Bonafide dance music tastemaker MistaJam ushers in the arrival of his new Boom Box EP on Trick with some hefty party records for Beatport’s Playlist of the Week.
After an amazing summer with loads of mind-blowing shows in Ibiza and across Europe, my focus for the Autumn now shifts to putting out some of the music I was road-testing at these shows. This season kicks off with an EP of two ‘90s rave-inspired bangers on one of the most forward-thinking Underground Dance labels of the moment: Patrick Topping’s Trick label. “Boom Box” and “Stage 3” are both collaborations with Newcastle’s EMEXL, whom I met through a Data Transmission live stream, and both have been absolutely killing it in not only my sets but also sets from the likes of Solomun, Patrick Topping himself and Eli Brown.
This playlist is a little snapshot of the kind of bangers I’ve been playing around both “Boom Box” and “Stage 3”: high energy, hefty party records from across the broad spectrum of house, techno, hard dance and trance. It feels like post-pandemic, the dance floor is open to higher tempos, driving melodies and heavier beats and this playlist, like the Boom Box EP delivers that in abundance! From absolute stone-cold classics like Jeff Mills’s timeless “The Bells” to Tartan’s tongue-in-cheek Bollywood bonanza “Ayo!” via my remix of the rework of the 2002 Safri Duo trance classic “Played-A-Live (The Bongo Song)” by TwoColors; these are all records I’ve been playing to discerning dancefloors in Ibiza, UK, Athens and beyond. I hope this collection I’ve curated does for you what they’ve done for me: brought the ENERGY!
MistaJam, EMEXL – Boom Box [Trick]
This was my second collab with EMEXL after meeting on a Data Transmission livestream. He started it in his home studio (that he built in his outside toilet… don’t ask) and when he sent me the initial idea, I flipped! We managed to work on it together over the course of a week and I tried an early demo during a set at Pacha in Ibiza and the crowd response was ridiculous! I sent the early demo to Patrick Topping, who played it out at Parklife Festival, and now it’s coming out on his label!
Jeff Mills – The Bells [Axis Records]
One of the most futuristic Techno records of all time – it’s hard to believe that it was written, produced and released in the mid-90s! This one has never failed to set the dancefloor alight and deserves to be heralded as one of the best Electronic music records of all time. Love it!
twocolors, Safri Duo, Chris De Sarandy – Cynical (MistaJam Dub Mix) [Virgin]
When I saw that German duo twocolors had sampled Safri Duo’s 2002 Trance classic “Played-A-Live (The Bongo Song)” for their record “Cynical”; to be honest, I was gutted I didn’t get to that sample first as it brings back many memories for me from the early 00’s. Luckily, I was asked to give it a re-work, so I brought some of the original energy back to the record with a 2023 sonic twist.
MistaJam – When (Dub Mix) [DANCE NRG]
One of my earliest releases that I’m most proud of! Based around a sample of a vocal from Mai Tai’s ’80s banger “History,” the dub mix of “When” was the mix built for the dancefloor. With a harder, more Techno edge than the original and a piercing, hypnotic synth line that builds – I’m hoping including it in this playlist will mean more people will discover it. One of my back catalogue’s hidden gems!
Tartan – Ayo! [Tartan Records]
This record is a rollercoaster! A Bollywood sampling blockbuster from a mysterious producer; it’s been in my sets over the summer and always gets a huge reaction. Just when you think you know which way the record is going to go, the energy flips and takes it higher. From the Kraftwerk-inspired bassline to those rave pianos – whether you play it at its original tempo or pitch it up to fit into the mix, it just adds that extra level of euphoria to a set.
Vlado – Freddie’s Warmup [BABA]
This has been this summer’s tried and tested club tool for me. Based around a sample of Freddie Mercury’s infamous vocal warmup from the iconic Live Aid concert back in the ’80s; Vlado has flipped it into a big house club banger with an infectious groove and bassline. Want to take the energy in your set up to 11? This is the tune to draw for!
Mau P – Dress Code [Black Book Records]
I’m a massive fan of Mau P’s sonics, and “Dress Code” feels like the perfect next step for him as a producer. Released on Chris Lake’s groundbreaking Black Book Records; this one is not only perfectly crafted for peak-time dance floor damage but also is the engineering reference so many other producers will be using for years to come!
Uffie, Pharrell – A.D.D.S.U.V (Armand Van Helden Club Mix) [Ed Banger Records]
The great thing about having a career as long as I have is that sometimes, records you championed when they first came out come back around! And after rinsing it on radio back in 2010, it’s so nice to see the immediate response the disco-tinged BANGER gets in the club in 2023. Armand Van Helden is an icon. Pharrell is an icon. Ed Banger is an iconic label. Say no more!
GHSTGHSTGHST – Reach Out (feat. Lauren L’aimant) [Stress Records]
I’ve been following GHSTGHSTGHST’s music for years – even before he was GHSTGHSTGHST! He’s not afraid to experiment with genre and this one sees him putting on his Trance pants and churning out a peak time banger. Keep an eye on him. He’s got some heat!
MistaJam, EMEXL – Stage 3 [Trick]
This is Boom Box’s harder-edged, more driving Techno cousin! Taking the 90’s rave elements from Boom Box and turning them up to the maximum, the track is complimented with vocals from Newcastle’s legendary MC Techno T. The DJ deserves noise and respect every time this one is dropped.
