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With summer fast approaching, look at that, it’s already here, we all seek ways to eliminate the chaos and increase the frequency of a vibe that elevates. That’s where mixes come in and automatically create joy—a shared experience or that personal sonic journey you keep chuckling to while walking through the mistiness Karl bestows upon all of us.
We’ve gathered together four mixes that should have you covered for UK bass pressure, poolside sipping relaxation, reggae gold moments, and that boogie-soul funk sitch that automatically makes you feel grown and sexy.
No thank-yous are needed here, just change into something a bit more comfortable.
ENJOY:
bastiengoat
As I’ve previously confessed, I learned about bastiengoat because of their association with Bored Lord. That BORED GOAT B2B team-up was just savage in The Bay.
Lucky for us, this Oakland bad mofo behind the decks is one of those DJs who can play hard AF, but it’s still funky as hell, popping off like a renegade UK bashment underground—feeding your drum and bass, breaks, and garridge’ needs, in one spell. That’s what’s happening with his Lucid Radio set I swear the harder it goes, the cooler this dude looks. But make no mistake, this mix, right here?
The real Wally bang-bang.
Lucky for you and us, bastiengoat is from The Bay, so it’s just a matter of time until you’ll be able to get the live version, but this right here is still pretty damn special.
Grab your red cups and prepare for those low-end frequencies to mix what’s in them.
YAZMIN LACEY
I’ve been digging, vibing, grooving, and feeling everything East London vocalist Yazmin Lacey has released in her brief, yet extensive discography. Coming from Giles Peterson’s Future Bubblers development program, Lacey’s distillation of the soul genre, in all its various shades of black, brown, and beige, from Ella Fitz to Lauryn Hill with a touch of Betty Carter, Carmen McRae, Badu, and Sister Nancy in between, makes her truly unique and worth paying attention to.
I’m talking to the normies here, cause we’ve been diggin’ on her stuff from jump.
So for her Vinyl Factory Mix, we have summertime flavors ranging from deep cuts by Lee “Scratch’ Perry to modern reinterpretations of Grace Jones classics—with a sprinkle of soul, jazz, and electronic music elements throughout.
Your summertime thirst is quenched. Thanks Yazmin!
HELADO NEGRO, PHONIC MIRROR MIX #11: LOVE IS LOVELY WAR IS UGLY
“Play this loud, and make sure you have bass.”
That’s how you get me to immediately listen to whatever good-good bump situation you may have going on. Werd up! That directive is the last sentence Helado Negro puts in the description for his Red Stripe vibe of a mix.
For the past couple of years, Roberto Carlos Lange’s project has invaded my life like no other artist has for a good long while.
I caught his shows in SF a couple of times and the guy always brings this heart-healthy vibe, in English and Spanish, making sure that more love is left in a room than what was there at the beginning.
When I interviewed Lange, he spoke of growing up listening to dance music on the radio. Strafe’s “Set It Off” is one song from his upbringing that takes him back. It’s a jam that gets everyone open, letting folks drop their guard. It’s Lange’s career calling card.
So his Phonic Mirror # 11 mix, called Love is Lovely War Is Ugly, fits the swooning rocksteady and digital reggae exploration mish-mosh you could imagine Lange’s vast collection of 45s would consist of.
He’s been picking up and stashing away these rare slabs of joy for seven years from the Caribbean and the cities folks migrated to.
With a reggae cover of “Nothing Compared 2 U” to boot, this is Lange, doing his heart-touching thing, by way of riddum speak. Get ready to get lost in the reggae goodness.
MAMABEAR: THE HONEY POT ON DUBLAB, MAY 24
Sometimes you just need to take a break, pause the week, and indulge in music that makes you feel good, smell sexy, and move like the dancer you’ve always wanted to be.
DJ Mamabear describes her mix show on Dublab as aiming to remind you of songs you forgot you loved, or better yet, never knew you did. Expect to hear a heavy dose of boogie, house, modern soul, and RnB, brought to you by the Sweater Funk veteran.
With a plethora of S.O.S. Band slappers, featuring extended versions with drum machines just going off, cooler than-you transitions, and of course Mamabear letting you know how you found yourself in a boogie-friendly K-hole, under the influence of water only.
These mixes always sound like the Friday you need, although it could be the Monday that you don’t. Mamabear will get you through…. and on the unders, that new Say She She single “In The Morning” is the business. Thanks Mamabear.
