AMAN UMBER REVISITS THE GOLDENERA OF HOUSE AND R&B WITH“FLASHBACK 88”

From '90s influences to analogue production, the Paris-based artist explores musical heritage, creative freedom and the evolution of his sound.

For Aman Umber, the past is not simply a source of nostalgia, but a foundation for new creative possibilities. With his latest release, Flashback 88, the French DJ and producer draws on the unmistakable energy of late-'90s and early-2000s house, hip-hop and R&B, reimagining their cultural influence through his own contemporary electronic sound.

From the analogue warmth of Paris's Providence Studio to the musical philosophy behind Telluric Village, the label he co-founded with Krol, Umber's approach is rooted in authenticity, experimentation and a deep appreciation for the artists who shaped his musical identity.

In this exclusive conversation with MITA Magazine, he reflects on the creative process behind Flashback 88, the importance of preserving a human touch in electronic music, his journey across genres and the artistic direction he is pursuing for 2027.

The Interview

1. “Flashback 88” draws inspiration from the golden era of hip-hop and R&B. What inspired you to revisit that period, and what does its musical legacy mean to you?

Exploring the connections between house, hip-hop and R&B, particularly from the late '90s and early 2000s, was one of the starting points for Telluric Village, the label I co-founded with Krol.

There was something incredibly powerful happening musically during that period. It was more than just a sound; it was an entire era with its own aesthetic, visual identity and cultural energy.

At Telluric Village, we constantly draw inspiration from that musical heritage. I also think it's important to recognise the women who played such a significant role in shaping hip-hop and R&B.

With Flashback 88, I wanted to celebrate that legacy and bring some of its energy into a new musical context. For me, it's about acknowledging the artists and voices that influenced generations of musicians, while showing respect for the culture that continues to inspire what we do today.

2. Your sound moves between '90s house, R&B and electro. How do you bring these different musical worlds together while maintaining your own artistic identity?

It feels quite natural to me because these genres have always been connected within my musical universe. I've never really approached music through strict genre boundaries.

What I love about '90s house is its groove and its ability to make people move. R&B brings something more emotional, melodic and sensual, while electro, particularly through the influence of the French Touch movement, gives me a certain attitude and creative freedom in production.

I think my identity comes from the way I combine these elements rather than trying to fit into one particular sound. I'm equally interested in a beautiful chord progression, a dirty bassline, a soulful vocal or a powerful drum machine pattern.

Ultimately, I'm always searching for that balance between music that makes you dance and music that makes you feel something.

3. You produced “Flashback 88” at Providence Studio in Paris, working with vintage instruments and analogue equipment. How important is preserving that organic, human element in your creative process?

It's extremely important. I love working with hardware because it creates a different relationship with music. I play keys and basslines, and sometimes record electric bass and guitar. I also avoid quantising everything because I want to preserve a human feel within my electronic compositions.

There's something unpredictable about analogue equipment that I really enjoy. Sometimes you discover a sound or texture you weren't expecting, and that can completely change the direction of a track.

Located in the heart of Paris, Providence Studio is one of my favourite places to make music. It's an incredibly well-designed space where everything works seamlessly.

While producing Flashback 88, I wanted to embrace that organic approach and give the track a more human feel. Ableton remains at the centre of my workflow, but I don't want everything to sound too perfect or overly quantised.

I believe music needs a little imperfection. That's often where its personality comes from.

4. From classical piano and jazz to London's rock scene, your musical journey spans very different worlds. How have these experiences shaped the artist you are today?

I started playing piano at the age of four, studying classical music before exploring jazz more deeply. That gave me a strong foundation in harmony, composition and musical structure.

Later, living in London and playing in an electro-rock band started by my dear friend Axel (Orava) opened up a completely different world. I discovered a more instinctive and energetic approach to music, where attitude and intention sometimes mattered more than technical perfection.

All these experiences are still very much present in what I do today. Performing live as part of Aline Umber, experimenting in the studio and developing new projects are what drive me most.

I love having the freedom to move between electronic production and playing music with other musicians.

I'm still exploring how to bring all these different sides of myself together into one cohesive musical identity.

5. Looking beyond “Flashback 88”, what's next for Aman Umber? What can we expect from you in 2027?

I'm really excited about what's coming next. I'm spending a lot of time in the studio at the moment, exploring new directions and pushing my sound and artistic identity further.

I want to develop a more personal approach to production, bringing together the influences that have shaped my musical taste while introducing a stronger songwriting dimension.

Playing internationally has always been a huge part of my journey, and I want to keep building those connections while incorporating more of my own productions into my performances.

2027 will be a year full of releases, but I don't want to put myself in a box or follow a particular formula.

I'm much more interested in creating my own story and sharing it with people through music.