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 For
years Si Begg has pushed the
boundaries of electronic music
with his cyberized production.
His work spans the genres of
techno, electro, downtempo and
breaks, recording as Buckfunk
3000, Cabbage Boy, and Bigfoot.
His newest full-length album
project, SI Futures - "The
Mission Statement" on Novamute,
is a testament to why he is
considered a major innovator of
the UK nu skool sound.
The
album consists of a collection of
nu skool robotic funk that
reflects Begg's mentality. Each
track is a well-arranged voyage
layered with subterranean bass
and wicked electro stabs. Heavily
effected vocals and warm synths
push the housier "This is the
Way", the instruction manual for
hustle freaks "Freestyle Disco",
and "We are Not a Rock Band". A
collaboration with MCs the
Aspects is a ruff abstract
hip-hop cut, which had previously
been released as a nasty nu skool
breaks remix under the name
Buckfunk 3000. Yet, it's Begg's
electro breaks on the album that
show his true brilliance,
combining dark rolling waves of
bass that slip effortlessly
through deep funky soundscapes
and razor sharp transitions.
Be
on the lookout for his new
single, SI Futures - "Freestyle
Disco" with two remixes by
Buckfunk 3000 and SI Futures, as
well as what Begg describes as a
"crazy fuckin' remix" by
tech-house guru Hakan
Libdo.
Q:
What kind of software and/or gear
did you use in making this album?
 A:
Mac, Logic, and although I worked
with Cubase for years, when I was
working with T-Power a while back
he showed me all about Logic and
have since been using it
exclusively. I especially like
the ESX24 sampler and various
plug-in software and the new Nord
modular synth.
Q:
How did you like working with
T-Power? You both have versions
of "I Like That" on your albums
and both projects were funky nu
skool bombs. Any new
collaborations with him or anyone
else?
A:
We'd both like to work on some
future projects, but not right
now, both of us have been very
busy. I do really enjoy working
with T-Power as well as with
Tipper, and being able to share
tricks and ideas with the two.
[Si's next few projects will
be for Tipper's Fuel
imprint]
Q:
On "The Mission Statement", my
favorite track, "Ionic Funk"
didn't make the vinyl release. Is
there any reason why and might it
resurface on a 12"
single?
A:
We were only able to put eight
tracks on the vinyl so a few
tracks were cut, although I
didn't want it to happen. I
really enjoy that track too, but
the label felt it was a little
too abstract. Hopefully it will
come out on vinyl, but I'm not
sure. Maybe we'll fit it on
somewhere.
Q:
In the Buckfunk 3000 breaks mix
of "All Terrain Aspects", how did
you make that nasty deep bass?
A:
[laughs] I sampled some
bass with the S3000 sampler,
using square waves, internal
effects, some new distortion
software, and parametric
EQs.
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