Paul Oakenfold - A Lively Mind

Paul Oakenfold - A Lively Mind image

Released 5^th June 2006

"A Lively Mind" is Paul Oakenfold's second artist album and his second for Perfecto Records. Of course, every single one of his mix albums and projects have involved a high level of artistry, so perhaps a little explanation is in order...

Paul Oakenfold has long been one of the most important--if not the most important--name in modern club culture. People who don't know that much about DJ culture or the music itself, are familiar with Oakenfold's name and what he represents. Of course, many people who think they're unfamiliar with Oakey’s music actually may have heard it often, thanks to appearances globally on the radio and TV featured in commercials supporting mega brands such as Coca-Cola, Toyota, Motorola and Saab - all of which ran throughout 2005, not to mention his contributions to hit films such as "Swordfish" (which Oakenfold scored), "The Matrix Reloaded" and Michael Man’s "Collateral". In fact, when the superstar DJ sold out the Hollywood Bowl a couple of years ago, many pundits viewed the events as definitive proof that dance culture had finally arrived in America--a force as powerful as any other in modern pop music.

"I'm an infant in the 'artist' world, weaned and ready to blossom," jokes the composer. "I still primarily believe that songs are the way to move forward in my musical world, which has always been very instrumentally-based. So coming up with great songs takes time. And, naturally, I'd jump from making the record to working on cues for films or doing a couple of remixes and then I'd get inspired and jump back into it. Some of the tracks have been reworked many times over to find a comfortable arena for me."

A perfect blend could also be the perfect phrase to describe the cohesiveness of A Lively Mind - a title which means "an active person," says its creator. Balance was the key on this one, and the artist believes that this album may strike with a larger audience than "Bunkka", an album that tended to alienate a small portion of his large audience.

"What I set out to do on my last record was probably one step ahead of the game," he says in retrospect. "The dance world or electronic world was expecting more of a DJ record and I wanted to make a record that was more out there. Direction is hugely important to me--to have a balance. And I felt like maybe I'd lost a bit of balance on Bunkka. So this record is a lot more up-tempo, a lot more focused, and a lot more comfortable in the electronic world than the last record was and yet it still has a variety of flavours."

The first single to be released April 17th has punk tinged riffs on the electro rocker, "Faster Kill Pussycat", it’s sexy vocals come courtesy of Eminem’s on-screen ("8-Mile") lover Britney Murphy, before Oakey powers on in a Pet Shop boys-esque "No Compromise". The inquisitively titled "Sex n Money" features hip-hop phenomenon Pharrel Williams (honest) and is inspired by his 4 years of calling LA, home - it encompasses melodic disco riffs and chords, large build ups with unforgiving bass kicks and a pure Oakenfold techy stomps.

Intriguing breaks "Switch On" as does the accompanying "Set It Off", maximising the electric guitars and dubby breakbeat, respectively. The latter, features the great hip-hop legend Grandmaster Flash… "Flash and I have long talked about making a track together he’s the godfather! So it was truly an honour to work with him. I don't think there's another DJ I would actually make a record with but I really liked the idea of the guy who arguably started the whole DJ thing being on my record. And I liked the idea of our worlds colliding and our sounds clashing. That's why the track is a little more electronic than some of the others. It's a perfect blend of both our elements."

"Amsterdam" is a darker, heavily techno oriented place that’s fond in all our hearts, whereas the tougher "Save The Last Trance For Me" & the vocal "Not Over" will have peeps reaching for those invisible shelves in the air. Ending on the indie-rock tones of "Feed Your Mind", Oakenfold continues his eclectic lifestyle and his music on the new album shows that.

So 2006 sees Oakenfold continue with the hectic schedule he never preserves as work - he comments, "I never thought I’d see the world through a box of records and I’m still loving every minute!"