by
Juno Daily
on 03.06.2025 at 06:09am.
Last edited: 03.06.2025 at 16:13pm.
The mighty Gaudi casts his mind back to 2007
Gaudi (pictured above) is somewhat of institution among those who love their dub on the experimental side.
From Lee ‘Scratch’ Perry and Steel Pulse to Hollie Cook, Don Letts and The Orb – who regularly rope him in to play their West Norwood Broadcasting Corporation radio station – he’s worked with them all. So when we discovered his production work with Ashtech (pictured below) on their cult favourite from 2007, the Walkin’ Target album, was due to get a second airing this month via the Dubmission label, we jumped at the chance to ask him a few questions…
First of all, can you tell us where you are right now, and what kind of day you’re having…Been anywhere already or going anywhere interesting later?
At the moment, I am in Gatwick Airport, getting ready to fly to Scotland for my gig tonight in Glasgow, my 18th show of my 2025 tour.
Your 2007 album with Ashtech is about to resurface after 18 years… How did the two of you cross paths What was your common musical ground and how did the decision to hook up in the studio happen?
At that time Ashtech was the bass player of the band Almamengretta, with which I did some studio work in the past for. He came to London with a demo concept of his album and proposed me to produce it, the rest is history.
As soon as I listened to the rough songs he had, I could already see a full picture. I suggested to add some ragga vocals on three tracks, then called my friend Cheshire Cat (vocalist of leftfield) into the studio. Our musical common ground was undoubtedly dub music: we both love reggae but we also love electronic experimentalism.
What are your memories of making the album? Where was it made and was it a 9-5 type thing or were you burning the midnight oil?
The initial phase consisted of demos created by Ashtech in his home studio, then we did the official recording sessions in my studio, Metatron Studio in London.
It took us five full months, including the mixing, and then I passed the mixes to my mastering specialist David Blackman at Hiltongrove Studio for the final process.
Why did you decide to go for the title Walkin’ Target?
The title was decided after Cheshire Cat recorded his vocal session in my studio. His lyrics are truly amazing and extremely deep, an inspiring source to find ideas for the album title. ‘Walkin’ Target’ was in-fact one of the three songs he sung and we decided to keep that title also for the album.
What was the experience of digging out the tapes after all this time like? Any unexpected moments that you’d clean forgotten about?
Digging out the 18 year old master tapes was a very fascinating experience for me, as I haven’t listened to the album in ages and I didn’t remember precisely what it contained. I felt as excited as a kid opening a pirate’s chest and finding the treasure!
It was all there, every file, every recording session, all perfectly in place as if the album was done last month. I took the first listen and I genuinely thought “wow, Ash and I really did a great f++++g job! here!”.
Is this a one off or has it sparked the prospect of more stuff together?
The album was a one-off project, but two more tracks were made by us and included on two different compilations. Neither of those are included on this album.
What’s next for you in the short/medium/long term?
Busy on tour at the moment, plus a number of exciting releases out soon:
Track ‘Dey rmx’ I did with Don Letts feat. Damian Marley and included on Seun Kuti’s album Heavier Yet, out next week.
Track ‘Lazy Arc Gaudi rework’ with legendary German producer Roedelius and American composer Tim Story, out tomorrow.
Album ‘Disturbia’ by Phonolab aka Gaudi and Eraldo Bernocchi, feat. Bill Laswell, Gerald Casale of DEVO, Mark Stewart and Grammy Award winner vocalist Flowdan.
Album ‘Dub Manipulation’ by Steel Pulse, produced by myself.
7″ single ‘Bring Change’ by Marcus Upbeat, produced by myself.
Album ‘Through The Storm’ by An Dannsa Dub, co-produced by myself.
My 19th solo album ‘Jazz Gone Dub’ feat. Sly & Robbie, Jah Wobble, David Hinds of Steel Pulse, Ernest Ranglin.
E.P ‘Between Zenith and Nadir’ I did with DJ Daniele Baldelli.
Album ‘Gaudi – Theremin Tribute to The Smiths, produced by myself.
What are you hearing that’s inspiring you?
Inspiration-wise, unfortunately nothing of what’s going on now: myartistic inspirations are found in the past.
We hear talk of an Orb collab on Orbscure? Care to share any juicy info on that?
Yep, The Orb and myself joined forces and created the brand-new project MARREE MEN, first single ‘Mind The Gap’ is out now on a 7″ flexi vinyl. Full album out in Autumn.
Pre-order your copy of Walkin’ Target by Ashtech, out on June 6, by clicking here
