Biography
Zaimie
Zaimie are Zaidi Kiggundu (aka Ziggy Funk) &Jamie McShane
Zaidi Kiggundu aka Ziggy Funk
Hailing from London, England, multi-instrumentalist Ziggy Funk has for many years been involved with music. He never had the stereotypical upbringing of a musical family; it was merely his curiosity which brought him to where he is today. Picking up and learning the guitar at a young age was his first taste of his journey, to which led him to play in numerous bands. This also allowed him to incorporate different styles from Funk, hip-hop, jazz, blues and world music in his repertoire. Ziggy’s Musical journey led towards Dance music, always loving the sound of house it was only till later in life Ziggy began to really settle and refine his skills as a producer and DJ. Playing at many great venues such the ‘Roundhouse’ in Camden, ‘Big chill’ festival, the Legendary Soul Heaven night and the well-known East Village club in London and as well as residency for Deep Into Soul which is one of the premiere House nights in London.
In 2011 Ziggy released 'Everyday' with musical partner, Taliwa under the mighty Foliage label which received a great reception from the house community. The duo then went on and wrote another smash ‘What You Afraid’ which was released under the legendary DJ Spen’s label, Quantize recordings which also had support from one of the pioneers of house, Louie Vega. Ziggy has also released works under Defected, Soul Heaven,Tony records, Limestone recordings, Room Control records, Play It Down, MN2S and more. In 2014 Ziggy's started a new ventures with successful producer and DJ, Neil Pierce of Fanatix/Soul heaven which includes a label which is also named after their collaborative guise 'Rhemi'. The two have numerous original/remix work under the moniker working with the likes of Joey Negro, Louie Vega, Opolopo, Kele Le Roc and others.
Never fully content, Ziggy is always pushing forward and trying to move the boundaries within himself. Yes, sure dance music is where he made a name for himself but he has always kept his fingers in other genres and tried to be free with musical expression. His ‘Red light Syndrome’ EP released in 2016 on BBE records showed his versatility and dynamic vibe. This was later followed by his debut album ‘Boxer’s Fracture’ that applied all his musical diversity in full for all to hear and to see where the future could take the sound for Ziggy.
2018 brought in a new era and the birth of ‘What Is Hip?’ Recordings. This label is a platform for Ziggy and other artists to explore sounds and have a place to be free with expression. Founded by Ziggy Funk himself, the label has a strong future and holds its own in a very busy music industry. All this energy and appreciation for music lives deep within Ziggy and you can always expect awesome quality from him be it through his production, DJ performances and the record label.
Jamie McShane
Jamie McShane (also known as Difusion)…. an artist and Dj and a huge connoisseur of black music.
Jamie got into the music he loves when he was 10 yrs old.... He was visiting his sister…His sister was married to ‘Bluey’ the front man of Incognito.
Bluey was playing guitar and Paul “Tubbs” Williams was playing bass in the living room, they were in the process of writing the first Incognito album (Jazz/Funk)
He can remember sitting watching and listening thinking “What is this sound?” especially the sound Tubbs was making from the bass.
He asked Bluey ‘What is this?’, ‘Slapping the bass' came the reply......... From then on Bluey would always take Jamie to the studio and as Jamie got older he would go on tour with them.
Around about sixteen Bluey let Jamie hear The Headhunters album and that was it for Jamie!
This album had it all for Jamie and really got him into Jazz/Funk.
He also remembers going to Club 9 when he was 17 or 18yrs and hearing Yogi Haughton play some awesome shit but the track that got Jamie asking questions was Big Daddy Kane -“Warm it up Kane”, that was when he knew he was into hip hop because Hip Hop is basically Funk loops with someone rapping over them.
People that influenced Jamie include-
Bluey – he became like a father figure and would always take him to his recording sessions and Incognito tours.
Colin ‘Sid’ Wilson – because of the time they spent together collecting records and building their first studio (The Sugar Shack)
Yogi Haughton- He moved to Jamie’s home town Wishaw when he was about 19yrs, he was another one who took Jamie under his wing and let him hear more rare grooves and underground ‘Bizness’.
Daniel Maunick, Jamies nephew but more like his older brother….. a Jedi of the game!
When he was 21yrs old he became friends with Colin ‘Sid’ Wilson AKA ‘Sid The Funky Kid’ ….both of them bought Technics 1210’s, (still the best thing they ever bought)
Jamie and Sid then built their first studio known as the infamous “Sugar Shack” in the mid 90’s...
They bought studio gear and started making their own tunes along side Difusion member Daniel Maunick Aka “Dokta Venom” the released their first Difusion 12″ on their own label “Straight Talk Records” followed by two other 12′ on Far out Records and Solaria records (Bluey Sings on one track).
