DJ Ron Slomowicz: How did you get started as a singer?
Ceevox: I've been singing since my childhood, as far back as I can remember.
RS: What was your first performance in front of a crowd?
Ceevox: My first public performance was at a local bar here on South Beach and after the response I was inspired to pursue my singing career.
RS: How did you pursue your career?
Ceevox: An opportunity came my way when a DJ I worked with at a record store heard me singing at work and approached me about recording vocals with E-N.
RS: So, he hooked you up with the producer?
Ceevox: Yes and we recorded "That Sound"
RS: What was the club response to that record?
Ceevox: The response at the clubs was great. I was present at Liquid back in its heyday when it was played on Sunday nights. I was really shocked when the record reached number 5 on the Dance Club Play Billboard Chart
RS: That is incredible - did you start doing live dates with that single?
Ceevox: I perfomed that single at the Bash nightclub compilation CD release party but didn't really start doing live dates until "My Imagination" was released. At that time I was more interested in recording vocals than performing.
RS: Imagination was with Peter Rauhofer - didn't you work with George Acosta between E-N and Rauhofer?
Ceevox: Yes.
RS: How did you meet George Acosta?
Ceevox: I met him thru SFP Records when he remixed "That Sound."
RS: What songs did you record with him?
Ceevox: "Luv 2 Luv," which was never released, and "Reach," which was out on a Max Music compilation.
RS: You've done a few covers also - what inspired you to rework Yaz's "Situation?"
Ceevox: Mike Mucci contacted me and asked me if I was interested in redoing that song. At first I was a little skeptical because it was such a classic and I didn't think I'd do it justice, but it turned out great with Mike coaching and producing. I gave it my own style of vocalization and it worked.
RS: Alison Moyet has a really distinctive voice, as do you. Like her you have a really full voice with a lot of warmth, I am sure that contributed to the good results
Ceevox: Well I agree with you about Alison, that is one of the reasons I was skeptical I didn't think I would measure up.
RS: Time has proven you more than did. Speaking about covers, what was the inspiration to cover Gladys Knight's "Just My Imagination?"
Ceevox: Well I was in the offices of Harlequin and Rafael, one half of Harlequin, thought I would be able to take on that classic and with my flavor turn it into a dance anthem. He was the motivation behind that project once I had heard it.
RS: Instead of doing a straight cover, you sang some of the hooks and worked it from there. When you were singing it, did you try to channel Miss Knight?
Ceevox: I made it my own and with Jrny's programming and Mitch Amtrack's vocal arrangement, Peter gave it the midas touch and it became a hit.
RS: How did the song make it from Harlequin in Miami to Peter in New York?
Ceevox: I cut the vocals for Harlequin, but I really don't know how that deal happened. I'm glad it did though.
RS: With My Imagination, you mentioned earlier that you started touring. What was it like singing to big crowds versus singing in the studio?
Ceevox: My first performance was at the Roxy and that was what re-assured me that this is what I wanted to do. The studio is more laid back. It is still work, yet you don't have the energy and the response you get when you sing it live. I enjoy doing both immensely.
RS: At the Roxy, did the crowd know the song already and singalong or was it new to them? How did the crowd react?
Ceevox: Peter had been playing "Imagination" through the month of October, so when I performed in November they knew the song and I caught some folks singing along. They loved it and a lot of the patrons caught me on the floor and told me they thought a sister sang that song, amazed that I was Cuban and not African American.
RS: You recorded another song with E-N which wasn't a cover "Don't Leave Me This Way." How did this song come about?
Ceevox: E-N approached me about an idea he had. We did a lot of different vocal experiments that night and he picked out the parts that fit best made them work with his production then presented it to Peter. It was perfect timing because Peter was getting ready to work on a follow-up for "My Imagination."
