Nightmares On Wax : Taking it Back to the Essence of N.O.W

Pioneers of the laid-back groove, Nightmares On Wax recently returned with their 5th album, 'In A Space Outta Sound'. Resuming the-less-is-more blueprint of their 1990s output, following the vocal-driven 'Mind Elevation' set, head-honcho George Evelyn continues to show his love for sweet soulful sounds.

It was second album, 'Smoker's Delight' which set out their stall, later becoming the benchmark for chill-out releases in the mid-to-late nineties. "I detached myself from it straight away, so I didn't have to worry about so called pigeon holes," George is quick to point out, keen to mention that the sleeve notes on this very album highlight the fact.

Nevertheless, with it notching up six-figure sales, said to be the result of word-of-mouth support, he can't deny its popularity. "It was a phenomenon. The thing about 'Smoker's...' is that me and my friends were enjoying it all through the whole five years of me making it... all the tracks have a memory or story connected to them. Now people all over the world have their own personal stories attached to it. It's a very beautiful thing really."

The Nightmares On Wax story started out in the early eighties, when George DJd hip-hop, which in turn led him into production. "I wanted to hear tracks in a particular way," he explains. This led to him and his then recording partner Kevin Harper release the Dextrous single on their own label in 1989. "We tried to get a record deal, but nobody was interested. I decided to borrow some money so we could put it out ourselves… we managed to shift 2000 copies in 2 weeks driving to record shops all over the country."

While pushing the record they met Steve Beckett, co-founder of Warp Records, the label on which Nightmares On Wax have remained throughout their 16 year history. "At that time he was thinking of setting up the label. He got back in touch, asking us if we'd like to remix Dextrous for release. We were their second signing after the Forgemasters."

'World of Science' was their first album in 1991, displaying both hip-hop and house influences. "We were inspired by so much from Marley Marl, Kevin Saunderson, Scientist, 45 King, Mr Fingers... to be honest there are too many to mention."

There was a five-year hiatus between 'World Of Science' and 'Smoker's Delight'. In fact, lengthy breaks in output have come to characterise the Nightmares' release schedule, largely a result of George's laidback approach to production and his refusal to be influenced by musical fads. Still, it was after this album that he left the confines of the studio and took the Nightmares On Wax experience out live, though it wasn't what he originally planned.

"I was asked if I was gonna perform it live and I said yes without thinking about the challenge. Then when we did do those shows it opened up my vision of where I could take things creatively. This inspired me to use the same musicians on 'Carbootsoul', and others, going forward."

The adoption of live instrumentation also encouraged him to seek out vocalists, as evidenced by the input of Leeds artists, Chyna B and LSK on follow-up, 'Mind Elevation.' "I think it's natural as a producer to want to work with vocals - if you look back, I've done so many instrumentals... I want to experiment as much as possible."

The use of musicians and vocalists seems to illustrate how the Nightmares On Wax sound has developed organically over the years. "There's never any big master plan when I start making an album, it's all about natural progression in the studio. My whole thing is based on vibe and vibe doesn't lie. If it feels right, then it's right! I truly believe that."

We'll get a chance to experience a live slice of this vibe later in the month when the Nightmares On Wax tour hits the Arches. "We're using the Iration Steppas Sound System with all the vocalists - Chyna B, Ricky Rankin, Mozez and Sara Garvey... taking it back to the essence of N.O.W." What more could you ask for?