What comes to mind when you think of TAZ? (No, not a cartoon character!) Even though this guy is on TV just as much as our furry Aussie friend, and he is a rare breed too, its because he's pushed more barriers for our industry than perhaps any artist in our industry today, Irfan was lucky enough to grab a quick word with the man formerly known as Johnny Zee, and cos it was his birthday, and all babies love cartoons, Mr Exclusive, Masaeb, begged to come along too!

1) So why the name change from Johnny Zee to Taz? Was it for commercial reasons or was it something deeper?

It was more to do with re-invention. Johnny Zee had gone as far as I think I could go and I felt it was time to change. I felt I needed to have a different name in order to be perceived differently.

2) How did you come up with the name Stereo Nation? And when did they officially form?

We officially formed back in 1997 as I was working with DJ Kendall. Each word of the name Stereo Nation has it's own meaning. The thinking behind the 'stereo' was that a stereo means left and right and there was two of us. The 'nation' comes from the fact that we are from two differant nations thus bring the two nations together, hope that all makes sense!

Taz

3) In your early albums such as Jambo, and Nasha you used to work with DJ Kendall, but lately he hasn't featured on any of your work, has he officially left the Stereo Nation camp, if so was the split amicable, or were you at each other's throat? We had come to a time when we thought it was time to re-invent again. Amicable we felt it was time for a change to enable both of us to seek out individual ventures. 4) For me you really came into the spot light just after 1997, with the Jambo album, I particularly remember you doing a live performance late one night on a Zee TV youth show, I think that night many people sat up and really took notice of you, would you agree? Absolutely, it took me to an international level. Success is not something that you predict. It was most definitely an important chapter in my career. I'd say from that point onwards people sat up and took notice!

5) In your formative years, you were mainly seen as Bhangra artist, and you are still probably to date the only artist to fuse English and Hindi Lyrics together really well, do you write your own lyrics in Hindi and English?

I was labelled a bhangra artist, as that was the only label people used at the time. However, I'd say I was a fusion artist even in that genre. Personally, I have never considered myself to be solely a bhangra artist. I am British born and luckily I have been able to travel a lot. This has enabled me to pick up ideas globally, which I treat with an open mind. I am not scared to use lyrics from another language as I have used Spanish and even Swahili in the past. As far as writing my own lyrics, I write all my songs. This helps me 'feel' the music, which definitely helps me produce better tunes as a direct result of this.

6) With the release of the super smash album Slave 2 Fusion (Pyar Ho Gaye for those back home) and your last album, we saw a more Hindi pop kind of feel to your music and lyrics; did you actively make the change so your music would appeal to a wider audience? Or were you just doing what you felt was right?

It was not deliberate. For me music is all about the vibe, what I am feeling at the time. One thing for real is that I am a perfectionist. I don't just want to emulate what I achieved from my last album but try to make each album better than the last. I'm just glad people liked the album so much at the time in question.

7) You've done a few Bollywood tracks recently, which for me proves the diversity and ability you possess. However, some bhangra fans have described you as being a 'sell-out' as presumable you get more money for doing Bollywood tracks. What do you have to say to these people?

I thrive on a challenge. If an artist sticks to one style of music then they are restricting themselves big time. To me music has no barriers and any artist who created barriers to stay within is limiting himself creatively. I was approached by Bollywood to do the songs and saw it is an opportunity to broaden my horizons. It was just an offer that I could not turn down. I've even recently been approached by the American Film industry to star in a movie. I'm making my acting debut in 'Arranged Marriage', as well as being commissioned to record two songs for the movie. It co-stars Amisha Patel (Star of Kaho Na Pyar Hai). It's due out around summer 2004.

8) You're among an elite group of people which include, Malkit Singh, Apache Indian, Jazzy B, and more recently Jassi Sidhu who have all been accepted with open arms to setting up shop firmly in the market back home, what does it feel like to be a superstar in the UK and back home, As to being a star in the UK, and a relative unknown back home? I'm humbled by the way the UK, India and the rest of the world have embraced me globally. It makes no difference to me the where the recognition comes from; I just appreciate anybody that listens to my stuff. 9) I'm a firm believer that the Slave II Fusion album really rubber-stamped your status as a genuine artist all over the world, would you agree? Yes, that album appealed to a wider audience than my previous stuff. The release was 8 yrs into my career as

Taz

an artist. I never expected it to do so well. It opened the door and a lot of opportunities for me, which would not have materialised otherwise.

