With so much in the world to process these days, let’s just listen. Fight The Power, People.
EMMA-JEAN THACKRAY, “CRACK MAGAZINE SUNDAY MIX”
Emma-Jean Thackray wears many musical hats. Composer, producer, multi-instrumentalist, singer, bandleader, and DJ, she can put in work with the London Symphony Orchestra and host a most eclectic show on her Worldwide FM time slot, putting on a clinic with trumpet and quartet, sorted.
Settle into a gorgeous collection of tones, colors, and vibes while Thackray puts her foot innit.
It’s the most proper introduction to this serious artist who you will be hearing much more from in the future.
SOUL SLAM, “PURPLE MIX”
The Soul Slam party would have taken place this month, celebrating the 62’nd birthday of Prince. The Bay Area’s legendary dance party features selections by Prince & his Disciples, Sheila E, The Time, Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis, Vanity 6 & Madhouse, The Family and so many more. In the past DJ Spinna has headlined and kept everybody moving to Housequake and What A Beautiful Night. In that honor here is THE PURPLE MIX by King Most & Marky, both resident DJs of the party, who remain West Coast elite presenters. Kicking it off with “Gigolos Get Lonely Too,” its a deep hang of a mix for a one-word icon of an artist who encapsulated multi-hyphenate designation starting with the 1978 debut record For You.
BROWN AMY, BOILER ROOM ‘STREAMING FROM ISOLATION’ MIX
Chulita Vinyl and Hard French resident DJ Brown Amy has been spinning and producing events for nine years, and collecting records for 15 years. Her recent mix for Club Chai’s Streaming From Isolation is a high octane breakbeat, house, and techno-affair that just won’t stop. Think of it as an espresso for your ears. The kids would declare on the dance floor “this shit is dope”. Get a taste and keep it pushing, people…
KEMISTRY & STORM, DJ KICKS “25-YEAR CELEBRATION”
This is the one. Sure Roni Size, Goldie, LTJ Bukem held their respective moments on the breakbeat mountain, but let’s face it. This DJ KICKS mix, released before Kemistry’s tragic freak death in 1999, made this music, this culture stand at attention. Get hypnotized and bathe in the glorious bass bin grumble. Kemistry & Storm DJ-Kicks has been re-mastered and re-issued and retains no dust. Shamefully, the first time Kemistry & Storm went to a specialist record shop in London, they were practically laughed off the premises. DJ-Kicks: Kemistry & Storm hit the shelves just three-months before chemistry passed. Still the only drum & bass entry in the mixed series, it’s widely considered one of the greatest mixes in the genre’s history. Here’s a reminder of why. RIP Kemistry.
KAYSOUL, “KALTBLUT MAGAZINE MIX”
DJ/producer Katlego Matseke aka KaySoul, the first DJ to reach out to 48hills and actually ask how to get their mix mentioned in this column (thx KaySoul), started his career in 2010 in Johannesburg’s East Rand. While listing that he draws influence from the likes Larry Heard and Fred Everything, that burgeoning South Africa scene produced house and techno talents Black Coffee and Culoe De Song. As you take in this slippery smooth mix, keeping that head-nod in full motion for about an hour, remember where you first heard Kaysoul. He’s next.