Sid and Jamie became inseparable… every day was spent in the studio and every weekend they were off buying records to play or sample…two Beat junkies and great friends doing what they love!!
Jamie has been producing and writing with some great artists including Garfield Fleming, Mark IV, Preacherman and co wrote/produced the track 'Illusions' on Daniel Maunicks fantastic album 'Persistence' as well as working closely with Ant Thomaz on their Hip Hop project ‘Lou Scot’
The vibe is always going to be to bring all the influences from all genres of music…wicked drums, killer basslines, funky keys and horns
2022 saw Jamie complete two Jazz/funk, Boogie albums, one due for vinyl release on 'Far Out' records in 2023 was co written and produced with Daniel Maunick and Zaidi Kiggundu.
The other due for vinyl release also in 2023 under the Name ‘Zaimie’, titled 'Fortuitous' on 'Splash Music Production' was written and produced with Zaidi Kiggundu.
All instruments for both albums were recorded at The Sugar Shack Studio in Carluke Scotland.
ZAIMIE
In the summer of 2016, two musical forces, Zaidi Kiggundu (Ziggy Funk) and Jamie Mcshane met at a music festival. Through a mutual friend and appreciation for Funk, Jazz and Soul music, the pair knew they would have to collaborate on a project together. Zaidi and Jamie both having music careers in their own right, colliding the two musical worlds would sure be interesting to hear. Jamie a DJ/Producer and Zaidi a Musician/Producer, both of them are well versed in the music industry. They have contributed a diverse catalogue to their individual scenes, as well as running music labels in their own right.
In the first instance of a few demo sessions at Jamie’s studio in Scotland. The pair rustled up the bare bones of their debut album ‘Fortuitous’. A funked up Jazz, Soul album with modern day sensibility thrown in for good measure. The album also feels like an homage to the classic albums of the hay day, which the duo are passionate about. Although the Album took a while to make, due to scheduling issues and not to mention the dreaded covid disaster. The both of them never lost sight of finishing the project and held the helm to completion. With help of top class musicians on horns Ewan Mains, Konrad Wisniewski, James Steele. The ‘Fortuitus’ stands up to its mission of providing solid grooves and interesting arrangements for people to hear. So much so that the team at Splash Music Productions jumped at the project and now, what was a chance encounter many years ago with a few simple ideas. Is now ready to be released to the world for all to hear.
Zaidi Kiggundu aka Ziggy Funk
Hailing from London, England, multi-instrumentalist Ziggy Funk has for many years been involved with music. He never had the stereotypical upbringing of a musical family; it was merely his curiosity which brought him to where he is today. Picking up and learning the guitar at a young age was his first taste of his journey, to which led him to play in numerous bands. This also allowed him to incorporate different styles from Funk, hip-hop, jazz, blues and world music in his repertoire. Ziggy’s Musical journey led towards Dance music, always loving the sound of house it was only till later in life Ziggy began to really settle and refine his skills as a producer and DJ. Playing at many great venues such the ‘Roundhouse’ in Camden, ‘Big chill’ festival, the Legendary Soul Heaven night and the well-known East Village club in London and as well as residency for Deep Into Soul which is one of the premiere House nights in London.
In 2011 Ziggy released 'Everyday' with musical partner, Taliwa under the mighty Foliage label which received a great reception from the house community. The duo then went on and wrote another smash ‘What You Afraid’ which was released under the legendary DJ Spen’s label, Quantize recordings which also had support from one of the pioneers of house, Louie Vega. Ziggy has also released works under Defected, Soul Heaven,Tony records, Limestone recordings, Room Control records, Play It Down, MN2S and more. In 2014 Ziggy's started a new ventures with successful producer and DJ, Neil Pierce of Fanatix/Soul heaven which includes a label which is also named after their collaborative guise 'Rhemi'. The two have numerous original/remix work under the moniker working with the likes of Joey Negro, Louie Vega, Opolopo, Kele Le Roc and others.
Never fully content, Ziggy is always pushing forward and trying to move the boundaries within himself. Yes, sure dance music is where he made a name for himself but he has always kept his fingers in other genres and tried to be free with musical expression. His ‘Red light Syndrome’ EP released in 2016 on BBE records showed his versatility and dynamic vibe. This was later followed by his debut album ‘Boxer’s Fracture’ that applied all his musical diversity in full for all to hear and to see where the future could take the sound for Ziggy.
2018 brought in a new era and the birth of ‘What Is Hip?’ Recordings. This label is a platform for Ziggy and other artists to explore sounds and have a place to be free with expression. Founded by Ziggy Funk himself, the label has a strong future and holds its own in a very busy music industry. All this energy and appreciation for music lives deep within Ziggy and you can always expect awesome quality from him be it through his production, DJ performances and the record label.
