Mixes of the Week(s)

Hello dear readers!!!

In this feature we have listened and then listened again some Dj mixes and now we can recommend to YOU some of the best mixes we heard from the last time. Of course we weren't online for some time, but regardless that, we cherry pick some of the mixes we think they might be great listening experience for you.

We will also try to explain why we choose them, and say some kind words about their makers - the DJs.

Here what we choose:

Mysteries of the Deep - Patrick Russell -KYYNELIN 1 



Sadly, one of the greatest experimental, ambient, noise, or and iconic figure in electronic music, Mika Vainio has passed away, he was 53 years old.

By our humble opinion Mika Vainio, also known as Ø or Philus, Kentolevi, Takonivel one part of iconic group Pan Sonic, was musical Monolith. At least writer of this lines can describe his music as Monolithic (we plan to review one of his early albums, but that is another topic in near future.) He worked with people like Ilpo Väisänen and Sami Salo (as Pan Sonic), with Alan Vega (Suicide), Vladislav Delay (Vladislav Delay Quartet), Gagarin-Kombinaatti, Rancho Relaxo Allstars, Charlemagne Palestine, Merzbow, Keiji Haino just to name most popular ones. He mostly released his solo records on Sähkö Recordings, and Raster-Noton, PAN, Blast First, Editions Mego, just to name a few. Always radical, his music ranged from noise, drone, avant-garde electronics, actually it is not easy to put genre label on his music. Always working, he left behind huge catalog of music - so just try to immerse yourself into it. I think you will find incredible music. His latest works include Mika Vainio and Franck Vigroux  "Peau Froide, Léger Soleil" (Cosmo Rhythmatic), "Reat"(Elektro Music Dept.) and   "Tectonic Plate" (Ideal Recordings)

So the people from Mysteries of the Deep and Patrick Russel decide to make a mix specialy around his ambient work, and this is what they said:

"Mysteries of the Deep Podcast, Kyynelin 1 by Patrick Russell.

A heavy-hearted tribute to the sonic design and emotional potency of Mika Vainio, here exploring a brief cross-section of his vast ambient and experimental catalog. Mika shaped how I perceive and present music. His work was, and will continue to be, an incalculable influence on my sets at Mysteries of the Deep and beyond. Rest in Power.

Kyynelin 2 will be a tribute to his more aggressive, floor-friendly sounds, presented in a live context only."

Tracklist:
1. Ø - Radio
2. Mika Vainio - Hengityttajä / The Breather
3. Mika Vainio - Jos (If?)
4. Pan Sonic - Kylma Massa
5. Ø - Kohta
6. Ø - Hikari
7. Ø - Monneista Viimeinen / Last Of Catfishes
8. Pan Sonic - Etaisyys
9. Pan Sonic - Alku
10. Ø - Kentta
11. Pan Sonic - Aleneva
12. Ø - Stratostaatti
13. Ø - Set The Controls For The Heart Of The Sun
14. Ø - Kohta
15. Mika Vainio - -27
16. Popol Vuh - Nachts: Schnee (Mika Vainio Remix)

                                                    Mika Tapio Vainio

                                                             (1963 - 2017)

picture by: josephine michael


OSM 020 - Finn Johannsen



OK class, today we will learn dance music history and how to mix it. Profesor Finn Johannsen will show you, actually listen how to make everybody dance on any occasion. Anyone who can stand on their feet, even those who can't, will make some kind of moves due to music Mr. Johannsen present to you. So "dance music" is such a large category and span from, in this case from 70's till today. From funk to punk. Listen carefully and you could for example: make some random grandma dance to your music gig at someone's wedding.

I can surely say it works, cause I secretly played this mix to my future father-in-law and his Deep-Purple-loving friends. They didn't realize I turn this mix secretly, they thought it was radio. At beginning they just nod their heads and slap their feet on the ground. After few drinks they even start to casually move their bodies and have good old fun, to talk, eat cheese and drink beer.
A true lesson from a man who is walking encyclopedia of dance music. Don't forget to relax and have some fun. I'll bet you will have a blast.



Drifting in Space by Funky_Jeff



"A music junkie, sometimes DJing at some places, a radio show host at CHYZ (Where I’ve had funk and ambient shows) and an avid record collector. Music I like : funk, jazz, new wave, electro, house, Detroit techno, ambient, dub, deep house, soul, post punk, and classical." - Funky Jeff about himself on his blog.I would love to be friend with this guy. In Vivo!
 First of all we share common interests like DJ-ing, music in general, Space and science fiction... and conceptual Dj mixes. His, as I like to call "space program" DJ sets, are ambient mixes with Space as major concept sets you in specific condition: feeling that you float around space station, or exploring new solar systems, watching wonders of Cosmos or just travel "shape shifting from place to place, banding time, curving space..."
His mixes are very special for me, it sets me in special mood, right before I'ready to fell asleep and dream.

