Mampi Swift

Mampi Swift is the stage name of British drum and bass DJ and producer Philip Anim.

He is from Liverpool, UK.

He began DJing in 1990 after working behind the counter at the now defunct Lucky Spin record store/studio, and shortly afterwards, released his début album, "Mainframe".

Between 1992 and 2000 he was resident at the London pirate radio station Kool FM.

He released records on labels such as True Playaz and Frontline Records before setting up his own record label, Charge Recordings, in 1997.

. HOW DID THE NAME 'MAMPI SWIFT' COME ABOUT?

'Laughs out Loud'!! Originally it was just Swift. That came about from the speed I mix. There was a bit of confusion at one time because there was another Swift who played hardcore. It was around the time of the early Kool FM days and, as what started out as a bit of a joke, MC Navigator gave me the name Mampi Swift.

2. WHAT/WHO INSPIRED YOU TO WANT TO START DJ'ING?

I love the music. When I was 13 I use to go to raves like Energy to see Fabio & Gooverider. I started DJing in 1990 at Laser Drome. I then got into production when I worked in Lucky Spin Record Shop. There was a studio next door and there were a few of us going in there like Trace & Tonic. Pete Parsons (AKA Voyager) helped us out a lot.

3. HOW LONG DID IT TAKE BEFORE YOU GOT ONTO KOOL FM AND HOW DID IT ALL HAPPEN?

I started playing on Kool FM in 92. I was mates with DJ Buzz & the Weedkillers. DJ Buzz and it went from there.

4. THERE WAS A TIME WHEN YOU WERE TEARING UP SET AFTER SET AND RELEASING QUALITY TUNES ON VARIOUS DIFFERENT LABELS, YET YOU FAILED TO GAIN THE HIGH PROFILE YOU DESERVED. THIS MUST HAVE BEEN FRUSTRATING - HOW DID YOU DEAL WITH IT?

I believe it takes time to build recognition in everything that you do. Like any producer the initial thing to do is put out releases other labels. The natural progression would later be to start my own imprint. It was not so much frustrating, more part of the course that has to be taken. Patience, perseverance & starting the label were how I dealt with it.

5. 1997 SAW THE START OF 'CHARGE RECORDINGS', YOUR OWN IMPRINT. HOW DID THIS COME ABOUT?

I was making a lot of music that I wanted to put out so it made sense to start up Charge Recordings. A few years later I started up Blade Recordings, which offers a different Drum & Bass sound. I also saw my long-term career to be in music. The labels have provided me with a business.

6. NOT LONG AFTER THIS, YOU RELEASED THE NOW FAMOUS 'THE ONE'. DID YOU ANTICIPATE IN ANY WAY HOW SUCCESSFUL IT WOULD BE?

No not at all. It was originally only done for a dubplate. It took one hour to make hence the name but coincidentally when I took it to Leon at Music House to cut it, he said 'IT'S THE ONE'.

7. HOW LONG DID IT TAKE TO PUT THE ALBUM 'MAINFRAME' TOGETHER AND WHAT WERE YOUR MAIN INTENTIONS WITH REGARD TO ITS DIRECTION?

I made a lot of tunes over the space of about 5 months from which I selected the 10 I was 100% happy with for the album. The idea was to have a collective of 10 quality tunes for the dance floor.

8. WHICH OF THE TUNES FEATURED ON THE 'MAINFRAME' ALBUM HAVE PROVED TO BE THE MOST POPULAR WHEN YOU'VE PLAYED THEM OUT?

Blaxploitation, Future Mainframe, Damage, Tripped & Ultimate Sound.

9. 'MAINFRAME' IS A DÉBUT ALBUM, NOT ONLY FOR YOURSELF, BUT FOR THE LABEL 'CHARGE' AS WELL. WHAT ARE THE INTENTIONS REGARDING THE LABEL AND WHAT ARE YOUR OWN PLANS FOR THE FUTURE?

Well I have a manager now sorting everything out so now the focus is on offering more from the labels with the introduction of other artists and some new stuff from me on Blade Recordings. December The Classics EP Volume 1 is released as a Limited Edition pressing in response to the call I get for some of the old tunes to be repressed. Hi Tek & Touch of J will be 2 of the tunes on it. Jan sees the first Charge release from another artist…. The Power EP from Friction and then in Feb there will be a 12" from Special K….Empty Handed/Paste… In March there will be an EP from Special K & D'Cruz. From me in March there will be The Blade Runners EP. I am looking to do a world tour next year and release another album in September. There is also the possibility of a regular Charge night at some point.

10. WHAT INSPIRES YOU GO INTO THE STUDIO AND WRITE A TUNE?

I just get an enthusiastic vibe sometimes. This is often generated after playing out and seeing the enthusiasm from the people who appreciate my music.

11. WHICH OTHER ARTISTS IN DRUM 'N' BASS ARE YOU FEELING RIGHT NOW?

Friction. The stuff he is producing right now is quality. There are a few tunes doing it for me at the moment. One that springs to mind is Bad Company's Ladies of Spain and the Ram camp are putting out some good stuff.

12. WHAT HAS BEEN YOUR PROUDEST ACHIEVEMENT IN DRUM 'N' BASS SO FAR?

Getting this far. The recognition for the label and the music. Seeing the people when I play out enjoy what I do and the people buying my music reflects this.