- Words Darcy Culverhouse
Dropping his double single, 'Just A Beat / Kitty Kat', Byron The Aquarius, selects 10 of his favourite jazz-infused house bangers.
'The Birth' by Specter
This right here, doe! This is the morning jonz for me. Just pure meditative listening when I'm hiking around in Alabama.
'Can't Take It Anymore' by Les Sins & AceMo
I've always been a fan of Acemo and Toro y Moi aka Les Sins. This joint right here does it for me. Those kick-a$$ drums took me on a shroom journey when I was in Berlin: walking the streets at night, seeing the graffiti and people on the streets just playing techno and jamming on loud speakers.
'Time Machine' by Kitty Ca$h, Thundercat and James Fauntleroy
Definitely a summer jam for me. I worked with Kitty Ca$h in LA, I've been a fan of hers since then because of her growth in production. Thundercat is the the baddest! And James Fauntleroy, what else can you ask for? The laid-back, percussive rhythms are my shit.
'Lights Down' by Nez
Nez is also someone I worked with in LA with Felix Da Housecat. I went to his studio and played joints for his upcoming album, which Felix helped with. It blew my mind seeing how they created those joints in a few days. But 'Lights Down' is one of my favourites. It reminds me of Chicago meets Kraftwerk meets Gary Numan meets 2050! It's so raw, how I like the jams!
'Pills' by Seth Troxler
Seth Troxler is the don! This 'Pills' track blew my mind! There's something about the drums and the melodic, driving 303 that just takes me on a heavy trip. When I'm playing this in Europe or the USA, it gives me the Chi-town vibes, very raw! Rhythms that just ride the night.
'Don't You Want My Lovin' by Jackmaster
There's something special about this one right here. It just takes me back to those '90s raves in Detroit & Chicago. This a special joint to play with that raw, nasty bassline and the vocals do the track justice.
'Just A Beat' by Byron The Aquarius
For 'Just A Beat', what else can I say! It was a vibe. I was coming back from a European tour and the layover got delayed in LA, so I thought that I might as well kick it with the homies. Jean-Michel Lapointe and I hit Elton John's keyboardist's spot with Kim Burrell in the hills. For the track, Jean and I were going through what we had on our hard drive, then took some loops we made, and put it together like a surgery. We merged both our styles, it was legendar! That's where the name 'Just A Beat' came from. Jean-Michel is the truth, a great producer from Montreal that knows his shit, and our collaborations come together so organically.
'Too Close' by Nosaj Thing & Jacques Greene (feat. Ouri)
I've always been heavy on London's jungle and DnB. I heard this jonz right here at Nosaj Thing's studio before it came out. It's got banging drums and a bassline that just takes your insides out. I knew I had to add this to my list while I'm travelling to play.
'Grand National' by Regal86
I'm a big Fan of Regal86. He's been releasing some banging shit. I've definitely got to choose this song for my favourites. It gives me that warehouse vibe. Memories of the raves of early Jeff Mills, high energy rhythms that keep you wanting more.
'Light Tunnel' by Paranoid London
I remember seeing Paranoid London when I was in London some years back. Their live show with the 808 knocks the backs out. But this 'Light Tunnel' gives me just that pure, nasty, raw percolator Freaknik Atlanta vibes. Definitely a party clapper for the Gs.