This one Drifting in Space mix is no exception. Filled with dreamy, space tracks and samples from random communications between astronauts. Those who have problems with sleeping, who need something to focus their mind before they get to that pre-dream state, or perfect soundtrack for reading classic Science Fiction classics. You can hear he have experience with programming the sets with right tracks, execution. It all gives such perfect result.

Also, if you check his soundcloud  you can find sets tribute to certain artists like Massive Attack, Aphex Twin, Drexciya, Boards of Canada, Global Communication and my significant other/future/wife's favorite 2hrs tribute mix to Biosphere.
Also he made special funky, soul, dub sets.

Check this guy, all I can do is highly recommend it to you. He is  professional, and on other hand he is genius.

Blog, facebook page, and you can start exploring Funky Jeff's out-of-this world.

Man... I really love this guy's mixes. Cheers Funky One!!!



Clubberia podcast 284: Petre Inspirescu




"Oh, minimal is dead, no minimal is alive." Quit that argument! Music is good or bad, no matter what do you call it these days. Yes I could talk ages about certain style/movement in techno history. I always loved good minimal techno or micro-house (oh my headache!!!) tunes and mixes. No doubt.

But there is country, actually a scene, where people don't think about it, and specially don't care how do you call their music. Romania and it's specific techno/house style will here to stay. There is something in the water that nice peeps from Romania drink and you can hear that in their music. Yes it is minimalistick, with constant deep locked groove, melancholic melody, that lead to hypnosis. And people love it, people producing it. I don't think it is only in Romania, but from my point of view, girls and boys live it that way, and it is phenomenon directly connected to this country.

When we talk about that certain style of electronic dance music, the most important export items, are... well I hate these capitalistic words. lets try again, shall we? The most important figures that came from that scene are guys known to the world as [a:rpia:r]: Rhadoo, Raresh and Pedro Inspirescu. and I must say they were under the wing of grande brujo Ricardo Villalobos, and when that moment happened: the explosion of minimal house/techno in mid 00's, they become one of game biggest draws. Just like Ricardo, they adopted his modus operandi: they rarely give any interviews or promo shootings, or any kind of modern promotional stunts. They simply don't need any. They let their music (magic) do things for them. All that "wall" of mystery give them possibility to do what they want to do - practicing musical magic were ever they perform. Their real success is that they used they popularity to move focus on other people, who do the same thing - and that is why Romania has such unique and strong minimal/micro house/techno scene, not only in Europe, but the whole world.

When I mentioned [a:rpia:r] earlier, one of those three guys, really caught my attention - and it was Petre Inspirescu. His music isn't much different from two others, but if you listen closely and match it with two other guys, you will find Petre Inspirescu much more melodic, with much more strange bass-lines, even chords and harmonies are complex then others. Of course it is not pissing contest, or who have larger one (pardon!!!), but I'm trying to give you my impression on Petre Inspirescu.

Just close your eyes and listen closely, maybe you will found something I didn't, and I hope you will be amazed - like I was.  
And here is the end of thought of this mix. Romanian scene is getting stronger, and more and more people are releasing more and more different music right now. After all it is not all the same in "minimal nation" and it would never be.


JD Twitch (Optimo) - Balearic Rhythms:

It is very hard to talk about Optimo, when my first review of their fabric mix was full of my snobism and lack of knowledge who and what Optimo are, and what they are doing and represent. I feel shame about that review, but I was young. Luckily for me that review was for one mag/portal that doesn't exist anymore.

But let's look at this masterpiece here. It is release like 90 minutes cassette with two sides, and it could be yours.

JD Twitch gathered, at least for me, lots of obscure to identify EBM tracks, that JD has collected through the decades. And he show his knowledge and the will to educate people. I hear EBM, no-wave, post-punk, synth/dark wave, industrial, sounds-like-Chris-and-Cosey, Depech Mode dub, and other genres. Records that should satisfy young and free who maybe dream about  Ebeefa (Ibiza, yes I know!) and Amnezia during 80s.
What is most important, we can dance our asses of to it now in pre-apocalyptic world of 2017.
I could write this down and just say three words: free-minded, exotic and educational. And his DJ technique here is incredible, constant building the tension, drop, rising and aggression.

Be happy to have this on soundcloud cause on original release of the tapes, these was written:
 "2 exclusive DJ Mixes from JD Twitch, exclusive to Monorail, limited to 100 on C90 Cassette. Screenprinted inlay."


Damir Plićanić