sessions

Deeming the tone on our 10years anniversary podcast series – Brussels-based artist, Fatoosan, conveys her knowledge and connection to hip hop through an hour-long mix; effortlessly merging rare genres along the lines.

Hailing member of Belgium’s trendsetting Supafly Collective, you’re advised to an unconform selection, influenced by a musically enriched lifetime experience and lots of record-spinning throughout various lands; including ours.

For our usual ice breaking question; When, Where and How was this mix recorded?

I made it in my man’s studio at home, during my pauses when I was working on my students’ exams. I mixed it with Serato and turntables. I selected tracks from diverse genres and incorporated some Belgian artists because I think they are really talented but not easily noticed outside our little country.

How would you relate it to us?

I met Avneesh last summer while in Mauritius, am very grateful he invited me to make this mix. I completely fell in love with your magnificent island and really loved spinning there. Sunny Mauritius and its lovely people were in my mind throughout the whole recording!

Can you share with us the earliest memory you have about Hip Hop and the record that maybe acted as the turning point for you?

The earliest I remember is discovering this genre through the radio, I was very lucky as my father thought it was important for me to have my own little hi-fi system since quite young; and it was always on. The turning point was definitely Ill Communication by Beastie Boys when I was 15. I was so touched by all the instrumentals and beats structure, I think from there started my sensitivity to rich musicality in rap.

Last year, us and many islanders have had the chance to witness your wholly colourful way of mixing; how would you describe your process of tune selection and your mindspace behind the decks?

When I have to select tracks for a mix or a party, most of them are the ones that make my heart bump or my mind dream. Since I first started to record radio tunes on tapes during my childhood until my deejay activity, the same modus operandi always guides me: whether it’s a dark, a crazy or a beautiful vibe, when I listen to a track I love, it’s like everything is possible in my life while listening to it! I’m so grateful to the artists who make that possible, it’s like magic and I want to share that. When I spin at parties, I want to give the audience the same feeling I felt when hearing those tracks for the first time.

Your are from the unwavering Supafly Collective! Really love your work on the weekly radio show on Bruzz (ex FM Brussels) and in breaking norms on the excess of ‘masculinity’ in the Hip Hop world. How did the collective come together?

8 years ago we met through singer JoBee who noticed we all had a common love for rap music and hip hop culture. We started the collective with the 7 of us (Mikigold – DJ, Young Mocro – DJ, Vaneeshua – DJ, Lizairo – photographer, Jee Nice – Magazine Editor living in Germany, JoBee and myself), the passion got us working together and then the friendship came. We really achieved many things thanks to our group’s energy, we would have never done this individually! I was a backing vocalist during almost 8 years in different bands befo...

Music that makes you daydream seems to be the very music that actually renews the self. Tone down and modulate to this very special set of tunes that extends to lengths you’ll ephemerally reach on this one-hour gem put together by one of our esteemed trendsetters. The london-based artist, also our recent guest at the “Island Selectors” event in Mauritius and Phonica Records’ wizard, Jeanne; brings along much love and engages on an exclusive mix calibrated just for your spaced-out experience.

Music that makes you daydream seems to be the very music that actually renews the self. Tone down and modulate to this very special set of tunes that extends to lengths you’ll ephemerally reach on this one-hour gem put together by one of our esteemed trendsetters. The london-based artist, also our recent guest at the “Island Selectors” event in Mauritius and Phonica Records’ wizard, Jeanne; brings along much love and engages on an exclusive mix calibrated just for your spaced-out experience.

When, Where and How was this mix recorded?

This mix was recorded at the Docks Studios in London, my friend’s studio in Dalston. I used 2 MKII turntables, a Xone 92 mixer, and I put some bird samples on a CD and played it with the CDJ (first time I was using one, was pretty nervous haha).

How would you relate it to us?

It took me a while to know what “10 years of electrocaïne” meant to me. I’ve known electrocaïne and Avneesh for more than 6 years now. We became friends around our passion for music and, that’s the idea behind this mix. It’s a very personal one because it’s not the kind of music I usually play out, and thought it was the perfect place to start something different. I know that it’s in good hands and I can experiment a bit more! So instead of looking backwards to the past few years and play music that we listened to 6 years ago, I wanted to look forward and play things that I’ve never played before but that I love and means a lot to me.

Your set is made up of such different textures…like for every genre that’s in there, there’s a track radiating its intensity to it. How did you pick your tunes?

