Disco is dead. Say that to this artist and you might find yourself learning a little music history 101. Dimitri from Paris is considered disco’s top brass – a champion of the classics, forgotten dusty gems and modern disco influence since he began DJing over twenty years ago. Not only a figurehead for the genre, Dimitri has also become the force behind the Playboy DJ mixes. The newest is “Knights of Playboy” on Defected, a double release with Bob Sinclar featuring the likes of Tensnake and Darryl Pandy. Here, the real life Playboy explains disco’s impact throughout the years, inspirations for the newest mix, and yes…what Hef’s mansion is really like.
How did the Playboy mix series originally come to fruition?
In 1998 I was playing at a French “Respect Is Burning” at WMC. The club, Groovejet, had Playboy already involved. After the party being so successful, Playboy offered us to throw one at the Mansion for the launch of my next album. As I didn’t have anything ready anytime soon, we suggested to do a specific one for the occasion. Hence came “A Night At The Playboy Mansion” in 1999, the first in the series.
Where did the inspiration for this mix’s direction come from?
I had already done four Playboy mix CDs that were very rooted in the 70’s disco sound. This time I wanted to move forward in time and focus on how disco evolved into house music and what was its legacy in today’s electronic dance music.
I’ve heard rumor you’ve actually been knighted by the French government. Is that why the album is called “Knights Of Playboy”?
True fact. I was given the very official distinction of “Knight of the Arts and Letters”, which rewards world known artists. Since Bob and me have also been championing music, it seemed like a right title.
You’ve always been a champion of disco and your Playboy mixes are reflections and interpretations of the genre in different times – how do you feel about where disco is now?
Disco is really the mother of house music, which in turn developed into so many sub-genres. The basic 4/4 kick and open hi hat drum pattern comes from disco and you hear it on 99% of house and techno tracks. So it’s sill there today, even more so with the current nu-disco scene, which is influenced by the transitional period between disco and house. This is very much the theme of my new Playboy mix.
How did you and Sinclar work together on the mix?
We discussed what we would do, in order for our mixes to be complementary. Then we each did ours without trying to influence each other in order to keep the result fresh and spontaneous.
Tell me the best thing about the Playboy mansion.
Nobody believes me, but the best thing is the actual house and how it’s decorated in actual 60’s vintage post-modern style. It feels like the home of James Bond (and I’m talking Sean Connery 60’s Bond).
Where do you envision taking the Playboy mansion series? Will there be more?
The Playboy series is something that has helped me push music that usually stays in the underground. Because most people can relate to the brand they are more open to hear sounds that might feel unusual to them. Yet, the music is highly accessible and the long-term success of previous releases keeps me coming back at championing music that is out of the beaten charts.
What do you think it means to be a Playboy?
The quintessential Playboy is Hugh Hefner, he is interested in all things artistic and beautiful and is curious to learn new things and share them with the others. He used the sex angle that all men could understand to offer them much more and make them better persons towards their partners. It’s never been about quantity, but quality.
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[...] Deahl interviews Dimitri from Paris for URB and talks about the New “Knights Of Playboy” Mix Knights Of The Playboy Mansion by Defected [...]