Ransom Note

Earlier this year we brought you the news of an innovative new collaboration which pairs two producers with unique perspectives on sound design and music.

Prequel Tapes is best known for his noisy, disjointed approach to techno and the rougher drone inspired fringes of electronica and IDM. He has released music on the likes of Mannequin and R'COUP'D.

Meanwhile, dBridge remains one of the most innovative figures in UK bass music culture having released cutting edge downtempo, jungle and drum 'n' bass over many decades for the likes of Creative Source, Exit Records and Metalheadz.

Now the two have collaborated on a new EP for Midnight Shift, a record label which continues to connect generations of well versed music heads through its consistent release of high quality techno, bass and the weirder, heavier fringes of dance music. This new EP pairs two unique, creative minds. The result is a mutant hybrid showcasing the importance of collaboration and innovation.

Following the release we asked kindly whether the pair might be up for recording a mix together, an alternative insight into their own collections and musical tapestry. The result is an old school mixtape, reel to reel vibes with integrity at its core.

Surpises are good, surprises are interesting, surprises are what keeps things exciting. It's always nice to receive an email from a musician or an artist who offers something different.

Vonpsyche is a self described "hip-hop producer and obscure underground rapper". However, this mix couldn't be further from this, across many years he has dabbled in downtempo electronica and has since channeled new energy into a project in which to focus these creative ambitions.

Based in the West Siberian Plain he channels elements of abstract ambient alongside house and techno into poignantly crafted soundscapes and musical wanderings. This mix is perhaps a suitable representation of that - a subtle affair which captures a certain energy and emotion, a mix built as much for thought and self reflection as it is the dance. There is a delicate precision and a unique understanding in the mixing and in the track selection, we hope that you appreciate and hear this in the same way that we do.

Manchester remains one of the most crucially vibrant cities in dance and electronic music in the UK. However, it's influence on funk, soul, R&B and beyond remains as prominent and integral as ever. The roots if you will.

One DJ who has uniquely intertwined both branches of music is Tarzsa, she has become one of our own personal favourite DJ's over the past year, her regular NTS show has guided us through many a hazy afternoon with her delicate selections made up of Jazz, Hip Hop and the associated spaces in between.

This weekend she will join us for a special daytime party at Ducie Street Warehouse, an opportunity to hear her showcase her well versed knowledge of music and curation.

We invited her to record this mix wwhich she describes as being made up of "lots of electronic soul and soulful house layered with jazz grooves."

We can dig it.

Earlier this year marked the release of a new EP by a producer who has made a remarkable transformation in respect of sound design and creative process. When chatting with Joe, who operates under the guise of Remotif, he describes himself as having realised his process and the type of music that he wants to make. It's always inspiring to observe the evolution of a musician and in his case this year seems as though it may very well be definitive in his progression as an artist.

Based in Bristol Remotif has released music on the likes of air miles and his own Familiar Strangers label. 2021 is set to be busy for the up and coming producer with a number of crucial releases lined up in the coming months.

As a DJ he draws for an eclectic selection of house, techno and beyond. He pays particular focus to textures and melody, using it to often guide the narrative of his sets, telling a story through sound. This mix showcases Remotif at his very best as he meanders between genres into a climax with a big Friday night feeling.

Based in South London, Kit Grill is a producer, label boss and radio host on NTS. Since 2013 he has run his own imprint, Primary Colours, which has acted as an outlet for his own music and that of a few friends.

He tends to create material which sits somewhere between the fringes of balearic, ambient, krautrock and downtempo. It nods to pioneers of the infamous 'fourth age' but remains very much rooted in the present and future of electronic music.

His radio show also acts as an outlet in which to showcase music which has inspired and influenced him - the material featured is often broad, eclectic and highly listenable. This mix shares a close likeness.

Moonilena was introduced to us by Andrew at Huntleys & Palmers who rather interestingly told us a story about how he was in fact introduced to Moonilena.

"I met Moonilena in Stockholm a few years ago. Pedrodollar told me that she plays weird music and we'd get along - and he was completely correct."

This in itself was a fabulous introduction and automatically caught our attention, alongside how good her latest ep on the sub label Belters was.

The Swedish producer and DJ is one to watch and looks set to release some wonderful music and that much is clear by her impeccable taste which is on display in this short, sweet mix.

Bristol has been a home to many a creative and musician, it's played a pivotal role in the emergence of many artists whom have influenced and shaped electronic music. Twinsen in based in the city and has spent hime honings his craft, mostly self releasing experimental leftfield material which has done well to have caught the attention of labels and counterparts.

However, his most recent outing, an EP on All Centre is arguably his most notable music to date. A more club come anti club affair which see's him experiment with electronic textures and sounds. It's introspective and odd, an EP reminiscent of early works by STL or the sludgier side of Joey Anderson's back catalogue. It's good stuff.

We invited Twinsen to show us around his musical collection and heritage as part of the Monday is Okay series, he does so in good form.

It's hot in Portugal, the electronic music scene is as lively as it's ever been with a whole new wave of producers, musicians and dj's pushing futuristic sounds which draw upon elements of local musical heritage and culture as well as house, techno and bass music.

Silvestre is perhaps one of the best known names to emerge in recent years, he's become a key figure in the progression of hybrid sounds emerging from Lisbon and has released music on the likes of Diskotopia, Meda Fury and Secretsundaze. He also runs Padre Himalaya, a record label upon which he himself has appeared alongside friends and producers from further afield.

When Silvestre asked us if he could record this mix we couldn't say no, he's one of the most exciting new talents to come around for a while and his music is hot property.

This one is a little bit special - Orlando Voorn remains one of the most significant producers and dj's of a generation having released a sprawling catalogue of material across almost thirty years. In the 90's his focus was placed on techno and purpose built club tracks, this is perhaps what he is best known for. However, in between this there have been explorations into IDM, House and beyond with endless monikers fulfilling his creative aspirations. The Living Room, Format, Fix, Baruka and The Nighttripper are but to name a very few.

Orlando Voorn played a pivotal role in the emergence of Detroit techno in Holland - he pioneered a sound which evolved in the underground communities of the US and helped bring it to life overseas. Collaborations with the likes of Blake Baxter and Juan Atkins cemented this further.

In the present he remains an unsung hero of the underground, still furiously releasing music at a relentless pace. His latest outing is on Kompakt and showcases his longstanding relationship with old school electro and Detroit techno in fine form.

We invited him to record a mix for the site, it's blistering and fast paced straight from the off - you have been warned.

Next up in the series is a mix from an up and coming producer and dj who operates beneath the guise of Witch Trials.

A mysterious figure with a penchant for dark, futuristic sounds which touch upon elements of UK bass, techno and ambient.

Omar is the founder behind record label Myryrs and an artist we anticipate to be hotly tipped for this year, with a new EP due for release late next month via the imprint.

This mix places emphasis on dark, foreboding textures and would likely destroy sound systems all over the UK if the circumstances presently permitted. Seriously, this one goes in.