GUEST MIX SERIES

Henna Onna is a Yerevan-based artist who has been surrounded by music since childhood. The diversity of music had led her to reach out to new horizons of playing DJ sets, and later she has found her way to come out as a producer. Her music is released on labels such as Kindisch , NC4K , Closer To Truth, Nite Grooves, Lisztomania, House Salad Music, LTD,W/LBL...

"This mix is a fusion of all the house sounds I love, nostalgic and fresh - the sound of my summer packed into an hour!" - Melle Brown

One of the most promising producer/DJs to emerge in recent years, Melle Brown delivers glimmering house groovers with a sound that is distinctively hers, continuing to turn heads since her debut EP project ‘Blossom’.

The London native has become a respected industry figure, interviewing the likes of Nile Rodgers and Fraser T Smith for Apple Music, taking part in a producer mentorship programme run by Fred Again and Kamille, alongside becoming a Defected resident DJ after winning their Unsung Heroes 2022 competition.

As well as broadcasting her own show on Reprezent Radio, December 2022 saw Melle covering BBC Radio 1’s Future Dance for Sarah Story.

Tipped by Mixmag as one to watch for 2023, this year will only see the soul-oozing DJ and producer continue to rise.

Artist: @melle-brown

Nail’s first gigs as a DJ were at school, offering to save the school money instead of booking the local mobile disco. He played for free, spinning early house classics (and the odd Erasure remix). It's in his bones...

He eventually started playing the clubs in his hometown of Nottingham in the early 90s, including sets at the legendary DiY events at places like The Marcus Garvey Centre. His first release came on the DiY comp Strictly 4 Groovers on WARP records in 1993, the now classic track Cassiopeia. The Beeston EP followed in 1994, the first of a number of EPs for DiY, as well as his debut album Big D’s Lounge in 1996. A remix for Inner City was also a highlight of this busy mid 90s period. Nail has since had records and remixes with Classic, Robsoul and Mosaic among many more, including his own label 89:Ghost, started in 2014.

After taking time out from house music to focus on Bent, with Simon Mills, he returned to DJing in mid 2010s, playing all over Europe at venues such as Fabric, Tresor and Metronome.

He has new tracks coming out soon on labels such as Bid Musik, Groovphoria and Odour Recordings, and it's with great pleasure we welcome him into the SB guest mix series.

"It’s all stuff from this year, some heavy dub stuff and some melodic bits too!"

It's the middle of August, the height of summer here in the UK... and for a change, we're not moaning about the weather (although we're still talking about it). To accompany the hazy afternoons spent dreaming of being by a Balearic poolside, we have the perfect soundtrack, albeit from a slightly unconventional source: the Michigan magician John Beltran. Join him on a selector's journey of his favourite Ibizian classics, and source a pina colada while you're at it. You're going to need it.

Be sure to check out John's new album on the magnificent Oath https://oathcreations.bandcamp.com/album/serendipia

Artist: @john-beltran

We consider ourselves quite chameleon at SlothBoogie. Happy to move our DJ sets, label and guest mixes into the various corners of the house music church to provide variety and depth in flavour.

Matt Edwards epitomises this approach. With many monikers to call upon, he can mould himself as necessary to satisfy an array of musical interests. From the Chi-town hi-nrg of Matthew E, through to the Balearic psychedelia of Quiet Village, the spectrum is covered.

So who better to mark our 400th (!) edition of the guest mix series, under the guise of his most recognised alias, Radio Slave.

"It’s been a real pleasure recording this mix. Putting together just over 60 minutes of underground gems, old and new including some of my all-time favourites like Boris Duglosh’s remix of Syncbeat’s 'Music'.

And I was trying to capture the vibe of my recent closing at the Panorama Bar in Berlin. 7am Monday morning vibes where anything goes!

This was all done on my laptop, using an Akai APC40 controller and mixed in Ableton, which isn’t so different to using CDJ’s and after I made my selection, I recorded the entire mix live with very little editing.

I should also mention I mixed this on a little island called Jerolim which is in front of Hvar in Croatia. Enjoy!"

After years of learning jazz piano, Elisa Elisa fell in love with the French electronic music scene in her hometown Lyon. Where the urge to absorb the Berlin vibes became unbearable!

In 2012, she landed in one of Berlin´s most legendary clubs, Watergate, to write her master's thesis about House Music. Since then, she has been playing worldwide, spreading her love and passion for music.

