To mark the 25th anniversary of Tim Love Lee’s debut album ‘Confessions Of A Selector’, Tummy Touch has re-issued ‘Disco Inserts Volume One’ – originally released as a white label in early 1995 on Peace Feast Records.
Photo Credit: Anja Schutz
This collection of DJ tools, breakbeats, and re-edits laid the groundwork for ‘Confessions Of A Selector’. Apparently, it was the cost of new blank floppy disks that forced Tim to re-use so many of these samples.
In addition to ‘Disco Inserts Volume One’, Lee is also dropping a new compilation of B-sides and bonus tracks from back in the day called ‘Confessions Of The 36th Best trip hop Producer Of All Time’, with a playful cheeky name that reflects FACT Magazine’s rating of the original ‘Confessions’.
EG caught up with Tim Love Lee to learn more about the drop of ‘Confessions Of The 36th Best trip hop Producer Of All Time’, the impact of ‘Confessions Of A Selector’, and more.
EG: Hi Tim! Welcome to EG. It’s a pleasure to have you here with us. How have you been? Where are you based right now?
Tim Love Lee: Thanks for the invite. I’ve been living in the country, about 100 miles north of New York for the last 3 years after being based in London and Brooklyn for the longest time. I love it!
EG: Sounds lovely. So, first of all, congratulations on the release of your ‘Confessions Of The 36th Best trip hop Producer Of All Time’ compilation! What has the initial reception been like?
Tim Love Lee: I had some really great comments from old friends who are still out there working as DJs – that felt good.
EG: And what is the inspiration for ‘Confessions Of The 36th Best trip hop Producer Of All Time’? Is there a concept or thread running behind this one?
Tim Love Lee: The title is kind of tongue in cheek, but, according to Fact Magazine, my debut album ‘Confessions Of A Selector’ is the 36th best trip hop album of all time. Does that make me the 36th best Trip Hop producer of all time? I’d say so.
EG: And what can your fans expect to find here, musically?
Tim Love Lee: Astute listeners will spot that all of these tunes have been released before on vinyl, but are seeing the digital light of day for the first time. It’s a nice introduction to the more sampladelic loungecore end of the trip-hop spectrum.
“[On ‘Confessions Of A Selector’] I’m proud of it for sure. I mean, it’s no work of art, but it really does capture a moment in sample-based DJ music”
EG: In addition to ‘Confessions Of The 36th Best Trip Hop Producer Of All Time’, you’re also re-issuing ‘Disco Inserts Volume One’. What role did ‘Disco Inserts Volume One’ play in the creation of the seminal ‘Confessions Of A Selector’?
Tim Love Lee: Back in the day money was tight, and I could barely ever afford new blank floppy discs for my sampler – I was forced to reuse the same samples several times. This album was the first outing of a lot of the samples that ended up on my debut album, and several other tracks over the next ten years!
EG: Speaking of ‘Confessions Of A Selector’…it’s been 25 years since its original release! How do you feel about it 25 years down the road? Did you ever expect it to have the impact it did?
Tim Love Lee: I’m proud of it for sure. I mean, it’s no work of art, but it really does capture a moment in sample-based DJ music. I certainly never expected to make any “best 50 albums of all time” list!
EG: What would you say is the “role” of Trip Hop in the current musical landscape?
Tim Love Lee: To me lo-fi IS trip-hop, I can barely tell the difference.
EG: What do you think the future of trip hop looks like?
Tim Love Lee: Wobbly
“I’m still spinning records here and there around New York, and looking to start up a new radio show. I was on East Village Radio for over ten years and really miss that”
EG: How do you keep entertained when not in the studio? Have you checked out any good movies, series, books, or albums you’d recommend?
Tim Love Lee: I really loved ‘White Lotus’ on HBO! Pretty much can’t stand any other TV though. I keep myself busy being a third-rate amateur house builder when I’m not losing myself at the face of my modular synth.
EG: What’s next for Tim Love Lee? What particular milestones are you looking forwards to now? Where can your fans catch you next?
Tim Love Lee: I’m still spinning records here and there around New York, and looking to start up a new radio show. I was on East Village Radio for over ten years and really miss that. New material coming this year for sure, but this time way heavier on the analog synths.
EG: Thank you so much for your time, Tim! We wish you all the best for the future.
Tim Love Lee: You’re too kind.
Tim Love Lee’s ‘Confessions Of The 36th Best trip hop Producer Of All Time’ is out now. Purchase your copy here.
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