Selections: Juba

“I've been coming across Gina Jeanz more often in recent months and I really enjoy her productions. ‘Amagroove’ is one of my favourite tracks of hers and it’s a very smart take on the South African sound of the moment, amapiano. It’s mature and sexy and has a nice housey swing to it with a bit of funk and bass too. She’s also an upcoming guest on the second series of the Assurance Podcast and I’m really excited to hear about and share her perspective as a Namibian DJ in South Africa.”

“This track has to be one of my top songs of recent times. Griffit Vigo is one of my favourite producers and responsible for some indisputable gqom classics like ‘Ree’s Vibe’. This track, ‘Run’, is definitely a classic for me. I love the build up and the echoing shrill sounds at the beginning and when the first drop finally comes it honestly makes me go a bit insane. I came across this track during lockdown and I’d been anticipating playing it out once parties and festivals started up again and I haven’t been disappointed.”

“‘Cool Cool’ is probably my favourite from Mina and Bryte’s cross continental dancefloor banger packed EP. When I first heard it, it passed my twerk test straight away. I love Bryte’s energetic delivery; it's so infectious as is the hook. I also enjoy Mina’s brass samples and drum patterns that play throughout the track, they’re a great basis for a certified club banger.”

“The Melbourne duo Sleep D have been a recent find for me and I’ve enjoyed exploring their discography since. Centro is very funky and weirdly twerkable (it passed the twerk test too). It has a sleepy quality to it with the chords, but the drums and other elements give it a kind of defiant energy. The song feels like that 6am energy that you get at the end of a long club night stint, where a sense of euphoria meets the need to pass out.”

“This track comes from a really cool compilation from Brazil based label ZONAexp. Not only is it a lifeline for artists who have been affected by the pandemic, but there are so many amazing tracks on it, very much representing Latin American and principally Brazilian sounds. I’ve picked out a track by Valesuchi, an amazing Chilean DJ and Producer who is based in Rio and who was also an amazing guest on the Assurance Podcast. I feel like this track would sound amazing on a massive dancefloor. It’s got a dark energy, but is also really exciting and I can imagine this song ping ponging off the walls in a club. I’m looking forward to playing it out." 

“I love this track because it’s loud and cacophonous. I enjoy songs that are borderline uncomfortable to listen to and this is one of them. It sounds a bit like an electronic malfunction but it has a heavy 4x4 beat running through it that makes it a hard dance track. I also enjoy the really abrupt ending and it’s just cool to hear these experimental sounds coming out of East Africa: Kampala, Uganda to be exact.”

“I’ve recently found myself indulging in more Brazilian club sounds such megatron and baile funk, so this track from TONCALi & AKA AFK felt like perfect timing when it came out on Club Yeke. It’s a short sharp burst of energy and grime, and is part of this really exciting ‘brime’ movement in Sao Paolo, which fuses UK grime’s grittiness with percussive afro funky rhythm of Baile Funk. I love this combo, I think it creates a really stank energy (which is great).”

“I don't think there’s a set of mine that exists that doesn’t include a Gafacci track. He just makes the most exciting, intelligent and danceable stuff and has a big impact on my musical direction. This track is the latest one of his that I’ve bought. It has a kind of minimalist energy to it at times and then it comes alive at others. It’s quite frenzy-inducing and incorporates some gqom patterns which I enjoy.”

“I heard this track out at a party the other day and the second the DJ put it on I went up to the decks and took a picture of the song (I asked the DJ of course) and then bought it the second I got home. It’s just such a hard track and chaotic too, I especially love the breakdown at like 1:26, it just gets better and better from that point on. Clearly right now I’m enjoying a lot of dance focused music.”