Ivan Neville

CRESCENT CITY SCION

What music are you currently grooving to?

A friend of mine – myself and Mr Jon Cleary do a little playing together, I’ve been digging on some of those cuts. Also on my record player right now is Stevie Wonder’s Talking Book, which is an absolute classic, and I’ve also been checking out the Black Pumas. I kind of dig their sound a little bit.

What, if push comes to shove, is your all-time favourite album?

Oh man, I have several – Songs In The Key Of Life, Stevie Wonder, What’s Going On, Marvin Gaye, That’s The Way Of The World by Earth, Wind & Fire… If I had to pick just one, it would probably be Songs In The Key Of Life. A lot of beautiful songs and timeless music.

What was the first record you ever bought? And where did you buy it?

The thing is, I had a lot of hand-medown records given to me by my dad and other family members – the early Specialty Records singles, Larry Williams, my mom’s sister had all the Beatles records… The first record I owned was Diana Ross Presents The Jackson 5. My mom bought it for me, I don’t remember which store it was.

Which musician, other than yourself, have you ever wanted to be?

As a kid I really liked the presence and delivery of Sly Stone. Sly & The Family Stone had a huge impact on me. I wouldn’t want to be him for other aspects of his life – I ended up going down some of those roads anyway, luckily, I came out alive! And I really liked what Jermaine Jackson was doing.

What do you sing in the shower?

I don’t. I may pray, and try and strengthen my spiritual connection.

What is your favourite Saturday night record?

The Ohio Players, Skin Tight. Heheh!

And your Sunday morning record? Aretha Franklin, Amazing Grace. Something like that. Dumpstaphunk’s Where Do We Go From Here is released on April 23.

“I don’t sing in the shower, I pray.” IVAN NEVILLE