Ransom Note

General Echo is a monthly night in Walthamstow, North London. Held in an unassuming upstairs pub called The Victoria it’s a modest but welcoming reggae / dub disco with a relatively seismic sound system and reputable Guinness, all tied together by selectors and guests who acknowledge the innovation, mutation, spirituality and psychedelia that characterises Jamaica’s most influential export. In the night’s curation there’s a recognition of what producers like King Tubby, Lee ‘Scratch’ Perry and Prince Jammy first pioneered yet equal appreciation for the many evolutions and leftfield turns that have transpired since.

You’re as likely to hear the cult and the contemporary as you are the classic, from Wackies 12”s, On-U Sound rarities and the latest Equiknoxx outings to dusty 7”s of vintage ska, rugged roots and treasured lovers rock. Recent nights have played host to the likes of Warrior Queen, Domestic Exile and their next sees Gizmo from Berceuse Heroique manning the rig. More than most General Echo represents a forward-looking celebration of reggae and dub’s timeless futurism, both its unabating relevance and its continued reconstruction.

Here they provide an alternative homegrown history of dub music as realised on our very own humdrum island. As a mix this is more instructive than most charting how dub has influenced many hearts & minds on these here shores, sending inimitable shockwaves through post-punk, grime & beyond.

General Echo is a monthly night in Walthamstow, North London. Held in an unassuming upstairs pub called The Victoria it’s a modest but welcoming reggae / dub disco with a relatively seismic sound system and reputable Guinness, all tied together by selectors and guests who acknowledge the innovation, mutation, spirituality and psychedelia that characterises Jamaica’s most influential export. In the night’s curation there’s a recognition of what producers like King Tubby, Lee ‘Scratch’ Perry and Prince Jammy first pioneered yet equal appreciation for the many evolutions and leftfield turns that have transpired since.

You’re as likely to hear the cult and the contemporary as you are the classic, from Wackies 12”s, On-U Sound rarities and the latest Equiknoxx outings to dusty 7”s of vintage ska, rugged roots and treasured lovers rock. Recent nights have played host to the likes of Warrior Queen, Domestic Exile and their next sees Gizmo from Berceuse Heroique manning the rig. More than most General Echo represents a forward-looking celebration of reggae and dub’s timeless futurism, both its unabating relevance and its continued reconstruction.

Here they provide an alternative homegrown history of dub music as realised on our very own humdrum island. As a mix this is more instructive than most charting how dub has influenced many hearts & minds on these here shores, sending inimitable shockwaves through post-punk, grime & beyond.

Here is something to brighten up your Monday, an eclectic assortment of tracks from British composer and musician Danny Mulhern. In the coming weeks he will release a new album on 1631 Recordings. Titled 'Reflections On A Dead Sea' the album sees him work alongside the London Contemporary Orchestra who have worked previously with the likes of Actress, Radiohead and many more. The album is an ethereal assortment of sounds and looped orchestration which is almost cinematic by nature.

When we invited Danny to record a mix he indicated that he was not a DJ as such so what we have here is a rather brilliant playlist of tracks which have helped inspire and determine a path forwards.

Here is something to brighten up your Monday, an eclectic assortment of tracks from British composer and musician Danny Mulhern. In the coming weeks he will release a new album on 1631 Recordings. Titled 'Reflections On A Dead Sea' the album sees him work alongside the London Contemporary Orchestra who have worked previously with the likes of Actress, Radiohead and many more. The album is an ethereal assortment of sounds and looped orchestration which is almost cinematic by nature.

When we invited Danny to record a mix he indicated that he was not a DJ as such so what we have here is a rather brilliant playlist of tracks which have helped inspire and determine a path forwards.

There are few who can claim to have been as active and dedicated to the progression of dance and electronic music as that of the Chicago based producer, label boss and disc jockey Mystic Bill. The revered producer maintains a low profile but has lived through some of the most interesting and progressive periods within dance music culture. From the glory days of Chicago and Detroit to the present he has observed with a watchful eye, taking in music with a keen sense of intrigue and a solitary sense of thought. As a producer he has released on the likes of Trax Records, Relief and Crimes of the Future. He has recently launched a new label inspired by the early days of The Musik Box and Ron Hardy - Gavin Guthrie was the first artist enlisted to appear.

There are few who can claim to have been as active and dedicated to the progression of dance and electronic music as that of the Chicago based producer, label boss and disc jockey Mystic Bill. The revered producer maintains a low profile but has lived through some of the most interesting and progressive periods within dance music culture. From the glory days of Chicago and Detroit to the present he has observed with a watchful eye, taking in music with a keen sense of intrigue and a solitary sense of thought. As a producer he has released on the likes of Trax Records, Relief and Crimes of the Future. He has recently launched a new label inspired by the early days of The Musik Box and Ron Hardy - Gavin Guthrie was the first artist enlisted to appear.

Many artists talk a good talk about being forward thinking, constantly evolving and pushing their personal boundaries, but few follow through on this like Armon Bazile. As Aybee, Bazile has put out record after record of deep, innovative house music that draws in influences from across the musical spectrum but that’s only part of the picture. He’s released under countless other monikers, held down one of the best labels in the business for over 15 years, and has managed to cross the divide to become an accomplished filmmaker as well. Having just teamed up for an excellent jazz funk excursion with legendary musician Lars Bartkhun I caught up for a chat with Aybee and we took in a fair bit of territory. We covered his chequered musical past, his creative process and how he’s translated his talents into filmmaking. Now Armon had a heavy cold when we were recording this, so extra props to him for soldiering through and still managing to come across eloquent, insightful and humorous in spite of all the coughing and sneezing.

Many artists talk a good talk about being forward thinking, constantly evolving and pushing their personal boundaries, but few follow through on this like Armon Bazile. As Aybee, Bazile has put out record after record of deep, innovative house music that draws in influences from across the musical spectrum but that’s only part of the picture. He’s released under countless other monikers, held down one of the best labels in the business for over 15 years, and has managed to cross the divide to become an accomplished filmmaker as well. Having just teamed up for an excellent jazz funk excursion with legendary musician Lars Bartkhun I caught up for a chat with Aybee and we took in a fair bit of territory. We covered his chequered musical past, his creative process and how he’s translated his talents into filmmaking. Now Armon had a heavy cold when we were recording this, so extra props to him for soldiering through and still managing to come across eloquent, insightful and humorous in spite of all the coughing and sneezing.

This week marks the return of one of the most interesting record labels and parties to emerge from London. World Unknown has become an institution of sorts having offered opportunities to many up and coming musicians across a period of time which has observed a vast array of transition within dance and electronic music. Andy Blake has been a prolific member of the London community for a generation and is responsible for having run some of the most distinctive and singular parties across the city in recent times. From shopfront raves to obscure warehouse nightlife he has raised the standard, encouraging promoters to think outside the box.

We invited him to contribute to our mix series as he showcases sounds of significance. Enter World Unknown....

This week marks the return of one of the most interesting record labels and parties to emerge from London. World Unknown has become an institution of sorts having offered opportunities to many up and coming musicians across a period of time which has observed a vast array of transition within dance and electronic music. Andy Blake has been a prolific member of the London community for a generation and is responsible for having run some of the most distinctive and singular parties across the city in recent times. From shopfront raves to obscure warehouse nightlife he has raised the standard, encouraging promoters to think outside the box.

We invited him to contribute to our mix series as he showcases sounds of significance. Enter World Unknown....