Inside The Juno Reactor

Welcome to "Inside The Juno Reactor" Podcast Episode 10: Greg Ellis - Drums on film & more - Alexandre Desplat, Zakir Hussain, Kodo drummers, JR SYNOPSIS: As "Inside The Juno Reactor's" first season closes with Greg Ellis, JR's main drummer and percussionist who contributed with live touring & studio sessions, The Matrix... From his background as a rock/punk drummer to his project with Azam Ali, "VAS",  working in the Film & Videogame industry, discussing percussions, musicianship, and technology, reminiscing studio life with Juno Reactor and Mabi, and much more! GUEST BIO: Recognized as one of the more innovative and versatile drummers in the world Greg Ellis has performed around the world and recorded with musical artists from over 30 countries including Mickey Hart, Zakir Hussain, KODO, Bickram Ghosh, Mahsa Vahdat, Tord Gustavsen, Yungchen Lhamo, Chiwoniso Mairaire, Sugizo, Juno Reactor, Billy Idol and many more. GUEST LINK: https://www.instagram.com/gerhythms/ Produced by Kenji Productions - https://www.kenjiproductions.com Discover more at: https://www.junoreactor.com

Welcome to "Inside The Juno Reactor" Podcast  Episode 9: Mabi - King of Conga Fury (Miles Davis, Juno Reactor)   SYNOPSIS: This week's "Inside the Juno Reactor" is dedicated to Mabi, his life and unique persona, his amazing percussion, musical skills, and cheerful character. In this special interview shot by Ben Watkins 10 years ago at JR's Ridge Farm Studio, we hear the Mabi story: a look at his background and early life in South Africa, to then explore what then became an essential element, Mabi changed the trajectory of Juno Reactor, a collaborator for 15 years. GUEST BIO: One of South Africa's most venerable musicians, a veteran of bands such as Malombo and Sakhile, Mabi Gabriel Thobejane is a natural born drummer. Known in the West as the 'Conga King' he has worked with Robert "Doc" Mthalane, Pops Mohamed, Miles Davis Sipho Gumede, Madala Kunene and Busi Mhlongo. Interested in bringing traditional music to a wider audience he has more recently collaborated with premier trance outfit Juno Reactor. Born 1948 in Mamelodi, South Africa, and passed on June 3, 2021.   GUEST LINK: https://www.facebook.com/MabiThobejaneFromDanceToTrance/  Produced by Kenji Productions - https://www.kenjiproductions.com  Discover more at: https://www.junoreactor.com

Welcome to "Inside The Juno Reactor" Podcast Episode 8: Deepak Ram  - The Master Behind "Navras" & "Solaris" Bansuri Flute SYNOPSIS: This week Inside The Juno Reactor it's a pleasure to welcome Deepak Ram, a musician of extraordinary grace. His playing is beyond technique,  and for me it is sublime. His ability to transport me to other dimensions is what first knocked me out when he came down to my London studio to record a track called "Solaris". On "The Matrix Revolutions", when it came time to call musicians for what was to become "Navras", he was on top of my list. His bansuri can also be heard on movie soundtracks, such as “The Fast And The Furious”, “Matrix Revolutions”, “India, Kingdom of the Tiger”, “Stealth” and “Before The Rains” GUEST BIO: Deepak Ram is a South African-born flautist, composer, keyboard player, and producer of Indian origin. Deepak is considered a master of bansuri, an Indian flute of ancient origin made from bamboo. He is a senior disciple of world-renowned bansuri maestro Pandit Hariprasad Chaurasia under whom he studied Indian classical music. Deepak's versatile playing and breadth of musical repertoire meld classical and improvisational techniques of Indian Raga, Jazz, Blues, and Flamenco into a fusion that has garnered critical acclaim internationally. GUEST LINK: http://www.deepakram.com/ Produced by Kenji Productions - www.kenjiproductions.com Discover more at: www.junoreactor.com

Welcome to "Inside The Juno Reactor" Podcast Episode 7: Jason Bentley - Music Supervisor, Electronic Music evangelist, KCRW host SYNOPSIS: This week inside the Juno Reactor it is a pleasure to welcome Jason Bentley,  Music Supervisor for The Matrix Trilogy, Total Recall, Beetlejuice, The Gladiator, Tron are just a few.  When Jason was 18,  on holiday in Europe and the UK, early Acid House changed his life His pioneering DJ evangelism paved the way IN the USA for a whole new generation to absorb his love of Electronic music of all genres through his KRCW shows.  I first had the pleasure of meeting  Jason when I was working on The Matrix Reloaded. GUEST BIO: Jason Bentley is a Music Director, Supervisor, Curator and DJ, known for his involvement in radio and film such as The Matrix Reloaded (2003), Total Recall (1990) and TRON: Legacy (2010). GUEST LINK: https://www.instagram.com/thejasonbentley/ Produced by Kenji Productions - www.kenjiproductions.com Discover more at: www.junoreactor.com

Welcome to "Inside The Juno Reactor" Podcast Episode 6: Youth - Tales of a maverick musician - Grammy Producer SYNOPSIS: This week inside the Juno Reactor it is a pleasure to welcome Martin Glover aka YOUTH. An old friend who talks about the early days of punk &  his formation of Killing Joke) a mentor to so many artists involved in the beginning of Goa Trance, Ott, Simon Posford, Raja Ram, Tip records... A modern-day Renaissance man a painter, a poet, singer-songwriter & producer of Paul McCartney, Pink Floyd, Taj Mahal adding Grammies to his already cluttered shelf of awards. Behind the gongs is a funny intelligent man who, in this episode, also explains the art of the producer. GUEST BIO: Martin Glover, known by his stage name Youth, is a record producer and a founding member and bassist of Killing Joke. He is a member of The Fireman, along with Paul McCartney.  GUEST LINK: https://www.instagram.com/youth_martin/ Produced by Kenji Productions - www.kenjiproductions.com Discover more at: www.junoreactor.com

