Ransom Note

Matthew Tavares is the founding member of perhaps one of the most definitive, cutting edge bands in funk, soul and jazz of the moment. Instrumental group BADBADNOTGOOD have been influential in a new wave of musicians and artists who blur the lines between hip hip and the old school sentiments of 70's and 80's music. They have become a household name playing festivals and venues worldwide to critical acclaim.

As a musician in his own right, Matthew has also released music independently and alongside alternative collaborators. He has formed a close friendship and relationship with Brighton based imprint and record label Mr Bongo which makes perfect sense. Here he has contributed to compilations and released material alongside the likes of Leland Whitty.

Rather unsurprisingly he has impeccable taste. We asked him to record this mix showcasing some of his own personal musical influences and points of reference. The result see's him include music by the likes of Odyssey, Richard Hawley, Art Ensemble of Chicago and more.

And here we are, closing out the year with a mix from a relative newcomer whose music has travelled well this year.

A Psychic Yes is a producer with whom some will be familiar and others not - with releases on the likes of Tech Startup, Kalahari Oyster Cult and Schloss his sound is uniquely individual. It draws upon a wide collection of influences and moods, pairing elements of IDM with playful UK bass, techno and beyond.

Each of his releases are woven as a wonderful tapestry of odd glitches, melodic flutters, strange percussion and experimental electronics.

This mix is a representation of his sound and shows us a glimpse of what's to come in the near future for what is a very promising artist.

Seeing out 2020 is a dj from Mexico, Paurro is a rising talent, a selector who blends heritage alongside cutting edge electronics in a way which is abstract and unique.

Paulina Rodriguez represents some of the most intelligent, cutting edge dance and electronic music to emerge from Mexico and her carefully orchestrated sets span a breadth of styles and sound which touch upon music native to the country and sounds from far beyond.

Her sets are always fun, wild and enthusiastic. They have a fiery Latin energy and the pulse of techno often drives the experience forwards with relentless pace and flare.

We expect to be seeing a lot more of her in the new year and as such felt she was the perfect candidate to see out our 'shine a light' on series this year.

Musclecars are infamous New York City party purveyors - two dj's and producers with an exuberant reputation and excellent taste. 

Brandon Weems and Craig Handfield have been running parties for many years and in 2018 launched 'Coloring Lessons'. The party has brought a lease of life to New York's dance community and has become a stalwart of house, techno, disco and beyond. It is described by the pair as follows:

"While the party and sound is not genre specific, it is heavily focused around house, disco, jazz, and soul, embracing the musical elements of black and brown ancestors."

Now they are about to release a new compilation celebrating the series, they have invited the likes of Levon Vincent, Beta Librae, Kai Alice and many more to join them on the inaugural release on the label. 

We invited them to show us what they're all about with a mix ready and set to go.

Maurits Verwoerd is a producer and dj based in Amsterdam, in recent years he has released music beneath the guise of Nachtbraker, a carefully assorted catalogue of house, breaks and general oddball club music.

His label has become prominent and his music has found its way into the bags of a broad array of dj's worldwide - it does not sit politely within one such sub domain of electronic music but leaps forth boldly into all. Across the years he has released music via the likes of Heist, Dirt Crew, Quartet Series and more.

There is a sense of fun and personality at the core of his music and he brings this energy to life when dj'ing himself, as you are about to find out. This mix was recorded recently and reflects a humble, present state of mind which twists and turns as it skips between breaks, garage, house and beyond.

Earlier this year a new project emerged from Amsterdam made up of a pair of familiar producers operating beneath a new guise. Darcey Electronics is made up of Darling and Tracey, two stellar musicians in their own right who have each released music in various capacities over many years. Collectively they have released music on the likes of Aus, Safe Trip, Dial, Intergraded, Off Minor and Voyage Direct.

They both live and breathe music and operate amidst a collective of inspiring Amsterdam producers who have established their own take on dance and electronic music - channeling influences from house, techno, ambient and IDM. It is the latter two genres which perhaps best informed the pairs first release under the collaborative moniker. Released on Pleasant Life earlier in 2020 the EP was well received and widely supported, showcasing abstract experimentation and playful melodic flurries which based upon the set below seems to be a hallmark of their taste and style.

Anthony Hart doesn't f*ck about, for many years he has worked tirelessly producing music under various namesakes, perhaps most prominently as Basic Rhythm where he released music on the likes of Sneaker Social Club, Arcola and Planet Mu.

It is Planet Mu with whom he holds a close relationship, the record label has been pivotal in the development of British electronic music, meandering between the origins of rave and soundsystem culture through to the present modernisms of grime, footwork and beyond.

East Man is a relatively new moniker for Anthony, he began to release music under the guise in 2018, using the new alias to collaborate with MC's and work amidst London's ever growing grime scene - all the while drawing upon influences from dancehall, jungle and techno.

He is politically outspoken and deeply rooted in the communities which help breathe life and inspiration into this musical scene. He knows about the importance and value in speaking the truth and his music lends itself to storytelling and the opportunity to challenge societal pressures and norms.

This year he released a new album on Planet Mu, "Prole Art Threat", a record which perhaps represents his sound and voice best.

Here's something a little bit different this Wednesday, an eclectic mixtape from two exiled twenty-few-year-olds from Santo Domingo. Mauro and Gonzalo produce music as Error Subcutáneo, channeling elements of electronic influence alongside jazz and percussion infused sound design.

Their sound sits somewhere between the midst of downtempo and draws upon balearic influences, albeit with an abstract, experimental approach. 

Earlier this year they released a beat tape which caught our attention and in all honesty deserves wider acclaim. Finely tuned, grainy experiments which meanders between hip hop and the odd. 

We invited them to record this mix and in all honesty weren't entirely sure what we might get. To be honest, that is what makes the project so exciting. This is a mix made up of entirely original material from the pair, a real treat.

Through his musical pursuits Rotterdam-based DJ and producer Najel Monteiro is exploring the African rhythms that soundtracked his youth, but approached through a contemporary electronic lens.

Whilst these influences are present in much of Monteiro's music, like his inspirations that came before him - principally Detroit techno pioneers Jeff Mills and Robert Hood - his mission is to use his music as a vehicle to “challenge the status-quo”, channeling this into authentic and forward-thinking electronics.

With several releases under his belt, landing on the likes of DNA REC, Forte Techno, Induxtriall, Motech Records and most recently on Carista’s Modern Intimacy compilation, we expect it won’t be long before we’re hearing a lot more of Monteiro’s name.

Ahead of the release of Modern Intimacy, we invited him to take care of this week's Shine A Light On mix. So lock in and get yourself aquainted...

In February of this year photographer and producer Daniel Herrmann and his partner, singer-songwriter Kristina Kristofferson, released their first collaborative outing on our cassette offshoot Bytes. The album was a beautiful collection of long, meditative and atmospheric soundscapes made during a winter spent at one of their homes in the Taunus forest, on the outskirts of Frankfurt.

Individually they've both had their fair share of musical accolades; Daniel as Flug 8, who has been a regular on Ransom Note Records for the last few years, and Kristina as Mono Girl, who formerly composed music for Nintendo.

Stimulated by an introduction from a friend to Börft Records, the pair have created a mix in homage to the Swedish label, recorded in their woodland home...