No introduction necessary. This man is the man of the hour, Mr Lee Coombs. Having never relinquished his hold on acid-tinged music, Coombs has defined a sound of his own, dating back through the various labels he’s produced for up to present day, with his current label de rigeur Finger Lickin’. A long string of productions and remixes marked with great success and support over the years culminated in the recent release of Coombs’ debut artist album ‘Breakfast of Champions’. Calling on the help of some friends, Coombs enlisted Dylan Rhymes, Andy Gardner of Plump DJs, Jem Panufnik of Soul of Man and Grant Plant, amongst others, to co-produce tracks for the album. Some of Coombs’ recent remixes are also included, showing his talent in re-interpreting such hits as Paul Oakenfold’s ‘Time of You Life’ and New Order’s ‘Crystal’. ITM’s Marquee Moon caught up with the breakbeat chef to discuss the state of syncopated beats, his new album, and what the future holds for Lee Coombs.

ITM – First off, congratulations on the success of ‘Breakfast of Champions’. How does it feel to have ‘Alright All Night’ top the breaks charts?

Coombs - Very nice indeed! It’s always nice to see people liking your productions.

ITM – All but a few tracks off the album were produced in conjunction with someone. How does the production dynamic change when two people are pouring themselves into something as opposed to producing alone?

Coombs - It’s a totally different process. When you are on your own you just try things out until you’re happy with the result. I normally have a good idea of what I want to hear when I start a tune. When there are two of you, you might try something like a loop or a synth noise and if the other person says they don’t like it and wants to try something else it could totally change the direction of the tune. Either way, it’s all good.

ITM – If production partnerships are in the future, are there any producers besides the ones you’ve already worked with who you’d like to partner up with in the studio?

Coombs - I have nobody else in mind at the moment. I’m really happy with the people that I’m working with already.

ITM – The acid influence on the album is radically apparent. Do you find that in order to go forward one must look backward?

Coombs - I love acid house and it will always be a part of my music in one form or another. It seems that electronic acid music has become very popular again; good timing for me!

ITM – It would seem that popular music moves in a cyclical pattern. Where do you see breaks going from here? Do you see a continuation of the mash-up between breaks, techno, funk and house?

Coombs - I think breaks, just like any other genre, will continue to evolve forever. It is a constant mash-up of styles and certain ones seem to be more prominent at times. There is room for all the styles in this world.

ITM – Being signed to Finger Lickin’ Records, do you find that your productions lean towards breaks, whereas you might produce more acid house tinged tracks if signed to another label?

Coombs - Yes and no… I like producing all styles of music. Finger Lickin’ puts out the funkier breaks and I have my own label, Thrust Recordings, which I do a more underground acid house influenced sound on.

ITM – In an interview last January you stated that you had completed 8 tracks for the album. 10 months went by until the release on the album and 4 more tracks are included. Did you run into problems releasing this album?

Coombs - No, I made lots of tracks for this album. Not all of them were used.

ITM – In the liner notes of the album, you speak of the pressure of materialising personal experience in this album. Would you say that you are making a statement with the album?

Coombs - In a way. This album represents the sound that is totally me right now.

ITM – With such a milestone now completed, will production be set to the side for a while?

Coombs - No, I have never been busier! I’m doing remixes for lots of people and am still writing original material for myself. When you feel creative you should let it out straight away! It might not be there in the future.

ITM – When DJing are people shocked to hear your sets be filled with such a variety of musical styles?

Coombs - I think a few years ago some people were, but now I think people have come to expect it. Hopefully!

ITM – You mention time and time again your love for San Francisco. What is it about the scene there that has you so enthralled? Does the city play a factor in that?

Coombs - I love San Francisco. I have just come back from there where I did an album launch party, there were 2,000 crazy people all going off to my music. It was fantastic. I have been going there for years now and have made a lot of good friends. There is something about the vibe of the whole city that I like.

ITM – Where is somewhere that you would love to play, but haven’t had the chance to yet?

Coombs - I think I have played all my favorite destinations by now. I think Sydney New Year’s Day should be a bit special though!

ITM – Any goals for 2005?

Coombs - Try to push my sound forward more and spread it further in to the world.

‘Breakfast of Champions’ is out now through Finger Lickin’/Inertia, don’t miss your chance to see Coombs touring the country this December and January with fellow breaks-on-the-house-tip DJ and producer Meat Katie:

Sun Dec 26th, Perth - Breakfest (BUY TICKETS)
Fri Dec 31st, Sydney – Underwater NYE (BUY TICKETS)
Sat Jan 1st, Sydney – Field Day (SOLD OUT)
Sat Jan 1st, Melbourne – Summadayze (ITM SOLD OUT)
Sat Jan 8th, Gold Coast – Summafieldayze (BUY TICKETS)