Midweek Mixes (20/10/21)
A run-down of some of the mixes and radio shows that have been soundtracking my existence – from the box-fresh to the tried-and-tested, all guaranteed to brighten up your week.
In the absence of his seemingly shortlived MUSICÓDROMO radio show (which I covered previously here), it’s a happy occasion to hear this new hour from Tsuri aka Tomás Freitas. Tomás here seems to be an alien version of himself, his voice distorted and pitched up. It suits the vibe, since otherworldy sounds and textures are once again the order of the day: cosmic jazz and ambient, dub and jungle, dreamy drum n bass, and a closing salvo of jacking acid house.
KRN aka Phil Kearney has the deftest of touches, his mixing style falling satisfyingly between laid back and surgical. It’s never messy or overfussy, with any light friction always handled with composure. But it’s also never so clinical that you can’t hear the joins, which gives it a human touch. There’s care and attention paid to harmonies, textures, grooves and flow.
The opening section of his mix for Marginal Returns - up to about 18 minutes in - is a perfect example, calmly and cleverly building a mood full of subtle anticipation. Then there’s that specific transition at 18 minutes, where the dissonant metallic noises from the outgoing electro track become a sort of harmonic accent for the huge bumping bassline that drops in. Instant energy. Or, as someone says in the comments elsewhere in the mix: “sorcery”.
Ray Kandinski - The Hör Set That You Should Have Heard
When Ray Kandinski played at Hoer a few weeks ago his USB malfunctioned, leaving him to improvise on the fly with whatever tracks the CDJs would actually load. So afterwards he re-recorded the set with what he’d originally intended to play: one hour of bumping, hands-in-the-air vocal- and piano-led house with a couple of silly-but-serious Eurohouse moments slung in for good measure - one old one from DJ Tonka and one newish one from Binary Digit. The full tracklist is here.
(Side note: I’m not sure which is worse, a malfunctioning USB or one you’ve left on the kitchen table.)
Kandinski’s recent Garant EP for Lobster Theremin is a firm new favourite of mine. It ranges from ghetto tech to dnb to house and back again in six very concise arrangements that still manage to pack an emotional punch.