Ron Carroll, Lifting you every time.

I might as well cut straight to the point; Ron Carroll is a talented man. He can spin gorgeous Chicago house; the world's finest house producers want a piece of him and he sings, in a beautiful, awe-inspiring gospel choir style.

Having started singing at the age of five and unbeknownst to many of us on this side of the planet Ron has been djing and producing since the early 80's. 'I would sing and make tracks live with a 909 hooked up like a turntable. I was creating music whilst a party was going on. Once I had a concept, I would blend it in like a record and then sing over it.' In 1994 Ron worked alongside Louie Vega, the track 'I get lifted', became a #1 Billboard Dance Hit. From there success has continued to follow, Ron co-wrote, sang and arranged the vocals for Byron Stingily's The Purist album. Frankie Knuckles, Destinys Child and Kathy Brown have all experienced the Ron Carroll touch, and when Ron teamed up with French group Super Funk, the track Lucky Star sold a whopping 2,000,000 copies.

Despite having an impressive track record and reputation to match, Ron admits that taking his career from beyond Chicago and the USA has proved to be somewhat difficult. 'As far as the American market, I was a DJ first, but for the rest of the world they only know you for what comes out of the country, and for me it has always been singing. I have been djing for 20 years and making non-commercial party tracks for about 10 years, but as the rest of the world thinks I have only just started, breaking into the market of djing and producing has been difficult, but its cool I have patience.'

It's this very patience and passion that has fuelled Ron Carroll's career to date. Allowing him to have worked with arguably house music's finest, Louis Vega. 'He was incredible to watch. If you have ever seen him DJ, you can see how excited he gets behind the decks; he is the same way in the studio. Jumping up and down when he loves what he is doing musically. I really enjoyed working with him, and hope we will collaborate again soon.' Collaborating as wonderful as it can be does at times work against an artist 'I do believe in a lot of cases that two heads are better than one. I have worked with many people and a lot of good has come of it, but there have been many times when the other person wants to be the star and wont give credit where its due. This is why I have chosen to work alone now.' These issues aside, Ron still aspires to work alongside a few talented others. 'I would have to say Ashford and Simpson on a writer/artist level and I know I'm dreaming but I would to work with Quincy Jones on a house project.'

Ron's style in the studio tends to be a relaxed and carefree one. 'A lot of times I go in blind, not knowing at all what to do. I like it that way, especially when at the end of the day you come out with something you are really pleased with.' Ron finds the best method for song writing lies with the simple virtue of going with ones feelings. 'I always feed off the track and what it gives me lyrically.' Is it possible then that Ron's intuition in the studio can lead to knowing when a song is going to be number one or sell a million copies- 'The first thing an artist or producer should do is go into the studio just for the love of making people dance and feel the music. The hit record is just the added surprise to your long journey, if it is meant for you to have one. When ' I get lifted' reached #1 it was a surprise and an excitement for me, no question.' Humble and honest, and let Ron tell you. 'I still get excited when my name appears on a record and I still feel a chill when people dance to a song I had something to do with.'

Ron will be touring Australia shortly where he hopes to share his love for music with everyone. As for the remainder of the year, there are a few little secrets brewing. Some involving fellow producer Spero Pagos and 'Ministers at Work.' The other, to do with Bangin' Enterprise, Ron's club from< Tags