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The Reaver aka Mr G aka Colin McBean: Analogue & Electro

Author: Jonty Adderley
Saturday, May 11, 2002
"I thought I didn't have a place in that scene, because of that perception they have, that if you leave it, you become a traitor. So I thought I'd do it under a different name."

During the 8 years he produced as one half of the Advent, Colin McBean established himself as one of the world's top techno producers though when he left the duo in 1999 he also partially distanced himself from the genre. However, fiercely individualistic, and drenched in the values of integrity that served him so well, he continued to record under a whole slew of names including Mr G and his latest incarnation The Reaver.

Named after a play station character, The Reaver highlight his typically uncompromising approach to music, being strictly a once a year vinyl release only, with no additional pressings when it sells out. "I want it to be available for people who really want it," he told Skrufff's Jonty Adderley last week. "Not for someone coming along in six months with loads of money, saying "I'll buy the whole catalogue". Chatting in a central London cafe, he's cheerful, friendly and calm, clearly at ease with the niche he's created.

Skrufff: Your latest project The Reaver only comes out once a year, why-

Mr G: "The Reaver was a project that is the nearest thing to my techno roots and I thought I didn't have a place in that scene, because of that perception they have, that if you leave it you become a traitor. So I thought I'd do it under another name, which is based on a character in the Playstation game. The first one I did ended up on Darren Emerson then later Seb Fontaine's Global Underground compilations last year, though a lot of people still don't know it's me. I think once a year is a great way of testing how well I'm doing in the market place and testing whether people are actually following my sound."

Skrufff: Are you still listening to much techno-

Mr G: "I still listen to it, and I go record shopping twice a week every week, I also listen to a couple of radio stations twice a week and I know exactly what's going on out there. I'm still looking for good music whether it's jazz, rock, blues, reggae, techno, … , wherever it comes from."

Skrufff: What do you make of the electro revival and tracks like Sunglasses At Night-

Mr G: "I must say I find it very sad because that's one of my favourite eras. I think just to loop INXS, Gary Numan or Duran Duran is sacrilege, their songs don't make any sense without the lyrics. Sunglasses At Night is great because it ecreates and adds a vocal in its own way."

Skrufff: Lots of techno producers seem to be jumping ship to electro, why-

Mr G: "It's because of the analogue equipment involved. You'll find most techno producers' starting point has been classic analogue equipment; old synths and this new sound is made on the same equipment. I suppose techno producers find it easier to create to play with that sound. Its big drums and big sounds are ideal for techno."

Skrufff: Is it true your Reaver record is going to be in the shops only for a strictly limited period-

Mr G: "There are 2,000 copies that will be available for 8 weeks or less, if it sells out before then. It's not for that money making machine, I'm happy if I make a living. All I need is a good life then I'm happy. You need to stop playing games with people and instead take chances. My attitude with the Reaver is that if people miss it, then that's too bad; maybe they can get the next one next year."

Skrufff: You did a remix of Roger Sanchez' Another Chance last year, are you ever tempted to put out a similarly commercial record-

Mr G: "Starting with that track I did that remix because I wanted to though I did think immediately that it would go top 10. But without mentioning any names, doing tracks that get £140,000 for taking a disco loop and sticking a filter on it is not my thing. At the end of the day I do what I do and I like what I do and I'd never compare myself to anybody that plays live inst
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