RAY MANG
Ray Mang is one of the premier disco-house producers in the UK.
The musical world of producer, DJ and artist Ray Mang is an amalgamation of boogie, disco, dub-disco and house, a sound he’s perfected since his first releases in the mid-90s. He’s since put out a succession of highly polished disco-house hybrids.
He landed his first 12” Number One in ’96 on Noid Recordings which received widespread support. He has taken that classic party sound and kept it moving on ever since.
As a remixer his phone never stops ringing. He’s notched up credits for Lassigue Bendthaus, Banda Black Rio, Gorillaz, Shirley Bassey, Grand National, Beck, Doves, The Phenomenal Handclap Band, Freddie Mercury, Bloc Party, Munk, Rob Garza, Friendly Fires, Classixx, S-Express, Daniel Grau & Los Amigos Invisibles with Dimitri From Paris to name just a few.
Ray Mang launched his own label ‘Mangled’ in ’98 with a slew of killer 12-inches. Two albums followed: ‘Mangled’ (Eskimo) and ‘Mangled Again’ on his own imprint, as well as singles on R&S, Smash Hit and Bear Funk.
Recent hits include ‘Bullet Proof’ on DFA featuring Lady Miss Kier, a disco-house reimagining of a P-funk classic; and the blissed-out Balearic gem ‘Look Into My Eyes’ which instantly became a firm favourite for many.
He is a globe trotting DJ as likely to be seen in European clubs and festivals – as glamorous Brasilaian beaches. His incendiary sets blend house, disco, boogie, cosmic, balearic, latin, afro, and the rest!
Ray Mang regularly works with DJ and fellow friend of Discolypso – Bill Brewster!
Together they work under the name ‘Mang Dynasty.
Discolypso Questionnaire
What was your first musical composition, edit or remix?
From around 14 or 15 onwards I started playing in bands. Some covers and some attempts at original compositions. We collectively composed in rehearsal as well as when trying to record demo tapes which enabled me to think about as well as get involved with composition and recording. Luckily I don’t still have any of those early ones! :))
If you could have the audio stems to any track what would it be?
There are so many, some I’m lucky enough to have already, I couldn’t possibly choose one! Vast amounts of the Salsoul and Philly Int. catalogues would be a good start!
Are there any habits, processes or hacks you do to help yourself get yourself ready to make music?
For me having an uncluttered environment and, as much as anyone can, mind is a good starting point. But really you just have to stop procrastinating and get down to it (*note to self). It can often take some time just doing until you reach the good stuff. And frequently things that may seem useless at the time will lead to something better or end up being handy at a later date. So try not to get disheartened if things don’t always feel like they are going well. Try to make music as part of your daily routine
Which musical acts do you feel have not been dealt their fair hand in the annals of time?
Cymande, Osibissa, Jon Lucien, Boyd Jarvis, Gwen Guthrie, Daphne Oram and Delia Derbyshire to name but a few.
Which acts are really exciting you at the moment?
Today I’ve been enjoying a bit of Mad Mad Mad
What do you wish we had more of in the electronic music scene?
Cowbell!
Do you have an album or DJ set that you listen to repeatedly and would like to share with us?
Been listening again to Charly Kingson – Born In Africa a fair bit recently.
Three books everyone should read once?
Disco – Albert Goldman
The Moon’s a Balloon – David Niven
Under a Hoodoo Moon – Mac Rebbennack
Three albums everyone should hear once?
Songs in The Key Of Life
Sign Of The Times
Zombie
What was the first record you can remember buying? Or tell us about an important early musical experience.
The first time I bought a record for myself was in ’79 at the age of 8 I think. My older brother took me down to the 7” chart section at Woolworths and I was allowed to choose a couple of singles from the top forty. I plumped for disco anthem Gloria Gaynor – I Will Survive and Quantum Jump – The Lone Ranger (originally released 3 years earlier the bbc stopped playing it after three weeks due to gay content, it was re-released in ’79 with added distinctive quirky intro which later would be used by the Kenny Everett TV show).
When did you decide your future would be in music, and is it your main focus?
I was already pretty keen as a teenager playing drums in bands, gigging and starting to record. Then I went to University in Manchester in the ’89 – ’92. I Was bitten by house music, clubbing, record collecting and DJing whilst continuing to drum in bands and record with them. A module in the first year of my course also taught me the architecture of the Atari ST which happened to be the industry standard midi sequencer of the time. This was also the advent of the home studio being a relatively affordable viable option. Everything in my life seemed to be converging and I vowed to head to London after my degree and set up a home studio. For better or worse, that has pretty much been my main focus ever since.
If money and death was not a factor - who would play at your wedding or birthday - both live acts and djs?
Again so many it’s an impossible choice – Fela Kuti with the Arica ’70, Prince, Stevie Wonder, Airto and Flora, Herbie Hancock, Teddy Pendergrass, Ashford & Simpson, Walter Gibbons, Larry Levan, and the list goes on…
If you had the Discolypso time travel machine - where would you go to?
Back to Freddie’s 41st bday party at Pikes or forward to the other side of Covid 19.
What are some of your favourite quotes?
A few that spring to mind:
“After silence, that which comes nearest to expressing the inexpressible is music”.
“Melody is king, and don’t you ever forget it”
“We want the finest wines available to humanity! We want them here and we want them now!”
