Howie B is a musical jack of all trades. If his name is unfamiliar, his portfolio shouldn't be - his collaborators include U2, Brian Eno, Robbie Robertson, Ry Cooder, Annie Lennox and filmmaker Wim Wenders. However, these high-profile projects are just the most visible alliances in a career that has seen him work with some of the most cutting-edge figures in music such as New Order, Bjork, Tricky and Goldie. A producer/artist/DJ/label owner/remixer, Glasgow-born Howard Bernstein simply sees himself as a lover of music. 'From the age of seven I had a keen interest in the radio and listening to music, and it fired my imagination. I always saw myself from a young boy being involved in music in some way or another,' he says ahead of tomorrow's one-night-only show in Hong Kong. During the 1980s, Bernstein entered the industry as a studio hand to producer Neele Hopper. He explains: 'I started my career learning a skill in the studio by being an apprentice engineer. This was a practical and realistic way to enter the music business - and for me, the only way.' After deciding to go solo, Bernstein shot to prominence in the early to mid-90s. 'It was a brave leap,' says Bernstein. 'To go freelance in any profession is a big jump and it was one I was scared of, yet I knew I had to do.' He found an immediate audience through his work with acts like Bristol favourites Massive Attack and Soul II Soul. After starting his own label, Pussyfoot, in 1994, he released records under his own name as well as pseudonyms including Olde Scottish and DaddyLongLegs. Swiftly signed to prominent British trip-hop label Mo Wax, he joined stable mates DJ Shadow, U.N.K.L.E and Coldcut at the forefront of a global breakbeat renaissance. Moreover, his remixing work earned him a multi-album deal with Polydor Records. Bernstein is now one of the most sought-after producers in Britain, and a successful artist in his own right. Refreshingly, and unusually for a producer, Howie B wants to express himself through the studio rather than just pay the bills. A true sonic alchemist, Bernstein dabbles in all manner of experimentalism and dimensional soundscaping. Of his upcoming enterprises, he says: 'I've been working on a hip-hop project with Doom Man and on a groove rock project with a woman called Sei. Both are unsigned acts.' Nonetheless, life for Bernstein has changed since the birth of his daughter, Chilli. 'Things are no longer done tomorrow,' says the Scot. 'They are done today.' Being involved in so many high-profile alliances, Bernstein interestingly cites blues guitarist Ry Cooder as his personal favourite. Real Fight Round 1 featuring Howie B, tomorrow, midnight, 2/F Sun Hung Kai Centre, 30 Harbour Rd, Wan Chai. $130 (advance from HMV, What the Funk, Central, 2868 3307), $160 (door). Go to www.sense.com.hk
