For any true house fan, the name JoVonn is one which never fails to create intrigue and expectation. The  internationally respected producer has been adding his vast musical talents to dance, R&B, Hip Hop and Neosoul records for over 20 years and has become synonymous with the underground soulful house scene. His new album 'Blaque House' is primed to drop on Spen's Code Red imprint, and we caught up with the Brooklyn born maestro

You’ve had tracks released for both major and independent labels. What are the benefits of majors and why did you choose to release your new album on Code Red?

The benefits of a major was that at the time I released  ‘Turn & Runaway ‘ and ‘Love So Special’ I had primetime air play on major radio, which really gave those singles a boost. The thing I love about Indie labels though is you get the chance to play at clubs all around the world. I chose Code Red for ‘Blaque House’ because me and Spen always talked about doing work  and collaborating on projects.  I started doing some remix projects for Code Red and Defected and Spen was like " Why don’t you do an album for Code Red”.  Me and Spen are best friends; more like family really and I really wanted to work with him on this project.

Do you think hip-hop and House can make for a happy partnership?

I think hip hop and House make a great partnership. It’s all music and in fact that’s what it was it early 80’s New York – just music. You go to a club and the DJ is playing hip-hop then round 12:30am he’s playing house!  People go nuts when that happens. It was never separated and people had a good time all night. I think that house would be in a different state then what we see now, if that cross cultural sound had continued. I think we would’ve had better videos, real singers and more producers signed to major labels.

Describe your sound…

My sound is what I call New York soul; soulful and techy. I like to venture to different sounds and make sure every track I do sounds different from one another. Hard kicks, jazzy chords, deep basslines; that’s what makes the Jovonn sound.

What are your aspirations for the future?

To move on to composing movie scores, to keep doing house and to start an R&B label

As a singer, musician, producer and DJ – you’re the full package. Do you think that might give you an advantage in the dance scene where typically producers aren’t classically trained?

Yeah, you could say I’m fairly self-contained. I ain’t classically trained though; I play by ear. My mom and dad taught me how to play all kinds of instruments from drums to keyboard to guitars and how to sing. I learned how to DJ from watching disc jockeys play in the New York city parks. So yes I do think I have an advantage in the house scene.

Why did you call the album ‘Blaque House’?

I came up with that because I didn’t want the title to be stereotyped towards the black music scene.   I meant it to stand for bringing house into the light and out of the darkness. I want to keep house alive and hope this album shows other producers we can do anything. I wanted the album to be on a house tip, but to be as diverse as possible; that’s why I included the neo soul song ‘Spending Time’.

What are your hopes for it?

 I look forward to the public appreciating what I’ve done and also to seeing DJs and club goers playing and digging every cut on the album.

Anything else you’d like to tell us?

To all my Jovonn supporters through the years and more years to come; I want to thank you and I love you all.  

'Blaque House' is out 8th June on Code Red Recordings