Phil Weeks
A Paris producer with a Chicago accent: Phil Weeks, his label Robsoul Recordings, the drum machines behind his records and the artists he signed, from DJ Sneak to Derrick Carter.
- French DJ and producer based in Paris, founder of Robsoul Recordings.
- Early Robsoul tracks “Yeah I Like It” and “It Put Me Well” quickly became club favourites.
- His sound mixes old-school Chicago house with a French flair, from deep to tech house.
Phil Weeks makes Chicago house from Paris. Since around 2001 his label, Robsoul Recordings, has released jacking, funky house by Weeks himself and by American names such as DJ Sneak, Derrick Carter and Mark Farina.
Robsoul, a label for his own tracks
Weeks started Robsoul Recordings around 2001, after a few years of DJing, as an outlet for his own productions. The name has no grand meaning: the “Rob” comes from Robbie Shakespeare, the bass player whose records he listened to. In 2011 he told 5 Magazine he wanted “just something that sounds great”.
His early Robsoul tracks, “Yeah I Like It” and “It Put Me Well”, became club favourites within a couple of months of release, according to his label biography. Once his own records took off, the label began signing others: Derrick Carter, DJ Sneak, David Duriez, Mark Farina, J.T. Donaldson, DJ W!ld and his childhood friend Joss Moog, with whom he started making music in 1998.
Machines and influences
Weeks builds his records on 808, 909 and 606 drum machines and vintage keys, which gives them a 1990s sound. He has named Spencer Kincy, aka Gemini, as an influence, and Robsoul released a Tribute EP of four tracks licensed from Kincy’s Cyclo catalogue. Reviewing his single “All Day Every Day” (Robsoul, November 2010), Resident Advisor summed up his records as “always jacking, always funky, rarely cornball”.
Albums, residencies and the digital years
His LP Love Affair came out at the turn of 2011, with remixes announced from DJ Sneak, Sonny Fodera and D’Julz. He has also run an online show, Phil Weeks Presents Underground Chronicles, with interviews and studio footage, and has held a residency at the Rex Club in Paris. By 2011 he was frank about the vinyl market, telling 5 Magazine that “300 copies is not so bad these days”.
Paris connections
Weeks shared an early EP, First Step (2003), with Dan Ghenacia, another pillar of Paris house. For the Chicago records behind his sound, start with Steve “Silk” Hurley’s “Jack Your Body”.
FAQ
What label does Phil Weeks run?
Robsoul Recordings, which he started around 2001 as an outlet for his own tracks before signing artists such as Derrick Carter, DJ Sneak and David Duriez.
Where does the name Robsoul come from?
The “Rob” comes from bass player Robbie Shakespeare, whose music Weeks listened to. He has said he simply wanted a name that sounded great.
What equipment does Phil Weeks use?
His productions lean on 808, 909 and 606 drum machines and vintage keys, which give them a 1990s feel.