Jamie McShane
Jamie McShane (also known as Difusion)…. an artist and Dj and a huge connoisseur of black music.
Jamie got into the music he loves when he was 10 yrs old.... He was visiting his sister…His sister was married to ‘Bluey’ the front man of Incognito.
Bluey was playing guitar and Paul “Tubbs” Williams was playing bass in the living room, they were in the process of writing the first Incognito album (Jazz/Funk)
He can remember sitting watching and listening thinking “What is this sound?” especially the sound Tubbs was making from the bass.
He asked Bluey ‘What is this?’, ‘Slapping the bass' came the reply......... From then on Bluey would always take Jamie to the studio and as Jamie got older he would go on tour with them.
Around about sixteen Bluey let Jamie hear The Headhunters album and that was it for Jamie!
This album had it all for Jamie and really got him into Jazz/Funk.
He also remembers going to Club 9 when he was 17 or 18yrs and hearing Yogi Haughton play some awesome shit but the track that got Jamie asking questions was Big Daddy Kane -“Warm it up Kane”, that was when he knew he was into hip hop because Hip Hop is basically Funk loops with someone rapping over them.
People that influenced Jamie include-
Bluey – he became like a father figure and would always take him to his recording sessions and Incognito tours.
Colin ‘Sid’ Wilson – because of the time they spent together collecting records and building their first studio (The Sugar Shack)
Yogi Haughton- He moved to Jamie’s home town Wishaw when he was about 19yrs, he was another one who took Jamie under his wing and let him hear more rare grooves and underground ‘Bizness’.
Daniel Maunick, Jamies nephew but more like his older brother….. a Jedi of the game!
When he was 21yrs old he became friends with Colin ‘Sid’ Wilson AKA ‘Sid The Funky Kid’ ….both of them bought Technics 1210’s, (still the best thing they ever bought)
Jamie and Sid then built their first studio known as the infamous “Sugar Shack” in the mid 90’s...
They bought studio gear and started making their own tunes along side Difusion member Daniel Maunick Aka “Dokta Venom” the released their first Difusion 12″ on their own label “Straight Talk Records” followed by two other 12′ on Far out Records and Solaria records (Bluey Sings on one track).
Sid and Jamie became inseparable… every day was spent in the studio and every weekend they were off buying records to play or sample…two Beat junkies and great friends doing what they love!!
Jamie has been producing and writing with some great artists including Garfield Fleming, Mark IV, Preacherman and co wrote/produced the track 'Illusions' on Daniel Maunicks fantastic album 'Persistence' as well as working closely with Ant Thomaz on their Hip Hop project ‘Lou Scot’
The vibe is always going to be to bring all the influences from all genres of music…wicked drums, killer basslines, funky keys and horns
2022 saw Jamie complete two Jazz/funk, Boogie albums, one due for vinyl release on 'Far Out' records in 2023 was co written and produced with Daniel Maunick and Zaidi Kiggundu.
The other due for vinyl release also in 2023 under the Name ‘Zaimie’, titled 'Fortuitous' on 'Splash Music Production' was written and produced with Zaidi Kiggundu.
All instruments for both albums were recorded at The Sugar Shack Studio in Carluke Scotland.
ZAIMIE
In the summer of 2016, two musical forces, Zaidi Kiggundu (Ziggy Funk) and Jamie Mcshane met at a music festival. Through a mutual friend and appreciation for Funk, Jazz and Soul music, the pair knew they would have to collaborate on a project together. Zaidi and Jamie both having music careers in their own right, colliding the two musical worlds would sure be interesting to hear. Jamie a DJ/Producer and Zaidi a Musician/Producer, both of them are well versed in the music industry. They have contributed a diverse catalogue to their individual scenes, as well as running music labels in their own right.
In the first instance of a few demo sessions at Jamie’s studio in Scotland. The pair rustled up the bare bones of their debut album ‘Fortuitous’. A funked up Jazz, Soul album with modern day sensibility thrown in for good measure. The album also feels like an homage to the classic albums of the hay day, which the duo are passionate about. Although the Album took a while to make, due to scheduling issues and not to mention the dreaded covid disaster. The both of them never lost sight of finishing the project and held the helm to completion. With help of top class musicians on horns Ewan Mains, Konrad Wisniewski, James Steele. The ‘Fortuitus’ stands up to its mission of providing solid grooves and interesting arrangements for people to hear. So much so that the team at Splash Music Productions jumped at the project and now, what was a chance encounter many years ago with a few simple ideas. Is now ready to be released to the world for all to hear.