For more than a decade and a half now, Mikey Dean (aka Mr Manyana) and Murray Mackay (aka Coconut Delight) have been rolling out mind-boggling productions that stand high and mighty amongst all the hip hop curators of sampling. Like their monikers suggest, these two underground UK-based (Scotland to be specific) producers have a playful style all their own, from the beats they create to the album artwork they display. But when they collaborate with rappers far and wide, their style elevates to a whole new level. Slackline was able to catch up with JS on the heels of “Writer’s Delight”, a full release with the legendary Godfather Don. So, take a seat, relax, unwind and get to know the Jazz Spastiks.
Slackline Radio: Tell us a little about the evolution of the Jazz Spastiks. How did you two start recording together?
Jazz Spastiks: We’ve been friends since we were five years old! We used to play football all the time growing up. When we got a bit older we became more interested in music. We played in various bands over the years before finally forming Jazz Spastiks!
Slackline Radio:Â You have also released under the moniker, the Slipmat Brothers. What is the distinction in that sound from what you produce as the Spastiks?
Jazz Spastiks:The sound is the same, we were experimenting with using an alternative name but it ended up resulting in us not reaching as many listeners as people didn’t know it was us! We’re really proud of that album with PENPALS though, I think it’s some of our best work.
Slackline Radio:Â You two have chosen some really interesting vocalists to team up with over the years like Rebels to the Grain on Unkut Fresh or the recently released Writer’s Delight, with Godfather Don. Can you tell us a little about how these partnerships were created?
Jazz Spastiks:Rebels To The Grain were one of the first artists we worked with. They are amazing producers too and we originally saw them making beats with an MPC and rhyming years and years ago on YouTube. Godfather Don is obviously a legend and is a huge inspiration to us. He is an amazing beat maker as well as an incredible emcee. He is someone who we never thought we would get the chance to work with but we were lucky enough to be connected with him by Dave, the owner of the Diggers With Gratitude record label. The first project we made with him was an album of remixes which was really well received. The new album ‘Writer’s Delight’ is a full album of all new material intertwined with instrumental interludes.
Slackline Radio:Â Ok, a tough question. Lionel Richie or Barry Manilow?
Jazz Spastiks:Neither! Right now we’re listening to Azymuth and Adagio as we answer these questions.
Slackline Radio:Â In your personal lives, what might we not know about each of you away from your music?
Jazz Spastiks:I have a pet rabbit who lives in my house called Little Bear and Mikey has a cat named Tony. We both love computer games. When we were younger Mikey had a Sega Mega Drive and I had an Amiga.
Slackline Radio:Â Do you enjoy live sets as much as the creative process in the studio?
Jazz Spastiks:We prefer recording and making albums, live stuff is fun though and we definitely enjoy it but we don’t seek it out and only really play when someone gets in touch to ask us. It’s always good to get out and meet people though and always an honour to be invited.
Slackline Radio:Â Where might we see you behind the decks soon?
Jazz Spastiks:We don’t have any live shows booked at the moment, we are busy with quite a few different albums. Sometimes we will stream live on Twitch so keep an eye on our Instagram for that.
Slackline Radio:Â What projects do you have planned in the near future?
Jazz Spastiks:Most of it is top secret but we are currently working on full length projects with some of the vocalists we have previously collaborated with. Also a follow up to our Scratch & Sniff album, stay tuned for more on that!
Slackline Radio: We always like to know, what will you be eating and drinking tonight?!
Jazz Spastiks:We are working together today doing some mixes and are having homemade slow cooked steak pie with puff pastry.
We both like a Guinness!
