Digging Deeper with Ralf GUM

German producer Ralf GUM has been a key player on the South African House scene since he moved to the motherland a number of years ago.

He’s released 3 albums to date – his 2008 debut “Uniting Music”; his gold selling classic “Never Leaves You” which included the official South African chart #1 single “Take Me To My Love”; and “In My City” selected dance album of the year by iTunes in 2014. Now as he gets set to release his brilliant 4th full artist album ‘Progressions’, packed with soulful, afro and earthy goodness, 6am dig deeper to find out more about Ralf’s unique musical story..

Hi Ralf, it’s a pleasure to chat with you today, how is 2019 treating you so far?

Thank you very much for having me! After festive, which is the busiest period of the year for artists in South Africa, there’s usually a bit of downtime in January, however this year there’s been no rest. Mainly due to the upcoming album and everything involved around it of course. My plan was to be done earlier in 2018, but I literally just finished before Christmas. I don’t mind at all and would say 2019 has been great so far. The success of the current single “Uyakhala” feat. Mafikizolo motivates me for all that’s coming.

What goals have you set yourself for this year and what do you hope to achieve?

The first half of 2019 is fully dedicated to the “Progressions” album release with an extensive album launch tour kicking of in March in South Africa, then with an international leg at the end of April and May. I aim to repeat the success of the previous albums, visit cities and countries on the tour where I did not perform yet. In the second half of 2019 I want to perform my catalogue for the first time live and at the same time start searching for the sound of the next album, which might be ready in 2023 or so, if I keep at my pace.

Who or what first turned you on to DJing and producing and what was your first release?

An older friend who was a DJ used to bring his mixtapes and it fascinated me how he blended the music. I started saving up for own equipment and started bedroom DJ-ing, the usual within a lot of teenagers of my generation. Another friend who saw how passionate I was, invited me finally to his studio and I was fully hooked. That must have been around 1991. We then had a first release together in 1993 on the US label New Generation Records as a trio, Uwe who owned the studio and Axel with whom I was DJ-ing at that time as GUM Team.

How would you describe your sound?

My sound is definitely an organic one, with the use of many live instruments. If you want to box it, you can call it “Soulful House Music”, in tradition of the US Sound, but I always tried to progress while staying true to those original influences. The aim is to create something fresh, rather than copying the existing formulas of the genre, or even the own ones.

You’re about to release your 4th artist album ‘Progressions’ how does it sound and are you happy with the results?

As usual, I took my time to complete the album and only did let go once it really felt complete. It sounds different from its predecessors to me. When I started working on it, it had a quite minimal approach, but during the working process my roots kicked in and we added more and more layers of music in several songs. The result sounds great to me, while probably keeping a signature sound.

What’s your favourite track from the album and why?

That’s like asking which one of your children is your favourite and impossible to answer. I would actually pick different ones for different reasons. Highly interesting as always, is the track with Monique Bingham, I love the deepness of Mafikizolo track, think the string arrangement of Paul Randolph’s track is quite dope, but actually I love all 10 songs and they complete the album together.

You’ve got a massive array of talent featured on the album, including Monique Bingham, Kafele, Bongi Mvuyana, Tony Momrelle, Ayanda Jiya and Portia Monique and Mafikizolo. How did you go about selecting the artists to work with and are you happy with what they brought to the table?

When selecting people to work with a lot of different aspects count. From song-writing, which always was most important to me, the timbre, the intonation, the vibe. For this album I tried to take more influence on the lyrical content, at least where ever possible. Either by co-writing in the recording sessions or, where the vocals were recorded remotely, at least indirectly by speaking more with my collaborators prior their writing. What every one involved brought to the table pleases me a lot and magically most topics are a reflection of emotions I was living thru the last 4 years, too.

How does ‘Progressions’ compare to your previous albums and how has your sound progressed since your first album ‘Uniting Music’ back in 2008?

