Ricardo Miranda: A 5 Mag Mix vol 43

Ask me to name my favorite producer and I’m not sure I can answer. Ask me to name 5 and I will come to Ricardo Miranda. The Chicago native is the man behind Noble Square Records – a label so good I’m ashamed to even ask for a promo and buy them full price on the side.

Hitting a certain stride, Ricardo has two fine records coming out this year: Italia to Chicago with Wrong Notes’ Reekee forthcoming on Roots Underground and Grooves, Vibes & Sessions as Latin Soul Brothas on Neroli – and that’s just a sweet taste of what’s to come.

This is an “all vinyl mix is a tribute to Enrico Crivellaro’s (Volcov) Neroli Records that has released many of my LSB EPs,” Ricardo says.

Ricardo Miranda: A 5 Mag Mix

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Ricardo Miranda: The 5 Mag Interview:

Noble Square is a small neighborhood in Chicago. Did you grow up there or were you living there when you started the label?

Noble Square was where my family moved to after there was major gentrification (with malice) in Lincoln Park. I was born and raised in Noble Square in the early part of my life on Milwaukee Avenue. Little did I know there were other future DJs in that same little complex that I would meet way later in life.

I named the label in the late nineties before it was born as part fantasy/part goal. Being the gateway to legendary party spots down Milwaukee, it made sense.

You’ve managed to leverage relationships with some legends here to release some great records on Noble Square. How do you know Boo Williams, and is it hard to get a person with his credibility to trust you with his tracks?

Even though I briefly met Boo before in Miami, I didn’t really meet him until he moved back to Chicago, through GU. His being on the label was a natural occurrence as I was around a lot eventually helping out with SJU Muzic increasingly. It was definitely an honor to have his music as well as GU’s.

The funny thing is I found out my older brother Frankie used to play a lot of arcade games against Boo. GU told me they used to kick it at the Warehouse when it was on Randolph. Small world.

This city is really a DJ university that produces the best of the best and you have to be nothing short of perfect.

What about yourself? Tell me your story here.

My story? It’s very complex with many twists and turns and music (especially House) has been with me the whole time. I was a shy kid who went through a lot of bullshit and my very best friends were all the vinyl records I could get my hands on. Most of that was my brother’s collection from Importes Etc to play on my Pioneer turntable and off-brand mixer which were hand-me-downs. The Pioneer is still in my possession. The best thing about waking up in sub-zero mornings for school was hearing my mother play Pet Shop Boys’ “West End Girls,” Fine Young Cannibals, Sade and Madonna on her turntable. I was really busy with life after high school and college but I always knew I would be making records at some point. Thank God I was able to finally do that.

I’ve known about your records for a few years but I’ve never seen you DJ. How often do you get a chance to play out? Do you want to more or less?

I have played overseas and in the US a handful of times. That includes mini-live sets in Chicago, Detroit and London. I will be playing out more in the future. It’s just tough because I wear many different hats and I can only focus on one major thing at a time. I also feel I have to really earn my right to be behind the decks and it should be an organic process. This city is really a DJ university that produces the best of the best and you have to be nothing short of perfect. The negative aspect is seeking perfection creates anxiety.

Is Latin Soul Brothas your undercover alias or are you open about it? What’s the difference between those tracks and ones under your own name?

No, Latin Soul Brothas is not my secret alias. Another name I use is my secret alias… which is a secret. (Even got a nice review in 5 Mag.)

With the Latin Soul Brothas project I try to incorporate more musical instrumentation with different members to achieve that Deep Latin Acid Jazz House fusion… with Breaks.

What can you tell us about this mix?

This all vinyl mix is a tribute to Enrico Crivellaro’s (Volcov) Neroli Records that has released many of my LSB EPs. The early Neroli releases feature the sounds of West London and the current releases feature sounds of Chicago, Detroit and the World. Enrico has been very patient waiting for another LSB project and I appreciate him for that and felt the need to do this mix of Neroli vinyl. Big ups to 5Mag and crew for hosting it!

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