"The remix of <i>A.B.A</i> is a bigger hit"

By: Faridoon Shahryar, IndiaFM
Thursday, May 04, 2006
"The Club Mixes of the original Himesh Reshamiya and Pritam compositions have more value. The remix of Aashiq Banaya Aapne done by me became a bigger hit," says Remix-Guru DJ Akbar Sami who self admittedly had no intention of being a DJ. "I was a dance choreographer in a club. One Saturday, the DJ didn't turn up and the manager forced me into doing that job. I liked that vibe." And rest, as they say, is history. On the dance floor!

Garam Masala, Kyun Ki, Koi Aap Sa, Malamaal Weekly, Chup Chup Ke, Shaadi Se Pehle, 36 China Town, Aksar, Aashiq Banaya Aapne, Humko Deewana Kar Gaye, Gangster, Tom Dick and Harry...The list of recent movies that feature remixes by Sami is endless. In fact he has come to a stage where he has turned music composer for the D Director Vishram Sawant's next venture titled Risk.

How much risk does he think he is taking by turning a composer when he had the more easier job of pepping up someone else's work? "I've gained enough experience as I've given twenty years of my life to music. For the last 15-18 years I've been working in studios. I've traveled all over the globe and know what sound is working. It's a risk. It's a challenge. But I am sure it's gonna work," the musicman says.

DJ Akbar Sami came into prominence with the remix album Jalwa that was appreciated for its production values and the zany video. Two more albums in the form of Jadoo and Jalwa 2 followed enhancing his 'reputation' as a DJ. But still, what about the many critics of the trend of 'remixing' or 'retrashing'? "When I am doing a Club Mix, then it is basically for the dance floor. I am not competing with the music composer who's made the melody as the serious element belongs to him," he says. And would he continue remixing even though he has turned a music composer. "Yes, I'll continue remixing."

Someone who is involved in the supposedly frivolous business of burning the dance floors, Sami has an eclectic liking in terms of musical taste. "I've grown up on Sufi tunes, Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, Sabri Brothers, Ghulam Ali, George Benson, soulful music, Jazz, Blues...Listening to all this has helped me a lot. It's given me a lot of experience and showed me a direction." And the fellow DJs he likes. "I think Naved and Nikhil did a very good job of Zinda. Aqueel is good too."

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