Midweek Mixes (25/08/21)
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.
Velvet Velour - Ritmo #11
Earlier this year, Liam aka Velvet Velour introduced himself by sending me a lovely message on IG. One of my previous posts had led him off on a digging trail and he wanted to thank me and share a record he’d found. He also sent me one of his own productions to listen to. Over the six months since that initial message a lot has happened in Liam’s world: his debut track and debut EP were released, both on Ba Dum Tish label Scratch Discs, and he had his first podcast published for Dim Sum’s Straight Flavours series. He also presents a monthly radio show on Bristol radio station SWU.FM.
This new mix for Ritmo London shows off his preferred sound, basking in the sunnier strands of house, garage and breaks. This is epitomised by the early appearance of veteran Affie Yusuf’s ‘Rinse & Dry’, whose carefree groove and optimistic harmonies set the tone for the rest of the set. (I have to mention that this track will forever remind me of Andrew James Gustav’s Elevate podcast and the sound of certain London parties circa 2012.) If at times the selections stray into territory that’s a little bit noodly for my tastes, this is usually quickly offset by clever sidesteps into other moods of house: bumping, stripped-back, ‘fine minimal’ (copyright Hardwax) and, starting around two thirds of the way through, a string of deep anthems that would go down very well at the end of a night.
I’ll be talking about Velvet Velour a lot more in the coming months: we’re playing together in London next month, then I’ll be playing at his night in Bristol in November (my first gig in the city). There’s also an announcement to be made about his stunning forthcoming EP on Welt Discos - soon!
Islas & Dana Kuehr - The Morning Show @ Kiosk Radio (06/08/21)
Back to The Morning Show on Kiosk Radio. In the absence of regular co-host Alex Alexandros (who was meant to be on holiday but, it seems, couldn’t stay away from the kiosk), Islas is joined by her Blurbs colleague Dana Kuehr. Dana debuted as a producer late last year with her track ‘e.piffany (how do we continue)’, a Detroit-by-way-of-Benelux housey-techno breezer that instantly made me pay attention. It has a sophisticated structure with different movements and shifts, all handled with an ease and sense of playfulness, while the harmonies and background nature effects elevate it to an ever more joyful plane as it progresses.
The Morning Show also exists on a joyful plane, albeit one tempered by daybreak sleepiness and the need for strong coffee. As ever, the musical selection is excellent and diverse, still managing to sound simply like “The Morning Show” as it veers from Japanese percussion to the incredible Facta album to The Cardigans to a tribute to the late Paul Johnson.
Special mention has to be made of Dana dropping a version of the theme from Dire Dire Docks (any other Mario 64 speedrun fans out there? no?), and also her fabulous acappella vocal explaining the concept of ‘craic’ to a baffled international listenership. I’ve said it before, but I’ll say it again: this is the best kind of radio. Follow them on IG at @kioskmorningshow for tracklists.