The idea was to blend different genres, I can’t stick to one! I think the idea behind this mix was something for my friends and family, all of them living around the world. I downloaded a sample of a bird singing in Singapore… There’s music from Australia, France, Italy, Germany… There’s one of my grandfather’s records in there, a Kraftwerk one. Before he passed away he gave me all his record collection, mainly jazz and classical. And then I found a Kraftwerk record and went to see him and I was like “Wow Papy you listen to Kraftwerk that’s amazing!” and he told me “Oh yes I bought this when it came out, really not my thing” and we laughed. He passed away 3 years ago, and I always have one of his records in my bag. It was important for me to put it in this mix for you.

What first drove you into music?, like when you knew that this was it.

It took me a while to realise that that’s what I wanted to do professionally, but music has always been part of my life. I’ve been obsessed with electronic music for a long time now! I used to listen to Daft Punk when I was a kid, and then started to listen to electro-house when I was a teenager. A friend made me discover techno and that was the gateway to a whole new world! From there moved to house, and then the samples used there and discovered funk, soul, and disco… Jazz was introduced to me by my grandfather, and now with my job I get to listen to new music every day, which is amazing!

As you were developing your own mixing style, which djs inspired you the most?

Wow there are so many I don’t know where to start! I’m a big fan of Antal, I saw him play at

Taking shape from vinyl archives and hailing as one of the swiftest beatmakers from Switzerland, Funky Notes brings along his record crate to our 10yrs anniversary podcast and; be assured that the groovement you’ll be put onto this one-hour gem, is not just a series of coincidences but an intended endeavour by one of our favourite producers.

Funky Notes also gave a thought to top this listening experience with an exclusive giveaway; a track sampled from one of the most soulful Clyde Wilson, a track which was carefully built and which Funky chose to share with the electrocaïne audience.

Tune in and give the first-ear to this set; with latest never-heard works strictly sketched out on an Akai MPC 2000XL and of raw-gear samples used by Funky Notes. Also, don’t forget to grab the bonus giveaway ‘IDONTCARE’ to add up to your collection.

Taking shape from vinyl archives and hailing as one of the swiftest beatmakers from Switzerland, Funky Notes brings along his record crate to our 10yrs anniversary podcast and; be assured that the groovement you’ll be put onto this one-hour gem, is not just a series of coincidences but an intended endeavour by one of our favourite producers.

Funky Notes also gave a thought to top this listening experience with an exclusive giveaway; a track sampled from one of the most soulful Clyde Wilson, a track which was carefully built and which Funky chose to share with the electrocaïne audience.

Tune in and give the first-ear to this set; with latest never-heard works strictly sketched out on an Akai MPC 2000XL and of raw-gear samples used by Funky Notes. Also, don’t forget to grab the bonus giveaway ‘IDONTCARE’ to add up to your collection.

Where, When and How was this mix recorded?

On the 2nd of December at my home studio; using a Roland SP404, an Akai MPC 2000XL and some vinyl-records. Except for the vinyl, it’s all music I did and comes straight from the above samplers. I used Cubase to record the whole set and it was more or less recorded in one take.

How would you describe it to us?

It’s a mix of my newest works, mostly unreleased and raw material. Starting off slow and relaxed, going into the well known “Funkyness” towards the middle and getting a little more chilled again towards the end. It’s a blend of Instrumental music and original samples (of which 2 are included). Since this was my first try in an 1hr podcast, I hope you people will like it.

Your new record is out on Haus & Baum, and wow; that’s a catalogue of beats sure to get anyone grooving… What equipment did you use to produce these pieces? and is there any gear you’re faithful to?

I produced the entire EP on my Akai MPC 2000 XL except for the last track which was produced on an Akai MPC 2500. I also sampled a ton of vinyl, used my SP404 for some effects and also my MicroKorg, for basslines mostly. The 2000 XL is my weapon of choice, as you can tell by the podcast as well. I just really love the sound of this machine and the workflow I have developed on it.  

Concerning the title of the record, how did you encounter ‘Les Sapeurs’ culture found in Congo?

I watched a documentary on the whole culture and I was fascinated. So I got more and more into the whole matter and I thought ‘Sapeur’ could be a great name for a release.

Do you remember the first time you got into music production?

I got into music production in particular in 2009, when I wanted to start making beats on an MPC and I couldn’t afford one. So I bought an MPD (which is “only” a controller”) and started using it along Cubase. Later on, I would save up enough cash to buy my first MPC (a 1000) which was at the end of 2010.