10) We haven't heard any material form you in ages, so what have you been up to, you've got a new album out shortly, and from what I hear it's got a bit of Hawaii 5 O feel to it? What can we expect form your latest offering?

Since the last album, Taz-mania, the two years have been filled with touring commitments. I have played pretty much everywhere from New York to Australia. During the time I have been recording the album 'on' and 'off' between my hectic schedule. This is why it took me so long but it will definitely be worth the wait. I believe that I have excelled with this album but I guess the fans will be the true judges of this.

11) Until your latest single (Laila), you haven't ever used samples, is this one off, and what are your views on sampling?

Well, I'd disagree with that remark as I have used sampling from day one of my career. I do keep these few and far between but sometimes it's difficult to emulate an exact sound that I hear on my travels without actually using that sound. However with the new album I have used more 'live' musicians than I have on any of my previous stuff to date. When you hear the album for yourself this will be evident.

12) What do you think of the sudden flood of garage and hip-hop albums, with MC'ing, would you ever consider producing something similar?

I haven't used 'mc'ing' as such in my stuff to date but I have used rapping many times. Your comment is similar to what I got asked by a lot of fans. From this feedback I decided it time for me to pursue this avenue. Therefore, I have used a new MC going by the name 'Mc Angel' whom I discovered recently. We got a great vibe from the off and you can see him in action in one of the video's for the album.

Taz

13) One thing I must ask you, your views on synthesizing voices, I think Sukshinda Shinda started it off with Laal, and you used it to great effect in Slave 2 Fusion, but now it has been rinsed out with some singers solely relying on it as a way of singing, would you agree? Absolutely! Using it in a way that is subtle makes sense but to hide the fact that you can't sing is unacceptable. Someone who relies on this method is kidding themselves and the public, and eventually they just won't stand the test of time. 14) I hear you are now with a new record label. Is there any truth in that? I have signed with Cyberphonic Records. We have the same vision so it's a positive move for my career. Big things to come from them…

15) You made an attempt to make it in the mainstream with 'Laila', which was only semi-successful. With the sudden mainstream attention that everything Asian seems to be getting at the moment is Taz going to release something aimed at the mainstream in the near future?

There are plans for a single release next year. But for the time being I am just concentrating on this next album and making my movie debut as discussed earlier.

16) You seem to enjoy performing whenever I've seen you especially at melas. You just seem to want to go on and on, where does all the energy come from?

From up above of course! I feel the crowd. For me there is nothing like performing in front of thousands of people live. The buzz is better than sex!

17) We've had a flood a letters, calls, and e-mails from female, and male, just kidding only female fans asking whether or not you are single, care to comment?

I'll leave that one for your imagination.

18) What can we expect from your forthcoming album Café Mumbai? Can we expect an old school Bhangra album, or are you sticking with Punjabi pop? As it's been recorded over the last 2 years, there's alot of influences from around the world. These influences range from Lollywood, Bollywood, Arabic, Jazz, Funk and RnB just to name a few. The album features 16 tracks so hopefully there is something for everybody on there. It features artists such as Rishi Rich, Shubra (sang Galaan Gooriyan on Slave II Fusion album), Mc Angel, Baluji Shrivastav on sitars and a wide range of co-producers. Right now, I'm working on two videos, which should be hitting you T.V screens real soon. They're for the tracks 'Apna Sangeet' and 'Baby Don't Go.' They have been produced and directed by India's very own 'Bella' and have both been shot in Bombay.

Café Mumbai

19) What else can we expect from Taz in the near future?

I will be touring America & Europe throughout December. I will fly back for a deserved rest after that then I'm back in Bombay to shoot some more videos. I plan to go to Pakistan in February for a Barsant tour. After this I'm heading off to New York in March to start shooting for the movie.

20) Finally have you any message for the desitunes4u fans out there?

Just want to say a big thanks to all my fans for supporting me over the years and I hope you like my new album! This one is for you all……….

That concludes the interview; it was pleasure to chat to you. The album, Café Mumbai, is due out on 11th December and promises to be one phat release.