INTERVIEW

Interview & pictures : Sergio Marigomez  Print        Reactions  (0)    Joseph Banner, better known as Spanner Banner, had his hour of international glory with the release of his album on Island. Reggaefrance.com met him for you in London... Reggaefrance / You've been making music for a long time. How did you start out in reggae? Spanner Banner / Well... I started by singing for sound systems in my community in St Ann.... People encouraged me to carry on and that gave me the vibes; it became professional in 1989, with the release of the song "Life goes on" on the Techniques label... that was the start of my career and it was my first hit... How did your collaboration with Winston Riley of Techniques go? You know... to be frank, I have to say the vibe was good, but with the hindsight I have now I'm a bit disappointed. Because... I think we could have spent more time on the album, worked the riddims a bit more... I was young and I could have done with better guidance... That album still gave me a certain amount of experience, though... Afterwards, I carried on with other conscious work, including the song "Live & Learn". I remember spending 5,000 dollars on a video for that tune, and that clip was hot!! It was the best video of the year, because I put my creativity, my vibes into it!! Speaking of vibes, talent seems to run in your family, because you have a brother called Pliers (of Chaka Demus & Pliers). Is music a family thing? Yeah!! You know, I have 4 brothers in music... Richie Spice, who's signed to Heartbeat, a deejay called Snatcher... We've never collaborated together, but I've done tunes with Chaka Demus and Pliers… Tell us about your album on Island… It was a good album... But if I'm to speak frankly, I like the truth because only the truth sets us free... With Island, there was too much politics behind it, we could have done better but they weren't really interested. They signed too many artists at that time... They promoted it badly, I was a young unknown artist and there wasn't even a tour! Disappointed by the majors, then? I think it's important to work with the majors because they hold all the cards, provided they let you work and don't steer you too much... Record companies send you from one place to another, they test your loyalty, not your talent!! I'm a creative person and I need to work... Your favourite producers? They all have their vibes... I particularly appreciate Sly & Robbie and Fattis Burrell (Xterminator)… Your next album… It will come out on my label "Sweet Angel"; three tracks are produced by the Wu-Tang Clan with a more hip-hop and R'n'B sound... I like experimenting with sound, but reggae remains my favourite sound… Can we hope to see you back on stage in Europe soon? I have deals in the works to tour Europe... I hope to come to France soon... Anything else to add? Yes! If there are people interested in the new album, you can reach me on the following number: 876 939 3385... because... Life goes on, life goes on and every day another baby is born... Prosperity!!  Print       Reactions (0)

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