‘Use Your Confusion’
Juggaknots interview
The Juggaknots are Breeze Brewin, Queen Herawin, Buddy Slim and DJ Boo. Their second album ‘Use Your Confusion’ got joyful reviews in Beatmag a while back and since then we’ve been trying to track them down to squeeze some further info out of their busy heads. It’s been quite a mission but we eventually made it, and they’ve even been kind enough to donate a free download (link below). Beatmag hip-hop heads – get your teeth into this;
What you been doing since ‘Use Your Confusion’?
Just working the album and keeping it moving along…
How did you feel about it when you finally finished recording what Beatmag regarded as a classic album?
We felt good about it, but always felt we could tweak a few things. But, deadlines always hold precedence…
However we just try to get all the elements in each song. Make sure the drums are right, cuts if any is proper, verses in the front, bass is in the right pocket, and also making sure all samples are cut to perfection and are in the right time.
What were your expectations of it?
We just happy people appreciate the music, it was definitely harder to finish than the previous
Harder how?
Harder because back then we didn’t have as much responsiblities, then. Now we all have children, plus we have mortage payments, and we didn’t have full-time jobs back then either. So taking all that into consideration, it was just a different time for us.
Do you all have jobs aside from being musicians?
Acting, Teaching, and being fathers and mothers. We are all certified New York City teachers, and we all teach in the same area of the Bronx where we grew up. As for acting, we are all looking for parts to audition for in plays, film, commercials, whatever while also collectively and individually working on our own screenplays. And we’ve got some movie ideas in the works
You still listen to hip hop yourselves?
No doubt, we live it – it’s in the DNA! I believe we all are going to be listening to this music till the end.
What other sorts of music you into?
All types, Rock, Jazz, Soul, and Reggae mostly
Some of your favourite albums?
Bob Marley “Rastaman Vibration”, Marvin Gaye “Here My Dear”, Curtis Mayfield “Superfly”, Jungle Bros “Straight Out The Jungle” and on and on and on
Is it an age/sentimental thing or was hip hop really so much better 15 years ago than it is now?
Both! but it doesn’t have to be. These times are tailor made for the communicative power of hip-hop. These times need some good hip-hop, from the kids for the subtle edutainment to the old fogeys like myself for a good laugh, to wild out a bit.
What would define a return to the ‘good old days’ for you or do you think we should accept that a ‘golden era’ will never return and just be happy that we were lucky enough to be around when it happened 1st time round?
I think all music is diluted now; rock ain’t Zepellin no more & jazz ain’t Weather Report. If anything we’ve advanced as a music in its sound and scale. Technology has totally changed how money is transferred, I think when we catch up with the tech, and maximize it, we’ll get back to productive times economically and musically.
Is it too soon to ask about new Juggaknots material?
Not at all, we have new Juggaknots material on the horizon; we are packaging it like a three-headed monster. The Brewin is working on his solo effort, Herawin is doing the same and Slim (Fever) is working on his compilation. So even though they are separate projects we are all rocking on each other’s joint, but having the personal freedom to do what we want individually.
Check out the title track from the album ‘Use Your Confusion’ here;
http://www.zshare.net/audio/12347639f36d2827/
http://www.myspace.com/juggsmusic
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rZlY71RGRMk
‘Use Your Confusion’ is still available on MATIC RECORDS/AMALGAM DIGITAL from the usual digital sources (or you can keep it real and buy a copy on vinyl from www.discogs.com!)
