13. ProphetRight On Time
Prophet is finally getting public recognition beyond the cult following off the back of Right On Time.. but how did you come to listen to him?
It’s a long story. So it was a crate digger friend who had found the album back in 2006-2007, and my friends and I became obsessed with it. I listened to the record constantly when I first started recording as Nite Jewel. It was to me a perfect bedroom funk record. Another fan of Prophet, my friend Tom Noble, asked me if I would be willing to do a cover of the track ‘Tonight’ sometime after my discovery of the LP, for a 7" release on his record label, probably in 2010. A bit after this, the record started to circulate more and Andrew from the label Beat Electric ended up going on a quest to find Prophet and finally reissued Right On Time. The obsession with Prophet makes complete sense to me; his melodies, his rhythm, and all the ear candy hooks plus the intricate funky instrumentation… irresistible! Much later, Stones Throw ended up signing Prophet for a new record and he and I ended up going in the studio and working on some songs. None of those we ended up finishing, but he and I did end up performing ‘Tonight’ together, opening up for Snoop Dogg and Dam-Funk at Exchange, in Los Angeles. Wild.
This is a perfect dancing album. Funky, quite sensual… what are the components for a great dance record? Is this it?
I’m going to have to say yes. The intricate syncopation of every element of every track plus the hooks. What more do you need?
Have you ever heard someone play any tracks from this in the club? I think if I heard ‘Strong and Mighty’ I would get very strong ‘main character syndrome’ and think I was the only dancer in the room!
I’ve definitely spun the Beat Electric reissue before, but it’s often too weird for people. Clearing the dance floor is usually a sign of a great record though.
