Emmerald: What inspired you to rework Mau Mau as Uam Uam, and why do
you think your re-work was so successful?
Povo: The tune is just incredible! It blends down the sound of jazz
and Afro-Cuban concepts. It was the first track we made. After some
research, we found out that the track Mau Mau first was released as
Uam Uam. For some reason Art Farmer changed the name.
Emmerald: What's in you record collection? What were some of you
early DJing experiences?
Povo: As a DJ, I play jazz, afro, soul, funk reggae and new stuff
that sounds old, and good music no matter what the genre. When you
hear my music, it all stems from the jazz and blues tradition— music
that I think is hugely relevant in the 2000s. My record collection is
big, really good and rare. I live in an old house in Copenhagen where
I have a studio and a record room where I keep my records.
I've been working as a DJ, producer and club organizer on the
freestyle scene for many years. Back in the late 80s, I had a club
called "Professor Bop" and a club called "Stereo Bar." On the side, I
have been DJing around the world. At the moment, I am working on a
book about rare Danish 60s and 70s jazz records.
Emmerald: Where is your favourite place to find record collectibles?
Povo: In Denmark it is still easy to find good stuff, because back in
the 60s and 70s, we were getting containers full of great American
'cut-outs'. You can still find these records in the second-hand shops
in Denmark for a fair price.
Emmerald: What is the nu-jazz scene like in Denmark these days?
Povo: The scene in Denmark is not so good. It seems that we find
most of our listeners and fans in Japan and Italy and places like
that. There is no real scene or club in Denmark for that type of
music at the moment.
Emmerald: Moonstarr out of Canada remixed Uam Uam and many DJs have
given the remix high acclaim. What do you think about combining
Povo's jazz style with more club music styles?
Povo: I think it is great that other musicians/DJs are getting into
the sound and music of Povo. There are remixes like the one Moonstarr
did of Uam Uam that will make the jazz sounds reach other people from
different scenes who don't like or don't listen to jazz.
Emmerald: What do you think are some of the best Scandinavian jazz
albums to hunt for?
Povo: Here are five great Danish 60s jazz records that gave us
inspiration to make the album We are Povo. Happy hunting! Sahib
Shihab-Sahib's Jazz Party (Debut), Jazz Quintet 60-S/T ( Metronome),
Brew Moore-Svinget 14 (Debut), Joern Elniff-Music for Mice and Men
(Debut), Sahib Shihab and The Radio Jazz Group-S/T (Oktav)
Emmerald: Sahib Shihab clearly had a strong influence on Povo.
Povo: Yes, Sahib came to Copenhagen with Quincy Jones when he was
touring with Jones' big band. He fell in love with the jazz scene in
and around "Jazz Café Montmartre" and decided to make Copenhagen his
home. He was soon very active writing scores for television, cinema
and the theatre and secured work at Copenhagen Polytechnic and as a
bartender at Jazz Café Montmartre. You can hear the influence of
Sahib Shihab on so many of the Danish 60s and 70s jazz records. His
sound gave us the inspiration and influence to make the We are Povo
album.
Emmerald: What should we expect from Povo in the near future?
Povo: A brand new 12" with jazz for the dancefloor is in the
pipeline. Two new tracks called Hi-Fly and The Art of Blakey are
coming out on Raw Fusion before summer 2005
