and maybe work with some pop acts if the project was right.

And finally, what time are you playing at KOKO?
I’m playing 1:30-2:30 so it’s gonna be an action packed 60 minutes!