Following the Tribe's departure from N*Soul Records to Warner Alliance and thebandwithnoname, Raze appeared on the scene. This was a very early interview between Tasty and Raze. — Editor

Following the Tribe's departure from N*Soul Records to Warner Alliance and thebandwithnoname, Raze appeared on the scene. This was a very early interview between Tasty and Raze. — Editor

Tastyfresh's Dj Andy Payne recently caught up with the new Movation band "Raze"

Following in the footsteps of the Worldwide Message Tribe are Tulsa, Oklahoma band Raze. Musically they do have some similarities with the Tribe, but their main priority like the Tribe is to reach School kids for God. Tastyfresh talked to Ja'Marc from the band in Zarc Porters Perfect Music studios in Manchester. Thanks go to Zarc and Miriam Porter for the hospitality, and to Belinda at Alliance Music for sorting out the interview.

Tastyfresh: Who is in the band Raze?

Raze: Mizze, Karina, Nathan, Donnella, LaTekia and me, Ja'Marc.

Tastyfresh:
Where are you all from?

Raze: We are all from Tulsa,Oklahoma, except Karina who is from England.

Tastyfresh: How did you all meet up?

Raze: I started out as a dancer for rap group ETW, and began dancing for Carman, I danced on his "Raising the Standard" Tour. I knew these artists from my Church, the Higher Dimensions Church under the pastorship of Carlton Pearson. During this time I met Mizze, LaTekia and Toomie, who were dance Students of mine. Donnie met Missy on a cruise ship in Japan. We all met through my Church, and we formed the "Joy to the World" Ministry, who are a schools outreach ministry. We needed music to fit in with the ministry, and that's how Raze came about.

Tastyfresh: How did you end up on Movation records?

Raze: Actually we were not looking for a record deal. We were part of a band, "Mixed" at the time. We met up with Zarc Porter and the Tribe at the Fishnet Festival in Virginia. It was just a meeting of hearts, from everything from Live Presentation, Music, and a calling to Schools work. We started to talk to Movation Records ( The Tribes record label) and the deal simply came. We are not yet signed to an American label but Warner Alliance have first refusal of the Album in The USA.

Tastyfresh: Tell me about your album.

Raze: We have recorded twelve tracks of dance music, based quite simply of the subject " Why I am where I am" in our faith. Some of the tracks are entitled "The Way", "Shine", "Thank You" and " I need your love". There will be two club Orientated remixes on the album as well. We have been recording the tracks here at Perfect Music with Zarc Porter. As to what specific style of dance music we are, we simply describe ourselves as Dance Music.

Tastyfresh: Who writes the lyrics?

Raze: The album was written by Zarc Porter and Mark Pennells from the Tribe, and me.

Tastyfresh: Are you happy with the comparisons with the Tribe?

Raze: Certainly. They are an established ministry which we are happy to be compared to.

Tastyfresh: What is it like working with Zarc?

Raze: It was incredible. Zarc is a genius! He has a real good way of mapping out a record- he knows I have my ideas on music though and we collaborate well so musically its a mix of ours and Zarc's ideas.

Tastyfresh: What does your album address lyrically?

Raze: The focus of the lyrics at present are about God, about what we do and aspects of our relationships with God. We are going to touch deeper issues as time goes on.

Tastyfresh: Do you have a musical background?

Raze: Yes. My father in a minister of Music at Higher Dimensions. I was born in Detroit where my father had a rehearsal studio. I have musical memories of Fred Hammond on the Bass, Marvin Winans on the drums and Be Be Winans singing.

Tastyfresh: What are your musical influences, secular and christian?

Raze: The Tribe. Michael Jackson. Seal. Sting. Jazz and Blues and at present I am listening to No Doubt. As you see its pretty broad based.

Tastyfresh: Tell us about Raze live.

Raze: During our live work I am the focal point of the band, with female vocals as well. We are very High energy, 100 miles per hour style, with lots of singing, dancing and crowd interaction. We teach the audience to dance as well. To start with we will be working closely with the Tribe, mainly in the UK, but we are also doing some youth conferences in America. One big concert we did was the Essential Dance Music Festival in Holland with a bill of DBA, the Tribe, Hydro, Normal Generation and us. There was a crowd on 2,200 people, and we were well accepted for a band nobody had heard of before. we still need to spend some more time on our live work and to practice some more, but we aim to have a real exciting show ready for our visit to the UK in August 1997 when we will be doing some more live work.

Tastyfresh: As a multiracial band, have you experienced any problems?

Raze: Not really. Remember, we are not a manufactured band, we grew up together and it was natural we would work together. Most of us worship at the same church which is mainly White, but has a Black pastor.

Tastyfresh: What exactly do you see is the church's problem with Dance Music?

Raze: Its Tradition and Religion. Some people forget that Christianity is about a relationship with Christ first and foremost.

Tastyfresh: Is Dance Music of God?

Raze: Certainly. God can use any form of music, and dance music is based on gospel music. God created everything, including Dance Music. In any event dancing was originally simply a form of worship, and is biblically based.

Tastyfresh: Tell us about your schools work.

Raze: Our music is for 9 year olds and up. I have seen the positive effect that Christians like us can have on kids. They look at us and simply say" I can do it". The current climate in schools in America is that you cant pray durring school hours, can't even say the word God. Its not just about prayer in schools, I don't know how much real difference that alone would make. We overcome the problems by taking a platform of Self Inspiration and Self Esteem and by setting a positive image, our faith comes through.

Tastyfresh: What is in the future for Raze?

Raze: We are looking to do more live work, but our heart is in schools work.

Tastyfresh: Thank you, Ja'Marc.