The Third Degree with Lenny Kravitz

David Williams

Wednesday, June 9, 1999 | 3:05 a.m.

This article first appeared on Sept. 16, 1998.

Cranking out his trademark kaleidoscope of sound, Lenny Kravitz is back and as funky as ever with his newest album 5. Arguably some of his best work to date, the self-produced album cuts a wide path through an eclectic spectrum of American music. The half-Jewish, half-Bahamian son of TV producer Sy Kravitz and actress Roxie Roker (Helen on The Jeffersons) is himself an interesting study in diversity. Always dressing the part and armed with guitar riffs that would make Jimmy Hendrix proud, Lenny is Rock Star to the core. Without a doubt, he's sure to set fans at The Joint into an all-night groove Sept. 20. Recently returned from a European publicity tour, Kravitz took a break from a backup vocal rehearsal in New York to brave The Third Degree.

Where do you find your inspiration when you write songs?

Kravitz: Just life. I live life. Some people write in a diary. I write music. I don't do anything to get inspired, I just live. You live, and things happen.

2. Do you find there are certain times of your life that generate more material than others?

Kravitz: No. It's always there, thank God, because life is always there, and experiences.

3. Speaking of life, how would you say your diverse heritage has formed who you are today?

Kravitz: Well, it has loads to do with it, just the mere fact that I grew up between two different cultures. I think it was a very rich way to grow up, because I didn't understand prejudice. I just learned at a very young age that we're all the same. And it was great. A lot of people in my position have had problems growing up like that. They're confused: Who am I? What am I? I don't really fit anywhere. But I didn't have that problem.

4. Your music reflects that same ability to adjust and combine the best elements of your surroundings. What sources does it draw from?

Kravitz: It definitely is rooted in rock 'n' roll, soul, gospel and so forth--R &B and jazz. You know, I shouldn't even start. If you listen to my records you'll hear all kinds of styles. From country to reggae, it's all there. 5. How do you come across these styles? You obviously must be a great music lover yourself.

Kravitz: Yes. I grew up listening to all kinds of music and was fortunate enough to be exposed to that at a young age, going to see great artists and so forth.

6. You also grew up in a showbiz family. Were there any entertainers you or your parents knew who were a strong influence in your music career?

Kravitz: Oh ya, Miles Davis, Duke Ellington, people like that. There's loads, but those are two I can mention who left a great impression on me.

7. Have you ever been to Las Vegas before?

Kravitz: Yes.

8. What do you think about the city?

Kravitz: It's a weird place, man. But I like it. It's just very surreal. It's like Emerald City, Oz or something. But, you know, a lot of classic people have played here. The whole history is amazing of Vegas itself. I'd like to put on a tuxedo and go play one of the old rooms, be like Wayne Newton or something.

9. What do you think of Tom Jones doing a cover of "Are You Gonna Go My Way?"

Kravitz: That was the shit, man. He tore my ass up. I love that. He's a great guy. I got to produce that, so it was a lot of fun.

10. Any chance you'd get onstage with Tom Jones?

Kravitz: I did in Japan once. He came from the airport and came straight to my show. It was great.

11. You're a very fashion-oriented rock star. How would you define the Lenny Kravitz look?

Kravitz: I couldn't tell you. I just do what I do. I don't think about it. So it's very difficult to say what it is, because I don't know what it is. You know what I mean? I just do what I feel. It's nothing I think about. It's just free. It's based very much on growing up around my mom in the early '70s. That's where it's rooted, in the clothing I saw her and her friends wearing.

12. How about your decision to go digital while recording 5 instead of analog as you have in the past?

Kravitz: There's a little misconception there. I did go digital, but I didn't go digital in the way people think. I still used analog equipment. I still used my tube equipment--all those wonderful compressors and microphone preamplifiers and so forth. But I used a digital hard drive instead of tape. So it wasn't like a digital board with digital everything. It was just there was no tape involved in the process.

13. People seem to have a hard time categorizing your music. It tends to transcend any particular style. So how would you define your music?

Kravitz: I wouldn't. I can't. It's just my music, and it comes from my soul and it comes from my experiences. And that's it.