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"I
remember reading some magazine that said that everybody wants to
be a guitar hero and no one wants to be an engineer or producer.
Growing up in
a small town in central Louisiana in the late '70s, there wasn't
a lot for a young kid to do besides the usual distractions of TV,
video games Since those early years, Michael Donaldson, better known as Q-Burns Abstract Message, has grown to become one of America's top DJs. While touring regularly across the country and throughout the world with the likes of Fatboy Slim, Josh Wink, Chemical Brothers, Gus Gus and Lo Fidelity All-Stars, he has also released a slew of 12"s, a compilation album of singles, Oeuvre, and his debut album, Feng Shui. Yet, Donaldson still sees himself as a producer rather than a DJ or "recording artist." His skills in this area have already made him a highly sought-after remixer, having produced remixes for artists as diverse as The Supreme Beings Of Leisure, Faith No More, Rabbit In The Moon and even Britney Spears. More recently, Q-Burns Abstract Message was chosen among a short list of top producers, which included Sade collaborator Andrew Hale, Morcheeba, and Yellow Magic Orchestra member Sohichiro Suzuki to produce several tracks for the new Jim White album, No Such Place (Luaka Bop). Even David Byrne has stated that he believes the Q-Burns Abstract Message produced tracks are among the best on the album. Jim White also complimented Donaldson's production work in Billboard: "He's real smart and knows what he wants to do and how to do it." With his new album Invisible Airline, Donaldson has most fully realized his life vision as a producer by delivering an album that reflects the experience of his many years as DJ, musician, remixer and, of course, producer. The album's title is a metaphor for the mind trip it takes you on, exploring places and glimpsing into people's lives; people that don't actually exist. A trip minus the turbulence and plastic-wrapped, single-serving food of a real airline. Invisible Airline
showcases a new direction from Donaldson's previous work and features
the vocal talents of Lisa Shaw, one of America's top house vocalists
(and a favorite of Madonna). Instead of a pure electronic dance
record, Donaldson has taken a classic producer approach by assembling
a band to realize his music, blending the organic with "There
are so many moods to capture, so many sounds to hear," says
Donaldson, "with the technology and tons of resources at our
disposal, the only limitation right now is unfortunately time..."
With Invisible Airline we've been given a whirlwind tour of these
possibilities. |
and
dreaming of becoming a sports hero or rock n roll star. That was
until one day when 10-year-old Michael Donaldson was given a copy
of The Beach Boys Pet Sounds album by his mother. No doubt it was
the incessant playing of this album on his old turntable that planted
the seeds of a producer in young Michael. Within four years, Michael
was already mastering a four-track recorder, while other kids were
blowing their allowances on their first electric guitar lessons.
the
electronic so that the listener cannot tell what is what. With a
nod to New Order and other bands that mixed guitars with synthesizers,
Q-BurnsAbstract Message has created a sound that acknowledges its
origins in the electronic/dance community while remaining fully
accessible to a more pure pop audience. The almost folk-like songwriting
compliments the direction and feel of the album's electronic, yet
organic-sounding soul. Even Lisa Shaw's contributions are given
the Q-Burns Abstract Message touch so that her approach, style and
phrasings are different for each of the tracks.
