Best New Mixes from January 2020
As the new decade kicks off, we continue in the same fashion. These are the mixes that we enjoyed the most in January. The list features DJs from all around the world and covers wide spectrum of underground electronic music realm, from ambient to IDM to techno to breakbeat and beyond.
Cleveland - Domo Pipo E01
Farewell Planet Cleveland, hello Domo Pipo! Brussels based Cleveland continues with monthly shows on Red Light Radio with a slight facelift. From now on, we'll listen to Domo Pipo shows instead of Planet Cleveland. The idea is the same, Cleveland takes us to the excursion of complex rhythms and kaleidoscopic sounds. Buon viaggio, il Capitano Cleveland ha il controllo!
Nadia Struiwigh - Dekmantel 2019
Even though this is a short version of Nadia's set from last year's Dekmantel festival, every minute of this IDM voyage is pure bliss. This set was recorded live and it's fully hardware-based, something that Nadia spoiled us with her live sets. Magnificently talented Amsterdam based artist set the bar high with her recent performances, and we can't wait to hear more.
MNMT Label Showcase - Nous’klaer Audio
Rotterdam based Nous'kaler Audio is undoubtedly one of our favorite labels in the past couple of years. Their consistency in the quality of releases is hard to match. Over the years, Nous has become home to artists such as Mattheis, Konduku, Tammo, Upsammy just to name a few and each year they introduce someone new and fresh to the world. This mix was made exclusively out of unreleased Nous'kaler material, which will hit the record stores during 2020. Here are a few words from the mastermind behind the label and this unique mix, Sjoerd Oberman: “It's a selection of unreleased tracks from our artists and friends, mixed last Sunday night at home. The start is a bit slow with some ambient droney tracks in contrasting rhythms; then it evolves into a slightly more ravey vibe until it flows back to the sound of the beginning. Everything in the mix should come out this year.”
A.Brehme - Smoke Machine Podcast 137
Brussels based A.Brehme recently visited far east and played at the new hotspot Pawn Shop in Taipei. The crew behind Pawn Shop, Smoke Machine, asked Sonata Forma label boss to do a mix for their podcast series, and what a mix we have here. Whoever is into deep hypnotic techno, look no further. This mix will be on repeat, I promise. Seamless transitioning, immaculate track selection, what else do you need?
Forest Drive West & Localhost at Home - December ‘18
An incredibly trippy journey by FDW and Localhost. This mix is one of those that you can listen to in any given moment during the day and in many different settings. Even though it dates from Dec 18, Forest Drive West's music and style still sound super fresh. Deep, percussive, and as I said at the beginning, very trippy, this mix was one of the favs in January.
Edward - µ-Cast
It's been a while since we heard a mix from Giegling stalwart, Edward. This 2hr mix he made for the Russian Music platform Mutabor is house music at its best. It's versatile and fun and highlights everything we like about house music. Fits very well for listening during the day.
Nadia Kahn - RA.710
S&T affiliate, Nadia Kahn, is known for her mesmerizing ambient style full of delicate textures and melancholic atmospheres. North Carolina based artist made an exclusive mix for RA, and needless to say, it's such a beauty of the mix. Something that you'll enjoy with first-morning coffee or as background music while reading a book. Here's what Nadia said about the mix: 'The mixes I make are mainly ambient, but I tried to incorporate different styles and tempos rather than exclusively playing strictly beatless music. I wanted to showcase a variety of sounds while also keeping it super mellow. Also grateful to have a few friends share some unreleased/forthcoming tracks with me, so I definitely wanted to include them.'
FR Fels - GLYKMIX 20
Leipzig's own FR Fels mixed the latest installment of the GLYK podcast series. This time we have a cosmic ambient escapade that will suit your' me' time. Get cozy and enjoy the ride.
Versalife - Live in Los Angeles
Boris Bunnik brings his Versailfe moniker back in action with this energetic electro live set recorded in Los Angeles. Incredibly talented Dutch artist never ceases to impress us with his versatility as a producer. This set is a peak time material and would rock any given dance floor.
Jacques Bon - CB340
The man behind Smallville Records Paris, Jacques Bon, brings some deep house extravaganza with his latest mix for Tokyo based electronic music platform, Clubberia. Lots of personal favorites in the mix including Lawrence, Even Tuell, Edward, Move D - artists that shaped the house music in the last 15 years in a big way.
Laura BCR with Valerio Gomez de Ayala - Rinse FM
Rinse FM radio hosts some of our favorite shows at the moment, one of them is by On Board Music founder Laura BCR. For this month's show, Laura invited one part of Italian electronic duo natural/electronic.system, Valerio Gomez de Ayala, to be her guest. natural/electronic.system just released an exceptional EP on Tikita, which we featured here in Delayed as one of the top releases in January.
The first hour of the show is courtesy of Laura BCR. Her mix is a subtle blend of ambient, dub techno, and IDM. In the second hour, we have Valerio from natural/electronic.system. Even though Italian duo is known for deep, atmospheric techno, this mix is made of Valerio's favorite ambient records that he doesn't have a chance to play in clubs.
Davis - Troally 200
ODD co-founder, Davis, is back with a bang. Fresh and powerful mix for Troally podcast displays Davis' undeniable talent to blend different genres in a seamless story, this time made of electro, bass, and leftfield ingredients. Peak time energy, right here.
Bocksrucker - Flickering Minds #5.1
A few months ago, we had a pleasure to host the mix from Neubau co-founder, Florian Bocksrucker. That was one of the best mixes I heard last year. With his latest mix for Flickering Minds radio show, Bokcrucker doesn't plan to 'put the pedal down.' As we got used to it with Florian's style, this mix is not your everyday listening necessarily, but it's the mix you'll listen more than once, guaranteed. Mixing and storytelling are top-notch, it's dark, in moments experimental and unique.
Luigi Tozzi - MNMT 243
Dutch platform Monument has been doing an incredible job with their guest mix selections. The latest mix in their series comes from talented Italian techno producer Luigi Tozzi. Dark, atmospheric, deep techno for your late-night adventures.
Sevensol & Tim Schlockermann - Long Vehcile
Our second doubleheader on the list comes from boys from Leipzig. KANN's Sevensol and R.A.N.D. Muzik affiliate Tim Schlockermann takes us for a fun ride through the house, breaks, electro, and beyond.
Pom Pom 20 20
6 hrs of ambient, IDM, techno, noise and beyond, Pom Pom style. Enough said.
Tracey - ZeeZout Podcast 139
Tour de force mix by incredibly talented Amsterdam based artist, Tracey. Dark electro and powerful breaks for the late-night shenanigans.
Feral - Page 41
Hypnus Records crew 'has a nose' for Italian deep techno. Feral is another incredibly talented producer who's been releasing some exceptional music in the past few years on Hypnus. The Memoir, a podcast series from Hypnus welcomes Feral and his mind-bending live set. This whole mix is made of unreleased material. Truly exceptional.
Grant - Mix Rinse FM
Anthony Collins aka Grant, delivers some real deep house spectacle in his latest Rinse FM radio show. Soulful grooves for the next sunny day!
Citizen Maze - DJ Mix at Edinburgh Gardens
Adam McCoy, aka Citizen Maze recently posted a recording of his DJ mix at Melbourne's Edinburgh Gardens Park. It's a lovely ambient escapade that you can enjoy during the early morning hours.