What music influences notably pushed you into producing your own music?

Mostly the Rap music I was listening to, prior to 2009 (well, let’s say in between 2000 and 2009). I always loved Rap from the US and also the beats they had, so I wanted to be the guy who lays this ‘foundation’ for rappers. Then through DJing, which I’ve started and still been doing. I knew a lot of artists from that and when it comes to the influences on the beats: J. Dilla, Pete Rock, DJ Premier are just to name a few…! Also after a while the people on Soundcloud were a huge inspiration and support as well.

On Switzerland’s music scene, what are your thoughts and what do you love most about it?

I think that the Swiss music-scene is a nice mix of a lo...

What could beat fresh waves, by a ‘non conform-to-norms’ podcast with Mauritian groovecrafter and DJ, Cream Cracker; whose influence ranges from Detroit’s heavy bass to light djembes from Africa. This podcast is in short, all that one need to a non-stop bounce, brace up! Discover more about him through our lil’ chat below.

What could beat fresh waves, by a ‘non conform-to-norms’ podcast with Mauritian groovecrafter and DJ, Cream Cracker; whose influence ranges from Detroit’s heavy bass to light djembes from Africa. This podcast is in short, all that one need to a non-stop bounce, brace up! Discover more about him through our lil’ chat below.

Where, When and How was this mix recorded?

The mix was done at my place using time code and some rare vinyls.

How would you describe it to us?

Well it’s actually what I listen most at the moment , a bit of everything,  mostly beats and a soul thang; it’s also a shoutout to music and cultures that inspired me, like telling a story by ‘talking’ with my hands ;)

Your mixing skills are on point! What notable experiences would you attribute to this polished and refined dexterity? Or was it more something on the long run?

I think it’s on a long term; like  to never back down with work, work and work… well first of all you need passion and secondly practice, the rest will flow.

Can you relate your first time being behind decks?

Well Damn, that was long ago loool… didn’t have them skills but had the same love for music, vinyls and turntables.

How did you pick your monicker?

Well “Cream Cracker” is the short way to describe my auto-portrait, such as the ‘Cream’ is for the good part and the “Cracker” for the dark one…

This set is all about a medley and a detailed blend of grooving tunes, could you share with us, a bit, of your early influences?

Influences: Q Bert N Craze for the skills, Jay Dilla for the beats, Mos Def for the lyrics, and afrobeat, funk, house, urban music mix with sum tropical cream…, but hip hop and its evolution is what my influence is mostly based on… I remain Hip Hop at heart.

You run your own collective called The Bakery, and more recently a venue.

The Bakery started 3 years ago in 2014, combining street artists, graphic designers, djs, musicians, vjs and visionists. Our aim is the consolidation and development of artistic and cultural structures to ensure the promotion of visual arts and music. Recently we’ve teamed up and expanded into a real bakery in Cascavelle giving us a space to host and promote artists and friends in a cozy setup with live and DJ sets.

The Kartel Soundsystema, could you tell us more about it?

Kartel SoundSystema is a community of rudeboy based in Mauritius. Our mission is to keep it real by bringing  their heritage music such as Seggae/Reggae/Dancehall and Hip Hop to different forms including Toasting/Drum N’ Bass/Ghetto Dub/Footwork and Futurebeats. From rare grooves to new moves, using the latest technology to build on the past, simultaneously conscious of the current climate. A real Synthesis of Dub and Dance music aesthetics, pulling from the enduring and mutating DNA strands of each to create something that’s beyond a mere mixture of styles.

Tracklist

Frankie Cutlass- Old School Radio (Interlude)

Yasiin Gaye – Travellin’ Man Pt. II

Romare – Down The Line (It Takes A Number)

Mr. Carmack – Humbled
Tall Black Guy – Cole Marrom

Stro Elliot – Soul II Stro

Kickin’ again after many festivities, our 10th anniversary podcast series follows its course with the unique Farah Azizan better known as RAH. It’s all about a set ranging from jazz aspects to some rare sounds of the world and more. Being a core member of the Darker Than Wax collective, RAH’s got the right wavelengths from around the world to tune you up for an exclusive listening experience. More than an electronic maneuver, it’s an eclectic gem! Discover more about her path in our short interview below.

Mauritius-based DJ and producer, Jason Rault, features on our anniversary podcast and he’s down with some serious grips. With this house & techno oriented podcast, he sets the pace to get you movin’ n groovin’ your day off with some new old gems… so better take off your slippers and let the tunes flow your way.