District 30 boss Son of Sound has a career spanning thirty plus years, from Strictly Rhythm to MAW Records to Henry Street. We recently caught up with him…
With the sad news of the passing of Amp Fiddler landing today, we wish we got the chance to ask Henry Maldonado aka Son of Sound about the Detroit funkster and what he meant for the American ‘electronic’ scene and further. But the Brooklyn-based artist Son of Sound is steeped in the rich wealth of that American swing. Since 1991 Henry Maldonado has been releasing tracks on seminal record labels Strictly Rhythm, Emotive, King Street, Masters At Work and many others as well as having his tracks supported by Louie Vega, Kenny Dope, Roger Sanchez and Timmy Regisford. We recently caught up with Henry for a chat about the past, present and future, here’s what went down…
Hi Henry, How’re you today? Whats happening in the world of Son of Sound at the moment?
⁃ First off I want to give a heartfelt thank you for this. These days my creative life involves taking advantage of as much spare time in my studio as possible. At the moment I’m working with artists all over the world and finishing music for releases in 2024.
You’ve just released your latest Mainstream Dream EP on District 30… Tell us about it and your inspiration behind the EP?
⁃ All of my EPs (except the Unreleased DAT Tapes) are curated to be balanced and represent as many of my influences as possible. Mainstream Dream brings hip hop, soulful house, Detroit house and NY Disco. Honestly I feel Patrick Adams is a genre all to himself and the track T.Y.P. is a modest dedication to his style and influence.
You’ve been about since the 90’s releasing on labels such as the legendary Strictly Rhythm how did that come about? Can you show us some of your tunes?
⁃ I met Kenny Dope in the early stages of his career (pre MAW), somewhere between 1989 – 1990. Kenny made the connection to Strictly Rhythm. I coproduced along side David Carter and Rudy Straker then. Our first release on Strictly Rhythm was Hypnotize Me / I Wanna See You Dance. We became addicted and put out tracks pretty frequently.
- ⁃ Hypnotize Me was a track that was supposed to be on Kenny’s Dope Wax label. He was distributed through Nu Groove then. Kenny thought Strictly Rhythm would be a good move for us although he really wanted the track. He even did his own remix that was never released.
- ⁃ Boom was a track that was played out a lot by Louie Vega, Tony Humphries and many other deep house giants in New York
– I had started producing on my own around 1995 and Sunshine was a favorite of Louie Vega. I heard him play it twice at a Dance Ritual party. Listening to it now actually reminds me of the string work on Boom.
How has your sound evolved since?
⁃ When I listen to the music I produced years ago I still hear my DNA. I think what I didn’t know about making a record “sound good” gave it an innocence that today’s producers reach for in their own sound.
Where was the EP made? Can you expand on some of the notable gear/plugins you used on this?
⁃ I work in Ableton Live and rely on a lot of UA plugins. I have a bunch of outboard processing gear and synths as well but most of the mixing and mastering happens in the box. I don’t like to expand on these things because I don’t believe gear or software make the music. It’s the ideas and willingness to experiment that matter.
As a producer, what message do you hope to convey through your music? What themes or ideas do you find yourself returning to again and again in your work?
⁃ Trying to get people to feel or think or certain “thing” about your art is a great way to drive yourself crazy. My drive comes from seeing the ideas reach their fullest potential. The only thing I hope to achieve with music at my age is to make the final product be the best it can be. People are going to think and feel what they want whether it’s well received or not.
Theres a nice hip hop nuget thrown in there? Who are your favourite Hip Hop producers
⁃ Hip Hop started in my backyard and was a huge influence on all of us. Also there were so many legends to come out of my neighborhood in Queens. Marley Marl was a neighborhood hero for me. I’d also have to say Mantronix for his skill and genre bending, Pete Rock, RZA, DJ Premiere, Alchemist, Danger Mouse, Statik Selektah just to name a few.
Can you tell us more about the Vocalist ‘Garth’ who features on ‘All I Need’ ?
⁃ Garth and I met years ago. He’s an amazing singer with a very soulful R&B style in his own music. We recorded a few tracks that I honestly sat on for a few years. The time was right to start releasing my work with him.
Whats next for you? Can you tell us about any upcoming projects or collaborations you have in the works? Are there any new directions or sounds you’re exploring in your music right now?
⁃ I’ve been having a lot of fun in the studio. I honestly can’t remember the last time I had so much inspiration. One of the reasons for this is I don’t feel bound to any particular genre. I have tracks with singer Mishell Ivon, a rapper out of India named 2FISTD and a few others tracks with Garth. I’m doing a lot of experimenting and having a great time.
Hows life In New York? Can you give us your top 3 tips of things to do
⁃ Life in NY? Expensive AF! I can’t give you too much advise but there’s no shortage of Clubs in Brooklyn these days. Eli Escobar just opened a club in Williamsburg.
Give us some other NY producers we should be listening to right now.
⁃ Honestly there’s more DJs than producers in NY and I wish there were more balance. Other than the same producers who have been active for the last 40 years I wouldn’t know who to pick. Having said that I’m rooting for my guy Toribio. He’s a musician and a DJ and I think he’ll have a lot to say musically. To be fair, my attraction to artists has little to do with where they’re from.
When you’re not producing or listening to house, what other styles of music are on rotation
⁃ My car trips and routines can be set to anyone from Domi and JD Beck, Thundercat, Sampha, Hector Lavoe, Kaytranada and of course Theo Parrish, Patrice Scott, Byron The Aquarius and other certain “House” producers sneak in too.
Finally, Which are the three records that you’ve been putting in your bag without hesitating? (Please provide embed links with some words about each)
- ⁃ This hasn’t left since it was released
The rest are gonna be mine as a gift to myself for the amount of times I’ve been asked this question 😉
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Son of Sound has recently just released the ‘Mainstream Dream’ EP on his District 30 label, you can listen to it below and buy it here.
