Creamy Goodness is the brainchild of Irish songwriter and producer Eamon Cooke. As a DJ, the man from Moate in County Westmeath started producing his own drum and bass and house tracks to drop in his sets. Cooke started leaning towards soul, funk and jazz and began writing Jazzy soul and R&B tunes, which he developed into the Creamy Goodness sound.

With a line up of some of Irelands best R&B musicians in the collective outfit, Creamy Goodness play a diverse array of hip hop grooves, jazz harmony, synths, flute and a huge brass sound. The live show packs in guest MC's and breakdancers to create a great event.

Eamon talks to Scruff Daddy about his self produced EP, the Creamy Goodness sound and his background in music.

How did you get into music?

My two older brothers were musicians. I wanted to play because of their influence. I then picked up a bass guitar because I thought it was easier than playing a 6-string guitar, which I soon realised, was completely ridiculous. I was rehearsing with some friends and I asked them to show me how to play about a girl by Nirvana on the guitar, and I picked it up very quickly. I soon realised that I could do more with 6 strings as opposed to 4 strings.

My ear started to gradually stray away from the rock stuff and I started getting into more experimental music. When I heard "Brown Paper Bag" by Roni Size it blew me away. It was so complex and rhythmically interesting and I had to figure out how this music was played. I soon realised it was not played, but was programmed and that inspired me to get into mixing Drum n Bass.

What influences you when writing?

Lots of things! I can be influenced anywhere by anything. Usually somewhere by myself like in the car driving. The music for a song can start from a drum groove that I hear in my head. It can come from a bass line, or it can come from a melody. I just try to hear the other instruments that go with what I am hearing in my head. Soon as I think I have something good ill write it down or programme the music into the computer and develop the idea from there.

Lyrically I am mostly influenced by what I have to deal with personally and the people around me. "Inside I'm Still Dancing" was wrote about how my friend and her family went through the loss of their Mother. It was a very rough time for them and I was inspired by the way they dealt with the situation. Lyrics are very important. They form the raw material that a good song needs.

Who are your influences?

Their are so many! At the moment I am listening to a lot of jazz. Wayne Shorter and John Abercrombie the American jazz guitarist are on my play list at the moment. But as regards groove music I just discovered Earth, Wind and Fire over Christmas. Their use of groove and harmony is complex, but does not scare. Its really amazing stuff. I also listen to a lot of Brazilian music. But if I were to name three artists that have influenced me as a musician to date, they would be Sepultura, Roni Size and Incognito.

How did you go from house and drum and bass to the funk and jazz sound you now Play?

I started out at the rock thing and then discovered electronic music. I did not really know what soul/funk music was until I got more and more into the Dj thing. A lot of the records I was buying had Jazz chords or harmony and would have these strong grooves underneath. I found myself going back in time with the music and discovering all this 70’s groove music. I just was not exposed to this stuff where I grew up.

I then realised I wanted to write this music so I decided to learn how to play the guitar, compose and arrange properly. I did this by doing a degree in Jazz music, which I have just completed. With a combination of listening to lots of music and developing my craft as a “tradesman” I gradually made the switch from Deep House to the live sound I am into now.

How does producing house tracks compare to producing music in a band?

In some ways it’s harder and some ways it’s easier. It’s easier to produce music by yourself at your computer. You don’t have to deal with the human factor of organising everything and everyone for rehearsals, writing out charts etc. But its also the human factor that you don’t get when your making music with the computer. They are both 2 completely different feels.

The more I write music for the group, the more I enjoy it. Its an amazing feeling when you hear all the music you have put on to a piece of paper come together in a rehearsal room and then at a gig. I much prefer dealing with people. Although it’s very hard to find the right people.

How was the recording process for the EP?

The initial recordings, which were mostly drums, were done in studio in Roscommon with a musician that I knew from home called Willie Dunne. His background was mostly in country music but I knew from experience he had a very good ear and would not let any thing slide by me. The second stage was done in my own studio at home. I did the bass and keys and flute here.

The last stage was done in a studio in Wicklow run by Robin ball. I did the brass, vocals, guitars and all the final touches here. We got to editing and production here also. Robin finally mixed the tunes and I came in at the very end to make sure it was all cool and groovy.

I spent a lot of time trying to find the right musicians to play the music in the studio. A lot of guys who said they could play actually couldn’t play this kind of music. After I sorted that problem out I could push getting the music done. The recording process was done in a few different places at different stages. Sometimes I had to wait weeks to get the right guy for the job but I held out to make sure it was done right.

Was there alot of collaboration with different musicians?

There were loads of different guys. The main guy I work with is a bass player called Adam Taylor. He has been with me from day one and I could not actually see not having him in the band. He is an exceptional musician and groove machine.

Most of the keys and pianos were done by Podge Kilbride from drumcondra. I went through 4 drummers before finding the write guy in the end. Im a bit of a dictator so things could slow down a lot at some stages just to get the arrangement perfect. Although im my head they are never 100%.

Who did the artwork?

A good friend of mine from Westmeath Kieran Larkin. Kieran is a real artist. He is very complex in ways. Especially when trying to get him to finish the job. But he came good in the end. The busy cd artwork is supposed to resemble different aspects of life and death. And also the busy arrangements of the music.

How is your sound received by audiences?

The live show is really important to us. It’s definitely where I really get to express myself. I am very passionate about the gig being one big arrangement and I think this comes across at the shows. I think Creamy G appeals to a lot of people because of the level of creative/technical musicianship where the arrangement plays a huge part and also because of the songwriting.

Does Ireland have Soul?

Ireland is riddled with soul. We have some of the best and most prolific songwriters in the world in my opinion. We are very passionate about our music, poetry and art.

There is definitely something happening in the Soul music scene. I started writing soul tunes a few years back and at that time there was only a handful of groups doing it. But now there seems to be a new vibe going on, especially in Dublin.

New Bands writing original soul tunes like the candidates, Mob fandango, Stee Downs and a great band up in Belfast called The Northern Ireland Soul Troop, are all trying to break the boundaries of the pop scene in this country.

What's your opinion of the music scene in Ireland at the moment?

I love what the Bodytonic and Choice Cuts guys are doing within the alternative music scene. They bring over some great acts from all over the world.

But I see so many amazing guys in this country playing music they don’t want to play. Musicians are straying away from why they got into playing music in the first place. When I see these creative souls stray away from what their whole being is all about and not using their god given talents, it annoys me.

Lots of great guys end up in wedding bands, which I have nothing against because I have done myself. It’s probably the worst work I could do as a composer/songwriter, playing other peoples music. I feel terrible after those gigs. It's not very rock n roll but this is the reality of the situation. Its real bread and butter shit but you have to make an income. If I did not have the Creamy G thing I would be very lost.

What are the plans for the future?

My plans are simple. Write and record music. At the moment I have 2 albums of music waiting to be put down to tape, but unfortunately for me I am trying to make this music with little funding. I hope to get some funding before the end of the summer and finish my album and gig the hell out of it.

I am working with a Rapper/producer called Rawsoul at the moment and I'm looking forward to what he comes up with. Im looking forward to what’s going to happen next for Creamy Goodness. Maybe I might go into politics….then again.

Check it: www.myspace.com/creamygoodnessmusic