I’ve been thinking a lot about mixtapes recently, I’m looking for inspiration and I wondered if people had any recommendations for mixes that, in their opinion, really pushed the technical and conceptual boundaries of a DJ mix?
As a starter, the first things that popped into my head were:
Coldcut - 70 Minutes of Madness
The eclecticism of acts like Coldcut have helped imbue a sense of freedom in me. The way the disparate elements are seamlessly woven together, particularly given the technology available at the time (1995), makes this a real journey.
Richie Hawtin - Closer To The Edit, Transitions
Personally important as it these mixes were my first real taste of minimal techno. I know Hawtin’s a controversial figure to many but I find his adoption and application of technology an inspiration. I hadn’t heard of anyone chopping tracks into loops and individual hits on a computer in order to combine them with full tracks as a mix in this way.
Kid Koala - Scratchcratchratchatch
I was big into scratching/turntablism in my youth and this stood out because its emphasis is on entertainment and listenability rather than technical prowess - the man had a creative vision! Also important for me becasue it’s almost a multi-tracked series of sketches rather than a seamless blend, which challenged my idea of a mix at the time. The offbeat humour, lo-fi charm and eclectic style still make this very listenable today.
Any thoughts and recommendations from any genre are most welcome!
ok srs time: ive always loved dj markski’s stuff, i think its because i started listening to his mixes at the age of 5… in fact, he(not personally, im talking about his stuff. i dont know tthe guy) is the reason im djing right now to begin with
well you brought up one of my favorites Richie Hawtin but I would go a step further back to “DECKS, EFX & 909”. This was his first real studio attempt at sampling, looping and using a drum machine in a full on techno/minimal techno dj mix. It was so far ahead of its time its set the standard for all minimal techno and techno sets since IMO.
Personally don’t have any real favourites, I listen to all mixes i get sent and it’s more down to the playlist rather then the style of mixing, not a huge fan of mashups as I like to hear the tune as it was made, but if picking people then it’s going to be Derrick May and Laurent Garnier both of these I have seen play the End years gone by, possibly DJ Hype way back in the time and Jazzy Jeff those have to be some of the guys i have enjoyed most but rarely for their skills more their selection, admittedly with Jazzy it’s all down to him being the daddy of turntabalism from what i was a lad
I really like the Twelves mix–The twelfth hour. not sure if it pushed boundaries but its the only mix that i’ve listened to several times the whole way through.
Sasha’s Ableton-based mixes can be enlightening if you’re prepared to listen and dig out the original tracks to compare against. He is genuinely blurring the line between Production and DJing as you hear him take apart tracks (using the original sources from the artists) and reassemble them live.
Watch for when he brings back the breakbeat used in the first track (5:17) at a different tempo (6:47 onwards), and he beings it back again several other times in the mix each time making it sound different.
Also Coldcut’s Breezeblock “Revolution” mix that uses voice and tracks to tell a story is astonishing. Try 4:30 onwards for a quick taste.
Paul Oakenfold’s ‘Goa Mix’ is still something special. He might not be the best technical mixer but this still rocks and it blew me away back when it was released
I love that Sasha Mix it takes me back to the old Sasha and Digweed ablums. I can remember just listening to them over and over again going how are these different records how are they doing this and knowing then that I wanted to do that. I wanted to be the guy that made the people move. Ahh the good ole days Everyone should check out Renaissance: The Mix Collection if you can find an original the 2004 reissue was actually a whole new set using the same tracks they changed 2 tracks even not nearly as good imo but beyond that either of the Northern Exposure’s are fantastic.
Portishead essential mix from 1996 (tablism)
London Elektricity essential mix 2008 i think (excellent mixing)
Ludachrist - Bangfest (Controllerism)
Knick (evol intent) live on Switch radio (Controllerism)
Everyone should check out Renaissance: The Mix Collection if you can find an original the 2004 reissue was actually a whole new set using the same tracks they changed 2 tracks even not nearly as good imo but beyond that either of the Northern Exposure’s are fantastic.
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