Phil South, Mark Seven, Tiago – all resounding names in dance music and have all played and shook the foundations of Manchester through revered Manchester club night Cutloose. And again, another huge pioneering name in soulful disco funk music lands in the form of Sadar Bahar. Expect to hear… well, stuff you haven’t before, as it’s this man who has collected some of the rarest grooves around from the beginning of house music’s revolution. Never has the cliched term ‘Expect The Unexpected’ been so apt. We are privileged then to have been able to catch up with Sadar via an exchange of question type words. Check out a mix of Sadar’s below, full of disco funk. Big ups!
newsicmoos (nm): It’s a pleasure to feature you on newsicmoos! Firstly, how are you and what have you been up to in the past week?
Sadar Bahar (SB): I have been fine. Lately, I’ve been working with Lee Collins on the a project for BBE and also the Chicken Wing Edits 3.
nm: You are one of house music’s treasured DJ’s – how did your love affair with house music begin?
SB: I was surounded by DJs when I was young. One of the them took the time time to teach me to blend – that was Charles Breckenridge.
nm: You DJ’d when house music was beginning to gain global recognition. What was it like back then when DJ’ing? How is the scene different to now?
SB: Before it was ‘house’ music loved music, It was like a secret community of people that liked to dance and hear music. It was nothing like it is now. Back then the music that was called ‘house’ was different – we all played disco, funk, italian disco, etc. Artists that made new tracks later took the name ‘house’. I don’t really consider most of music today House music at all.
nm: Can you recall a significant memory that you’d like to share and let us delve in to music history when you DJ’d in the mid-80’s?
SB: Sitting around with all the neighborhood DJs waiting your turn to get on the turntables.
nm: What is it about the music you DJ that really makes you appreciate it? What is it within a record that makes you like it and ultimately play it out?
SB: When i hear something super funky i have to play it. The hotter it is the better.
nm: You’re renowned for scoping out some of the most underground classics that some people may not have even heard of. How do you go about finding these classics?
SB: Digging in record stores constantly and talking to collectors.
nm: What’s been the most exclusive record you’ve got your hands on and which track are you guaranteed to play out?
SB: LeCop – Move your Body, Africano – Open Your Heart
nm: Are there any DJ’s or producers you think we should know about?
SB: DJs: Lee Collins (of course), Trent, Richie Rich, Steve Mathis, Bullit, Brian Reaves, The Chuck Brothers, Mike Wilson, Mark Davis, Jeff White, Mark Gusane, Mike Cole, DJ Goldie, Darrin, Terry James and Producers: BSTC, Mr. Ali, Peven Everett, Gene Hunt.
nm: What’s in store for you in the coming months?
SB: A record release, new mix CDs and the tour in October. We also plan to be very busy in the studio.
nm: Manchester is very excited about seeing you live. What can we expect?
SB: A monster beatdown – bring a sweat towel – class will be in session.
nm: Any last words or shout outs?
SB: Shouts to: Theo Parrish, Garage Paradise, JAW, Spicy Pimps, Josh Milan, Frankie Valentine, Donna McGhee, LeDisque Records, Mark Gurney, Mark 7, Lady Bugs and Hunch Music
To everyone: “Keep vinyl alive and Keep our Soul in the Hole”
