Selections: DJ Bone
In this regular feature, Selections, we invite DJs, producers and label heads to dig into their digital crates and share the contents of their Bandcamp collections. This week, Detroit legend DJ Bone selects 10 impeccable releases that dance in the sweet spot between ferociously funky techno and deep, soulful house
Clubs around the world are shut, and opportunities to find new music out in the wild have been ripped from under our feet as a result of the coronavirus pandemic. While hearing new music played out by your favourite DJs will have to be put on hold due to these unprecedented circumstances, it’s never been easier, or more important, to support the artists and labels putting out EPs, albums and compilations in the midst of all the madness.
With tour cancellations and festival postponements leaving many members of the international electronic music community out of pocket, Bandcamp has become an even more vital platform for supporting the music you love, with 80% of all sales from the online music store going directly to artists and labels. In March, the platform announced it would be waiving its revenue share for all sales for one day, and on Friday 20th, took no cut from purchases made. In total, $4.3 million was spent on music over the course of 24 hours, all going straight to the creators. Throughout lockdown, Bandcamp continued to waive their fees on the first Friday of every month up to July, as well as on 19th June (Juneteenth), when the platform donated 100% of its profits to the NAACP Legal Defence Fund. Last month, it was announced that a fee-free "Bandcamp Friday" would take place on the first Friday of each month for the rest of 2020.
In this series, Selections, we’re inviting DJs, producers and label heads to dig into their digital crates and share the contents of their Bandcamp collections. In lieu of opportunities to discover new records on the dancefloor, Selections – along with radio shows and mixes – will give you the chance to nab sounds from the crates of tastemakers, and support the artists behind them while you’re at it. Win-win, right?
This week, Detroit legend DJ Bone flags up 10 newly added gems in his collection, dancing in the sweet spot between ferociously funky techno and deep, soulful house. The Amsterdam-based DJ/producer – who threw down an unforgettable set at DJ Mag HQ back in 2018 – has been organising a series of intimate, socially distanced events at local club RADION. Titled FURTHER, the Saturday events, which launched in June have aimed to provide "a forward thinking approach to maintaining club culture while europe begins its recovery from the pandemic". So far, FURTHER has found DJ Bone curating and hosting talks, audio visual shows and listening experiences, including A Journey Through Detroit Techno, the story and evolution of his Subject Detroit label, a conversation with one his "Auditory Allies" Ben Sims, and more. This Saturday (15th August), Bone will celebrate one of his all-time favourite artists, Prince, in The Purple Set, during which he will "do a deep dive into the man, the myth and the musical legacy of one of the greatest to ever do it". Learn more about the event and grab tickets here. Keep up to date with future FURTHER events, including A Journey Into New Wave, here. All of DJ Bone's FURTHER events are being recorded to be released online at a later date.
In 2019, DJ Bone shared his entire back catalogue on Bandcamp. It's a techno goldmine from a true master of the craft. Dig in here.
Check out DJ Bone’s Selections below.
“Jordan has been on my radar for a very long time. He has a penchant for the funkier side of techno and displays it effortlessly. Smooth and funky rhythms all around on this EP.”
“This compilation will make a difference! Not only is the music hot but all proceeds go to investments in black communities. Songs from Robert Aiki Aubrey Lowe, Umfang, Shyboi, MoMa Ready and (a nice surprise from) Surgeon are the standouts for me. I’m very proud to have contributed a track to the cause as well.”
“Found this track on the Haus of ALTR 10 comp. Low-key tribal rhythms with a timeless feel. Great for my style of DJing and infectious as hell. Great track!”
“I’ve been playing a remix of this for a while but this has that original power. Organic and dope as always. Detroit soul music that comes straight from the heart.”
“I’ve always been a fan of Scan 7’s music. They come with the heat on the regular and it usually sits right in the Detroit pocket between house and techno. Love this remix from Mark Flash. Mark not only keeps it aggressively funky but manages to make it uplifting as well.”
"Marc Mac’s Nu Era moniker returned with this absolute masterpiece late last year. It is a timeless evolution without missing a single step. ‘Around The Sun’ and ‘Off Line’ are my favs but as a whole it is just beautiful."
“I’m really liking this new release from Daniel. Infinite Future, Darlinnn and Fuzzwar stand out for me. It’s a great balance as the title states, allowing you moments to relax and reflect. A great listen all the way through.”
“Every track on this release slaps big time! They all work and will get a workout. A bit of a different sound on a couple of these tracks and I love it. Precise and meaningful, very good music here.”
“This one hits me as a nice cross between deep house and Detroit techno. Wyatt Stevens under two production names breaks it down like it needs to be broke. Funky and hard-hitting enough for my techno sets and groovy enough for my house sets. Well done brotha!”
“Leaning heavy on the Latin side, this release has such a good pace while keeping that swinging soul nice n’ funky. Whole EP wins for me, a must!”