"Party and music are about the community, sharing and cherishing the moment." Coming from the dance floor, she sees those moments as powerful as meditation.

"Kicking off my set with my upcoming release "Coco Caribe“ on Nervous record, this track is an ode to my favourite country in the world Costa Rica, where I soaked in the beautiful sounds of the Caribbean last winter! Followed by some fire tracks from some of my favourite producers, mixing the styles I love from Afro to Acid house! And Closing the set with my upcoming track on Club Bad by the amazing Melé, "Let Go My Ego“, an invitation to unleash your mental barriers and cherish the moment!" - Elisa Elisa

Hailing from Madrid, Rafa Santos has been part of the music industry since 1997, spreading House and Electronic music in all forms.

Influenced by Jazz, Soul and R&B sounds, vinyl lover and selector, his musical style is drawn with strokes from Chicago and Detroit, full of hypnotic chords and grooves.

CEO and A&R of MATE, a vinyl House and Deep-house music label focused on classic and underground vibes. Currently the most active and vital national ambassador of house music outside our borders. It holds artists such as Byron The Aquarius Javonntte, Vick Lavender, Garrett David, Tilman, Reggie Dokes, Gari Romalis, Shaka, and Nico Lahs...

"This set was recorded at home near a cold beer! 2 x Technics SL-1210 and a Tascam recorder were the culprits. I selected some new records and old gems for the occasion. Enjoy the lovely deep grooves and hot vibes."

Max Sinàl has been releasing and DJing for 25 years under several aliases since starting on East London’s pirate radio circuit.

The Max Sinàl guise was born in 2023 to coincide with the launch of Soul Quest Records, a label founded by Max and two close friends. This new direction lets Max concentrate on making and playing the music he loves. Influenced by jazzy Detroit house and mixed with a distinctive London edge.

"The mix was recorded in one take at home on 2 x CDJ2000nxs2,s, 2 x 1210’S and a Condesa Carmen V. The vibe is mainly laid back deep house with a few of my productions thrown in and the first play for something forthcoming on my label as well as some of the favourites that never leave my box and some new bits."

From early years, music and body movement were strongly involved in Silvia's life. Starting with a small record collection in 2013, she began her trajectory as a DJ in Quito, being one of the few women in the scene. Her profound interest in House, Disco, Acid, Breakbeat and Techno has always marked a very determined style in her sets, incorporating different melodies and shades from various decades (especially the 90s). As a DJ, Silvia looks to connect with her listeners in a friendly, interesting and easy way.

"This set was recorded at home along with my cats, looking to share some of the pieces I’ve been djing lately representing special and energetic moments through dancefloors these past few weeks. I’ve been focusing on storytelling, trying to take listeners through a journey with music. Expect percussive, acid and colourful house notes all around 😊"

This mix was recorded using an Isonoe mixer, 2 Technics MK2 turntables and 2 Nexus 900 Pioneer cdjs.

Russ (DJ Dribbler) lives in Ibiza, DJs at Pikes, Paradise Lost, Ibiza Sonica, OpenLab, WOM, Standard Hotel and Malanga Cafe. He has written two novels which have achieved cult status on the underground scene, "Harry's Kebabs" and its sequel, "The Take Away". He was a resident DJ at Pure in Edinburgh, Tour Dj for Orbital in the 90s, spent 10 years djing in NYC, was a resident on Amsterdam's Red Light Radio for 4 years and is now a resident at Pikes.

"I met Ken (Slothboogie) recently, when he was over DJing at Pikes. We spoke about Edinburgh. He knew of Pure. We chatted about the influence and contribution from Edinburgh in the 90s to today's goings on. It is a vast diaspora of artists, producers, writers, record shops, distributors, DJs, promoters and punters worldwide. I live in Ibiza now, I've lived in many countries and cities, and I'm lucky enough to hear and play alongside some world-class DJs every week. You always keep learning.

I spent years hounding black music from the USA, and then suddenly, the penny dropped with Americana.

It was all down to JIM, aka Jim, aka Ron Basejam. The harmony and melody and pounding soulful drive to the music, it had it all. I play that in the first hour. In the second section of the mix, I play a lot of tracks sent to me by friends. Andy Kidd lands mixes every year and they go through DJs here like a dose of the measles. Random House Project is also worth a mention this year for the Slave edit on there and other remixes. It's great to be able to share them with you."