Welcome to "Inside The Juno Reactor" Podcast Episode 5: Taz Alexander - Vocalist, the Matrix to Man Down, JR's secret weapon SYNOPSIS: Ben Watkins first heard Taz’z voice when remixing the Sun Kings, and asked if she could come & do some sessions. They worked for about 15 yrs on stage, albums and films. The Matrix Reloaded, Animatrix, and Once Upon A Time In Mexico, as well as singing on Shango, Labyrinth, and Gods & Monsters Juno Reactor albums.  With a recent recording, a track called “Man Down” (unreleased) Ben and Taz have started working together again. GUEST BIO: Taz Alexander is a British singer who has worked and performed with with Juno Reactor, Alpha-X, Sin e, Christy Moore, Steeleye Span, Taj Mahal, John Otway and Van Morrison. GUEST LINK: https://www.instagram.com/mstmania Produced by Kenji Productions - www.kenjiproductions.com Discover more at: www.junoreactor.com

Welcome to "Inside The Juno Reactor" Podcast Episode 4: BLiSS - How to become a Psytrance God Psytrance Producer & Remixer (Juno Reactor, Ace Ventura, Infected Mushroom) SYNOPSIS: Juno Reactor & BLiSS First conversation,  discuss his Navras Remix, as well as the previous remixes ("Guillotine" & "Ingonyama"), his background/experience, music instruments,  hardware, influences, and the impact of having a family and kids over creativity. GUEST BIO: BLiSS is a music producer from Israel, who became a big name in the psytrance subgenre with the release of his hit debut album The Rhythmus Gene (2005). Some of his most popular tracks include “My LSD Song,” “The Skeleton Dance”, “Goash 101”. GUEST LINK: https://www.instagram.com/bliss_music/ Produced by Kenji Productions - www.kenjiproductions.com Discover more at: www.junoreactor.com

Welcome to "Inside The Juno Reactor" Podcast Episode 3: Steve Stevens - "Pistolero" Guitarist, Billy Idol, Micheal Jackson, JR SYNOPSIS: Juno Reactor & Steve Stevens talk about his current projects with Billy Idol, his collaboration with Juno Reactor ("Pistolero", "Hotaka", unreleased music, The Matrix Reloaded's "Burly Brawl", playing with Amampondo), guitar techniques & Flamenco, his background and experience in the Music Industry (Quincy Jones, Micheal Jackson, Top Gun, Vince Neil) GUEST BIO: Steve Stevens is one of the most original guitarists to emerge from the ’80s rock scene, best known for his long partnership with Billy Idol, his work with Michael Jackson, “Dirty Diana”, Grammy Award-winning performance on “Top Gun Anthem”, and working with Juno Reactor. GUEST LINK: linktr.ee/SteveStevensGtr Produced by Kenji Productions - www.kenjiproductions.com Discover more at: www.junoreactor.com

Welcome to "Inside The Juno Reactor" Podcast Episode 2: EL AMIR - Flamenco Guitarist for Hans Zimmer & JR SYNOPSIS: Juno Reactor & EL AMIR talk about EL AMIR's roots and background as a guitar and oud player, Flamenco & Paco de Lucía, his journey as a musician working with Juno Reactor, Hans Zimmer (World of Hans Zimmer), and Radio Tarifa, composition and his work in the film industry on titles such as "No Time To Die".   GUEST BIO: Amir John Haddad - EL AMIR is a German-Spanish flamenco guitarist and multi-instrumentalist. He was the official oud, bouzouki, and guitar player for Radio Tarifa for almost ten years and in that role received a nomination for Best Folk Album at the Latin Grammy Awards of 2004. He plays and toured with Hans Zimmer, Juno Reactor, and Marcus Miller among many. GUEST LINK: www.amirjohnhaddad.com/en/ Produced by Kenji Productions - www.kenjiproductions.com Discover more at: www.junoreactor.com

Welcome to "Inside The Juno Reactor" Podcast  Episode 1: Zig (Music Editor for The Matrix, Spider-Man) SYNOPSIS: Juno Reactor & Zig talk about Zig's background as a Music Editor, his involvement in The Matrix, and how they collaborated together on The Matrix sequels, "Reloaded" & "Revolutions", majorly focusing on "Revolution" final credits track, "Navras".   GUEST BIO: Zigmund "Zig" Gron is known for his work on The Matrix (1999), Spider-Man (2002) and Star Trek: Nemesis (2002).  GUEST LINK: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0343065/   Produced by Kenji Productions - www.kenjiproductions.com   Discover more at: https://www.junoreactor.com  

Welcome to "Inside The Juno Reactor" Podcast. In these series of episodes, Ben has the pleasure to chat with Juno Reactor members, people whom he's collaborated with, that influenced or inspired him, or that he simply met along his journey.  You'll hear stories about Juno Reactor albums, external collaborations, The Matrix, production talks, touring, and experiences around the world. Stay tuned and subscribe to discover the Inside of Juno Reactor. Produced by Kenji Productions - www.kenjiproductions.com