From humble beginnings in North Carolina to the big league, Dean Coleman has certainly hit his mark over recent years. With hard work, loads of talent and a little luck, Dean has found himself in the limelight, mixing it up in countries all over the world and producing music for the best labels. One of those labels, run by the infamous Deep Dish, snapped up a bootleg Dean had made of Narcotic Thrust's 'Safe From Harm¡' back in 2002 and has never looked back. Now on the eve of his first compilation for Yoshitoshi called House of Yoshi: The Collection, it is a fair comment to say that Dean has made it.

But what some people don't know is that Dean's keen sense for technology and the understanding of moving forward has further help cement his role in this somewhat unpredictable industry. Not only does he have strong ties with the companies that provide this technology, he offers his services to help improve future products and design.

Taking some time out of his busy schedule and right before his imminent departure for his summer touring, Dean was kind enough to answer some questions for RA.

"Sharam and I both agreed to make this mix live, without the help of a computer or mixing software. I wanted this CD to be a little something for everyone."

First off, how did you come to find yourself inline to mix this milestone compilation for Yoshitoshi?

RA Review - House of Yoshi : The Collection

I think it was a combination of things, the first being that both Ali and Sharam knew I wanted to do a compilation and I probably had already asked them several hundred times LOL! The second being that Yoshi had a time line on this release and they knew that I would get it done on that timeline. Ali had a gig in Atlanta and brought the masters down to me and the whole timing thing was perfect. This CD is a big honour for me and also I was really happy to get to publicly thank a lot of people who've helped me along the way. I'm blessed to have some really good friends.

How did you approach this compilation? Was it any different than doing a compilation that wasn't bound by releases from the Yoshitoshi, Shinichi and YO labels?

I approached this compilation with a different market in mind than the normal Yoshi compilations. I wanted bring new fans onboard that weren't experts on music or househeads. I also wanted to please the fans that had supported the label and made it what it was. Sharam and I both agreed to make this mix live, without the help of a computer or mixing software. I wanted this CD to be a little something for everyone. There's a lot of history on this CD so I wanted to stay true to that but also make it easy listening for people who weren't familiar with the label. I wanted the mix to be a ride that you could take over and over.

I understand that you put the compilation together using some of the great new products from Pioneer. Can you tell us what was used and how it came about?

I've been working with Pioneer since 1995 and I've always tested new products , given my input on things etc etc. I did the DVJX-1 ad for them last year and saw the mock-ups of the new DJM1000. When the compilation came around Nick Hahn and Karl Detken in the US were gracious to loan me the prototype piece to mix the CD on. Nick and Dolores from Yoshitoshi had the idea to do a cross promotion and drop it in there ads that I had used it so we decided to use the EFX1000 also. The DJM1000 sounds incredible and within the year I expect it to easily become an industry standard as the CDJ-1000 has.

With the Pioneer CDJ-200 supporting mp3s and a host of other hardware goodness available to DJs, what is your preferred format(s) for mixing and where do you see yourself in the future?

Pioneer CDJ200

The CDJ200 is a PHAT little piece for the money. It looks cool, it feels great to play on and with that headphone jack in the back it's great for the road. I am not big on playing Mp3's in clubs however because to me I want things to sound as good as possible. There are definitely places for mp3¡¥s however at smaller parties, etc. The CDJ200 for me is cool for portability of it and the efx on board. I WISH I could have had something like that when I started out . I am still 80 % CD (CDJ1000mk2 / DVJX1) and 20 % Vinyl. I still like to play records when I can but the new stuff you get is usually on CD. I'm always open to technology and I consider it a useful tool. I would like to see companies keep the sound quality of music in mind however by not reinventing the wheel but just make it roll a little quicker and easier. I LOVE playing regular cdr's on the Pioneer DVJX1, that thing simply sounds amazing!

I noticed your long standing relationships with companies that provide some of the best audio technology out there, including Pioneer, Naras and Roland. How did get involved with the technology and do you hold influence over there production?

I started my career with Pioneer as a DJ and ended up doing sound design and being a product specialist for Roland in 97. I learned production from Roland's best people, one in particular being Vince La Duca. I think he's probably one of the best midi people in the US. Roland was a major influence on me because their products can do things on the surface but also dig very deep. Roland taught me how to learn and I use that today even when I get non Roland gear. My two biggest pieces of equipment are the Roland MV8000 and Roland Vsynth. The way that those things sound help me to create my sound on my tracks but it also gives me the flexibility to make other types of music besides the stuff I'm known for. The Vsynth was instrumental on the Film Score and BMW ad I did last year. Living in Atlanta, I hooked up with some guys here that took me in under their wing and taught me the ins and out of big room studios. I was invited to join Naras (Grammy Awards People) a few years ago and then invited to run for Governer as an engineer this past year. I give my thoughts to Pioneer and Roland and they definitely listen. We were talking about DVJ technology back in 99, so I was really happy to see it come to fruition this year. Pioneer has a lot of input from Dj's around the world, I am just a very very small part of that. It's an honour for me to still be a part of both their families.

"The CDJ200 is a PHAT little piece for the money. It looks cool, it feels great to play on and with that headphone jack in the back it's great for the road."

With the release of this new compilation for Yoshitoshi, you'll have quite a busy summer touring and playing out new residencies. What's got you excited this year?

Release Yourself is like the beginning of my year so to speak. I always reset my internal self in Ibiza, not by the parties but just the time spent there with friends I usually don't see as often as I'd like. That island for me is very special. This is my fifth season on the Island with Roger and the first with Yoshitoshi. I'm thrilled to be doing both. So this is like the new year for me where everything starts fresh and I'm excited about it. It's also the first year I've ever been single in Ibiza ƒº Enough said on that! Touring with Deep Dish for their new Album 'George Is On' for me is a great honour also. Ali, Sharam and Arash from Bullitt have played a pivotal roll iin my career this last year and just to get to spend this time with them on the road is great. It's like travelling with your family.

What's some of your favourite cities to visit and play?

Ibiza, Madeira Portugal, Hammamatt, Tunisia, Sharm El Sheik Egypt, Taba , Egypt, San Jose , Costa Rica, Charleston , South Carolina *I'm going to buy a house there soon! , Las Vegas (Ice Memorial day was off the HOOK!), Andulus in Washington DC (My home away from home) , Atlanta is a great city to live in also, there's a small club there called Lava I was very partial too for a while! Great Vibe..

Lastly, what's next for Dean Coleman?

I have a project with HBO Films in the works as well as tons of new productions. I would really like to do a collaboration with some people that I've admired for years. I'm going to reach out to them this fall. I know Hernan and I would love to do another record together if we can find the time we will. I'm going to do a DVJX1 tour with Pioneer later this year and fully incorporate their technology into my show by 06. Who knows what else!! Anything is possible. I'm defiantly looking forward to buying a beach house!!!

Dean Coleman's June Chart
1. Coldplay - Fix You - Dean Colemanz Reinterpretation Dub (CDR)
2. Deep Dish - Say Hello - Chus and Ceballos Rmx (Positiva)
3. Skylark - The Lights (CDR)
4. Unknown - Be My Baseline (CDR)
5. Sharon Phillips - Want 2 Need 2 - Trentemoller Remix (CDR)
6. Dean Coleman feat. Melanie Denard - Remember - Trent Cantrelle Remix (SR2)
7. Roger Sanchez feat. Lisa Pure - Lost - Dean Coleman F*** Luv Dub (Stealth)
8. Pete Tong & Chris Cox - More Intensity - Bolt Remix (White)
9. You - Switch (CDR)
10. Timo Mass - First Day - Nic Fanciulli Buick Project Dub (Warners)