December: 7 bass & club music releases you need to hear this month

Mina 'Satellite' (Self-released)

A few months after her debut EP was released on Enchufada, London DJ and producer Mina has returned with another stellar collection of sunny, infectious tracks influenced by dance rhythms from all over the world. Along with Tash LC and DJ Chin, she runs a club night called Boko! Boko!, which highlights Afropop, kuduro, dancehall and other generally funky genres. ‘Satellite’ takes inspiration from the music mentioned above, and you can’t help but move your hips at first listen. It’s Mina’s fullest and most fleshed out body of work yet, with steelpans galore and vocal features from two members of the Sierra Leonean youth community engagement organisation WAYout. Single ‘Mama’ and ‘Body Good Riddim’ use deep, undulating synths to propel the melodies forward, whereas ‘Balafon Bata’, featuring Sillati, samples a range of Sierra Leonean percussion to keep the mood going. When it comes to beatmaking, Mina always knows which exact sound to utilise at which moment, and this tight approach to production is what sets her apart.

8/10