I have to admit, I had not heard the name Chris Gray until my buddy Theory told me about his newest piece "Fish & Luvconfushun" on Fragmented Records at the end of last year, so I picked it up and fell immediately in love with it. From there on, everything was easy. I contacted him if he would be interested in an interview for the UF site, and he agreed to share some information and opinions with me.

But before I'll tell you about this interview, I want to write some words which will hopefully introduce him to you, like Theory introduced him to me. Chris heard the first time about house when his cousin sent him a dub tape from Chicago's WKKC 89.3FM (Kennedy-King College) back in 1987. From there on, his love for house was born, and he began collecting house mix tapes from all over the world. Inspired by these tapes, he created the so-called Deephouse Projekt to better understand the roots and history of house music.

In 1992, Chris moved from Mississippi to Chicago after receiving his B. A. in Communication from Mississippi State University. Since this memorable move, Chris is probably Chicago's best hidden house secret, who works in his studio on his musical vision of soulful, deep and ambient house music. Recently, Chris founded his own record label called Deep4Life Records.

Chris has released several tracks and remixes since 1995, some of them on influential labels like Freetown/Subwoofer, DC 10 or Fragmented/Kickin', and I'm still wondering why I haven't heard from him until I picked up his beautiful "Fish & Luvconfushun" on Fragmented Records. This album, to be precise, hit me right away, and since then I am desperately trying to find earlier stuff from him. Without success yet, but if you dig deep house, I promise that you will do the same. Chris music is hard to describe, a unique blend of deepest, soulful, vibish and sometimes trancey house sounds, which can be best compared to the music of Larry Heard aka Mr. Fingers, one of Chris' musical heroes. But he also experiments with other sounds, some of them almost techno-ish, others more sound sculptures than real house tracks. However, all of his tracks share a certain sentimentality and mellowness, which always remind me of tiny waves floating on a calm lake during a beautiful sunny day. I could watch such waves forever, and the same is true for Chris' music.

Find out more about Chris Gray on his personal Web site, including a complete discography of his music: http://homepage.interaccess.com/~mindmssg.

DJ MG
February 1999

The following interview was conducted by DJ MG on 01/25/99:

Where are you born?

I was born in Greenwood, Mississippi. It's located in the deep southern part of the US.

When and how did you really start making your own music? Have you been DJing before this?

I began working on house music in the late 80s. I would come up with ideas on my cheap toy keyboards back in Mississippi after first hearing house around 1986. I didn't professionally record until about 1994. Before house, I was actually scoring some jazz pieces.

You are talking about the controversial history of house music in your biography. What do you mean by that? Can you explain it more deeply?

There are many different perceptions of how "house music" came into existence. Like most other music forms, house was influenced by other types of music, most notably disco and gospel. Even though there were releases that had a similar sound prior to, the term 'house music' wasn't coined until the days of the 'Warehouse Club' here in Chicago.

You also have certain individuals who self-proclaim themselves as the King of House, Godfather of House, etc., but actually it was a fragmented group effort. Several fronts emerged at once. Although Jesse Saunders was credited with pressing the first house record, there were many works floating around on tape. The important issue is that we were/are all lucky to witness the birth of a somewhat new music form. I'd like to consider myself a preservationist in this movement. I may not necessarily be an innovator, but a serious appreciator.

You did plenty of remix work in the past. What was the most memorable one for you, and which one is the remix you're most proud of?

Well, I recently finished remixing a track by Larry Heard for Distance Records in London. Although it was a tough task, I submitted two remixes of Larry's "Give Me Heaven" on Dance 2000 Pt.2. That should be out soon with Anthony Nicholson's remix on the flip. I was a bit intimidated doing a remix job for someone who has provided me with a lot of inspiration. All I can say is, I did my best.

Your last LP, "Fish & Luvconfushun" is in my honest opinion simply awesome, a unique blend of deep, sentimental and soulful house vibes, very much in the realm of Larry's music. Why was it, together with so many other material from you, released on Fragmented Records or several other labels from the UK?

If I understand the question correctly, you're asking why was the material released on those labels in particular? If so, I do my best to find the right home for the music, like any concerned mother caring for her children. You won't find a flood of my releases on the market because of that concern. Now it's time for me to release some of my own music and that process will begin with my next album "Emotional Distortion."

Who are Fish & Luvconfushun? And/Or what does it mean?

Fish & Luvconfushun are nicknames for two friends of mine. At the time that I was writing the album, we were all experiencing hardships together. So I thought it appropriate to name the album after them.

Are you sometimes frustrated about the missing respect for house music or your music?

Yes, sometimes. I feel that most of America isn't capable of recognizing their Monets and Beethovens sitting right under their noses. But I don't let that inability frustrate me, because other great music forms like jazz and hip hop were overlooked before their mainstream recognition. I'm quite happy with those who are willing to open their minds to this music, and I don't care to force anyone to partake in it. To each his/her own.

What do you think about the Chicago house scene?

Well, I don't think I can really comment on that because I have not been going out to clubs lately. I think that progression/regression of a music scene is somewhat relative however. You have the classic scenario happening here that's happening all over the world. There will always be someone complaining about and longing for the 'good ole days' and in reverse those who think that the good times are happening right now. I try to look at things positively and say that these are the good ole days and that we shouldn't waste valuable time living in our pasts.

You started your new label recently, Deep4Life Recordings. What can we expect from D4L, and do you have a philosophy, and/or any people signed yet?

Deep4Life is primarily an unpolluted outlet to release my own music. I have ideas about what else I can do with it, but that's primarily the goal. I have people who want to release with me, but if that happens, it will be later. The label is called deep4life, because that's how I think I was created. I didn't wake up one day, turn to the latest charts in a music magazine to realize that deep music was in fashion. When the trend is over, I'll still be here, pouring my emotions out through my music.

Your new album will be the first release on your own label. What will it bring us, and when can we expect it?

The new album 'Emotional Distortion' will take yet another walk down luv's distorted lane. These songs were inspired by my own conflicting emotions and moods. I hope that someone will be able to relate to what I'm feeling. The CD should be available this spring.

Who are your heroes in (house) music, and who inspired you in the past and present?

There are so many people who have provided inspiration. So many that I could spend all day naming them. They range from the new kid starting out to a veteran like Larry Heard. I think that the whole genre of house music is a hero to me. Just like the struggles the music faces, I too, fight oppression and rejection from mainstream society. The root of house music is pure and uncensored. It commands humility, love and truth. Three things that I highly cherish.

How important was/is the internet for you?

The internet has been an important agent in transforming a sheltered Blak kid growing up in the racist and isolated Southern part of the United States into one who is willing to consider many new things and possibilities. I have met so many real life colleagues through the internet. I started using the net back in 1989, before the birth of the worldwide web. It was then a tight-knit, intimate community of nerds and those interested in communicating with new people globally. Before 1991, it was not a common thing to communicate globally with others via e-mail, but now most people don't give it a second thought, as a result of technological advances.

What's spinning on your turntables/CD-Player right now?

Honestly, because I'm finishing the CD as we speak, the album. I've probably listened to it over 100 times. I do my best to put together a concept, instead of just a slate of slammin' tracks. However, I'll be happy to get back to listening to other things once this has been completed.

Thank you, Chris, for this interview!

You're welcome.