Steppin Out Records

It began in 1979 when a guy call Mitch of Mitchelanous Discos worked in a Pub I had lease for in Leith. I was Edinburgh's youngest Licensee at the time I Had a wee shot of his Disco and caught the bug, Mitch got me going. I moved on Disco wise to work with Rainbow Heart discos in Gorebridge with Jimmy Rainbow, he taught me all there was in entertaining at weddings and birthday parties, there not easy you know.

From there I got working via rainbow Heat in a couple of Edinburgh's Clubs at the time and was resident in Annabels in Tollcross. I then moved to Dalkeith working in a couple of local type clubs and for someone who was to end up owning Outer Limits in Edinburgh. I moved there with them and was the Entertainments manager.

Booking all the big acts Pa's and so on what a hoot that was. It gave me the experience to eventually have my own club having been asked by the bank to go in a run for them the Calton studios, Edinburgh's first 'rave' and all night venue. What an experience that was. At the same time I had the lease to The Music Box I Victoria street and ran Live music there, the Radio Forth concerts and so on.

I then bought ZEN in Dalkeith 3 years in a row the "Best Small club in the UK" awards. This was due to the likes of Carl Cox and TTF all playing there because we had them in the Calton studios. Great days. I was quite a DJ then also. I taught Tom Wilson how to mix back then because his Dance Show started and it took off. I managed him then and also produced Steppin Out. I worked At Radio Forth in the background of Transistor Boogie a Soul and funk show as well.

Then Came Steppin Out Records. What a journey. 10 dance number 1 hits 5 national top 40 hits it was crazy.

Steppin Out came from the dance Show at the time but in no way was Tom involved other than me writing and producing a couple of tracks for him along with Bobby Heatlie. Tom was really never in the studio. However along came Love 4 Sale an Anthem even today. Most thought it was Italian. Italian was big at the time so with the help of an Italian record label partner “Do you Feel So Right" still puts the hair up on my neck.

Next DJ Scott “Do You Wanna Party” with my mate Carl Cox doing some mixes eventually signed to Mike Stock and Matt Aitken top 30 hit. Tom Wilson “Technocat” came along this was the one Dance like Your dad mix went ballistic in Ibiza and across Europe. DJ Scott had a second top 30 with Stock & Aitken “Sweet Dreams” it just kept going from there.

Did the Djing, Production, Promoting come 1st
Djing

Which other countries have you played/put parties on?
Ireland, Hong Kong, Bangkok, all over Australia, Belgium, Germany, Holland, France, Switzerland, Ibiza.
 
What was the first event you ever played at/put on?
Harmony Northern Ireland
 
What’s the best event you’ve played at/put on?
Harmony Northern Ireland
 
What was your first record you bought?
Beatles “I wanna hold your Hand”
 
Out of all the tunes you have, which one ‘never fails?’
Gat Décor “Passion”
 
What's you favourite tune of all time?
Last Rhythm’s “Last Rhythm
 
Where do you live?
Whitecraig, East Lothian
 
Other DJs you rate?
Carl Cox, Filo & Peri, Tiesto,

What are your feelings on the MC's?
Can make or break the night

What do you do outside of the dance music scene?
Run a mini Bus and taxi Company

What advice would you give to up and coming DJs/Promoters?
Don’t forget all you meet on the way up you meet them again on the way down. Keep your feet on the ground

When you play is this pre planned set?
Never

When was the 1st time you visited Ibiza? Was it to holiday or to play?
Both

If you could stage a rave anywhere, where would you choose?
Northern Ireland

Ian Robertson
ian@jtrobertson.co.uk