Midweek Radio (09/06/21)
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.
I’ve been AWOL thanks to a short trip out of Lisbon to Ericeira, a fishing town known for its surfing. I didn’t surf - I’m still taking swimming lessons! - but I did eat a load of amazing fish and seafood and enjoy an evening set by my friend Telma at one of the oldest bars in town, Adega Bar 1987.
I’ve been listening to a lot of radio shows so this is a Midweek Radio special.
Prosumer - NTS Show w/Mike Servito
I’ve never had the pleasure of seeing Mike Servito play live. I’ve seen Prosumer DJ approximately 100 times (alright, around 20 times). They’re clearly a match made in heaven, both making hay out of the rich territory between funky techno and pumping house while never forgetting the power of a good vocal.
This NTS show would be an absolute banger of a night out. Prosumer kicks off his meditative warm-up with ‘Gamma Player’, a calling card of his, before some jazzy broken beat and garage house. Mike Servito starts with classic stripped-down NYC disco house grooves, then, seemingly out of nowhere, in creep the distinctive dissonant opening tones of Doobie Dubs’ ‘Just A Thought’. At this point of the night, for me at least, all hell would break loose. This epic tune is a highlight of any set, so to hear it here just put a massive smile on my face - the progression into the bittersweet pads of the middle section, the return of off-tune bits, the resonance in the snares…it’s a doozy.
Mike’s mixing is smooth, thoughtful and energy-giving throughout the whole set as he lays down a series of greats - Kerri, Oscar & Ralph, Kenny Dixon Jr., MK - before Prosumer rounds things out with more - Mike Huckaby, LB Bad, A Guy Called Gerald… Like I said, an absolute banger of a night.
Zakia - 6 Music Recommends Takeover
Zakia is a broadcaster and DJ whose Saturday morning NTS show Questing is a staple of mine. This past weekend she marked 5 years of the show with a celebration featuring her mother Amey. Previously she’s produced fantastic programmes on Julius Eastman and Beverly Glenn-Copeland, drumming traditions in Senegal and Grenada, and her relationship with her mother.
Her takeover of 6 Music’s Recommends show gives a taste of what it feels Questing is about - musicians from all over and from all eras making everything from laments to drum and bass, all united by their yen for some space slightly beyond current reality or consciousness.
Zakia is also a badass club DJ - check out her percussion-heavy Dimensions podcast for an idea.
Lakuti - Bring Down The Walls w/DJ Qu
Archival work of the highest order here, as Lakuti interviews DJ Qu about his career trajectory from dancer to DJ to producer to label owner (of Strength Music). Qu talks about his formative years in New Jersey, how his work as a dancer led to him getting into collecting and playing records, the beginnings of Strength Music and so on.
There’s an interesting reflection from both Lakuti and Qu on attention span in dance music (it’s got shorter) and then an amusing insight into what it’s like to be an artist who people say has ‘a sound’ when you yourself don’t necessarily hear it (apparently it took 7 years for Qu to have this realisation!).
Qu’s mix begins with psychedelic synth boogie experimentalism and, for want of a better descriptor, is really good for dancing to. There’s even Impedance’s 1989 electro cover of ‘Tainted Love’ in there.
DJ Qu @ Pumping Velvet, please?