For me it is an album of change. I had to move my studio 4 times during the production process, changed some of my work-routines along the way, recorded much more in my own spaces. Sonically the album went thru different stages along the way. And I ended up in a studio which really sounds excellent and taught me how much value a good room has. That’s why “Progressions” seemed the right title at the end. Additionally I challenged myself to not use any of the drum-sounds or samples I previously used, which few intentional exceptions. The aim was to still sound very soulful, however to bring a new twist to it. In comparison to “Uniting Music” I would say that the production standard is some levels higher and therefore “Progressions” hopefully as well reflects growth.

You’ve been running your GOGO Music label for massive 18 years, congrats! What’s the secret of your success and what have you got coming up in the near future?

The secret is probably that there never was an intentional secret. Out of commercial aspects running a label like GOGO Music often does not make sense, however the feedback received on the music is reward enough. The first priority always has been the quality of the song and not necessarily if we recoup the investment to the last penny. This luckily led to a faithful fan-base which enables us to continue. Planned for this year is as well new music by Joseph Junior, MAQman and Sir LSG, who all are family to the label.

Your own discography is pretty huge, have you got a favourite release or remix and which was the biggest labour of love to create?

I am extremely proud that I was able to work with Jazz legend Hugh Masekela (RIP) shortly after my relocation to South Africa. I definitely love the “In The City” song with him, which is probably one of his last socio political messages to the world. The “Above The Sky” remix for Andy Compton feat. Kafele is a firm favourite too and was the beginning of many more collaborations with him. Every song with Monique Bingham is close to my heart and all of them took their time to complete. We’ve been working on “Take Me To My Love” back and forth for more than 2 years until we had a final version.

You’ve been based in South Africa for a number of years and you’re somewhat of a superstar down there, what inspired the move there and how does the scene compare to that of your European roots?

I was invited to the motherland for the first time in 2008 and got bookings on a regular basis thereafter. Initially I was probably simply blown away by the love and knowledge for and about House Music. But I quickly fell in love with country, nature, weather and people which promoted the decision to relocate there in 2012. I still love the raw energy a lot of the gigs have here. While in Europe there’s a lot of focus on the venues, the lightning and other effects, in SA often a good sound-system is enough to have an amazing night.

You were one of the first to release music from Black Coffee, tell us a little about your relationship with him?

Nathi played after me on my first ever South Africa gig in 2008. He was working a lot with DJ Christos (Katsaitis) at that time, who was the one booking me. He dropped his single “Turn Me On” featuring Bucie that night. We soon decided to put it and more of his catalogue out on GOGO. Nowadays he travels so much, that we hardly see each other. When we do meet it is always great to reunite.

Who else should we be looking out for on the current South African scene?

There’s so much talent coming out of a scene which steadily redefines itself, that there would be many to mention, but amongst those who are constantly providing quality since a while now are Chymamusique, Sculptured Music, Sir LSG, Ayanda Jiya, as well with her R&B stuff.

You’ve seen the music industry change a lot over the years since you first started out, how does it compare to now and what needs to change for the better in your opinion?

The word industry already says that it is about money. And money and art don’t go well together, even they need each other. And there’s actually no big change, just the big players in the music industry changed. I am lucky that I am able to take the freedom to not care about financial aspects concerning the productions in a hindering way, as I am able to survive with my DJ gigs. I simply focus on the music and where it takes me. Now, that the album is done, I put on the business-man-hat for a few month hoping that the music does well and actually like that change always a lot, as it breaks my routines.

What’s been your most memorable gig to date and where would you most love to play in the future?

There have been so many during the years. That’s what keeps the fire burning. I still remember my first night at the “Airport” in my hometown Würzburg at the age of 19. I wanted to play in the main room so hard and when it happened I must have been the happiest and most nervous boy on the world same time. Later the Airport became my residency for a full decade. Another milestone surely has been playing the powerhouse at Southport Weekender, just as it was mind blowing to be in Taung for the first time. Taung is a small village in the North West of South Africa were now annually more than 20000 music lovers get down to deep sounds. And I can’t tell a specific place where I would love to play, actually every place with a good crowd and sound.

Finally, which dance track holds the most precious memories for you?

For me it is a dance track and it must be Chaka Khan’s “I Know You, I Live You”. My wife and I chose it to be the song played when walking out of church as a newly married couple at our wedding.

‘Progressions’ will be released on March 1st 2019 on GOGO Music and can be pre-ordered here