The best DJ mixes of the year 2022 so far - April - Music - Mixmag

Jon K ‘Live from Sugar Hill - Club Night Club’

It’s rare to pay for a DJ mix these days, given the wealth of free-to-stream podcasts and radio shows all over the internet, but trust us when we say this one is worth it. Jon K is a special DJ. Moving through 90 minutes with a clear sense of direction and guile, he serves up enjoyable leftfield cuts that will either have you on the edge of overload or duly sent into mania by its peak.

Buy it here

River Moon ‘TUNNEL Mix 001’

We can’t think of many ways TUNNEL could have launched its mix series better than this debut instalment. Cutting chaotically from rave classics from The Prodigy to warped edits of the Black Eyed Peas, as one example among an absolute avalanch of nonstop thrills, it will surpirse and delight you throughout.

Introspekt ‘Balamii - April 2022’

LA’s Introspekt rolls through an exceptional two hours of garage in this essential radio show on Balamii. All the classics elements are there - shuffling beats, reese basslines, sugary vocals - with plenty of contemporary cuts from the nu-skool of UKG. Unmissable.

Finn ‘Bassline House Special on NTS’

“It's sort of like northern garage,” Manchester-based DJ and producer Finn explains at the beginning of his hour-long foray into the beloved, and much sidelined world of bassline house — a special treat for listeners of his monthly Friday slot show on NTS. Split between more modern cuts and some classic Niche mixes from Big Ang herself, the special meanders from roomy piano cuts to naughty basslines with that kind of relentless rhythm and energy that “sounds just as good coming out of your phone in the park as it does over a big soundsystem” — as Finn puts it. There’s a Justin Timerblake edit, some DBX, even ‘Givin It Love’ from John Buccieri. The perfect mood lifter if you ever needed one.

Job Jobse ‘BBC Radio 1 Essential Mix’

Having truly cemented himself as the master of synth-laden nostalgia and transcendental high-energy rave — an BBC Radio 1 Essential Mix from Amsterdam’s very own Job Jobse has been something we’ve all been excited for. Across two hours he creates a blissed-out combo of some ‘90s dancefloor feelers full of piano euphoria, grinding 808s and delicious trance drops that feel just as encapsulating now as I’m sure, we really have to imagine, they did then. We dare you to stick this on and be able to feel your toes by the end.

Minimal Violence ‘The Face Mix: 54’

time being completely despondent with how downright shitty everything is — Vancouver-based artist Minimal Violence’s punk inspired mix for The Face feels pretty apt. It’s all harrowing drums and dystopian horror synths that will have you shuddering while simultaneously moving to the beat. Cleverly employing tracks such as JASS’ ‘Turbo Olé’, Jade 4U’s ‘That Boy’ and Xopylsm’s ‘ACAB’ allow MV to move through harsher techno, encapsulating trance and bouncing hardcore. It’s Blade Runner meets Blade meets Mad Max.

Daughters of Frank 'Rhythm Sister 50/50 Transmission #22’

Comprising 95% of music from female and non-binary producers, Daughters of Frank’s ‘50/50 Transmission mix feels like an exercise in self-care. Kicking off with the soft, lapping waves of ‘When It’s All Over’ from Fauzia Feat. Kelela— the mix features soothing, tempered tracks from the likes of Octo Octa, LCY, KG and Eliza Rose. There’s moments of calm with tranquil R&B and leisurely breaks to some more up-beat UKG and sultry house cuts. Stick it on, you deserve it.

LEV ‘Balamii - April 2022’

This mix by LEV is carefully curated, and interlaced with well-fared classics and hidden gems. Seamlessly transitioning between jazz, soul, funk, hip hop and electronica - it’s the perk up and motivation you need to get you through whatever you need to get done.

DJ SWISHA ‘Juanita’s 420 mix’

April is the month of 420, so it’s only right to include a 420 special mix into our favourite list. This one has it all, you can hear everything from jungle beats to groovy house rhythms, and the mix naturally hits different when you’re stoned. We crowned DJ SWISHA as one of our top breakthrough DJs of 2021, and this mix proves that his spot on our list is more than well deserved, giving smooth transitions, exciting drops and funky reworks.

Gilles Peterson ‘Boiler Room x Dommune x Technics’

Serving up everything from Roni Size to Kokoroko to his own rework of Lionel Loueke’s ‘Butterfly’ - this mix is everything and more Gilles Peterson fans expect from the master selector himself. As part of a fundraising series by Boiler Room, Gilles Peterson’s contribution provides something for music fans from across the spectrum, from jazz to jungle beats to soulful house. Mixed on vinyl and played at London’s Sounds of the Universe record store, this one sees Gilles indulging in what he does best.

Jamz Supernova ‘Fact Mix 853’

Jamz Supernova is a flag-bearer for the club, and this mix proves that. Always clued up on the latest and hottest trending bangers, Jamz includes ROSALÍA, Joy Orbison, Mella Dee, Floating Points and other current club favourites in this high-energy, racy mix that’s guaranteed to get you moving.

Cinthie ‘DJ-Kicks’

Cinthie is a vinyl DJ with a penchant for funky jams, so when she was tapped by !K7 to take on its next DJ-Kicks mix, the Berlin-based producer put her expansive collection to the test. Brimming with timeless house belters and disco cuts, Cinthie’s 23-track mix highlights some of the artists who helped her adopt the classic genres originally. “When putting my tracklist together, I wanted to make sure to shine a light on my old heroes as well as the new kids in the game,” she said after the milestone release.

p-rallel & Laelo Black on NTS

Two regulars stopped back by the NTS studio in Hackney this month, pulling out all the stops along the way. Kicking off the takeover, p-rallel dropped every track from his freshly released EP, ‘Forward’, before mixing it into more brand new content from amapiano and gqom favourites including Vigro Deep, DJ Lag, and Teno Afrika alongside NTS resident Laelo Black.

Physical Therapy ‘RA.826’

Physical Therapy - AKA Jungle Jerry, Kirk The Flirt, Peter Pressure (or any of his many monikers, for that matter) - knows how to put in a good shift behind the decks. When he took on the latest mix for RA this month, Physical Therapy kept up his playful reputation, throwing in a couple of cheeky numbers including an acid-infused remix of The Stone Roses’ 80s classic ‘I Wanna Be Adored’, and a couple of spicy 2-step and UKG bangers for good measure.

Dan Shake ‘MIxmag Cover Mix’

Our cover star delivered an hour of uptempo goodness fit for any pre-party goings on this month. Hitting it off from the word go, Dan Shake’s Cover Mix traverses both old disco and house classics to post-‘10s jams, including Mr. G’s ‘One For The Headz’ and his own remix of T-Connection’s ‘Do What You Wanna Do’, giving an example to, in his words, the “many flavours” of dance music influence throughout his career thus far.

Chippy Nonstop ‘The Face Mix 55’

The party-starter Chippy Nonstop dropped some absolute bangers in this mix. From the Bhad Bhabie edit of Dagga’s ‘Identiied’ to Narciss’ classic ‘What’s Poppin’ eventually floating into the female version of ‘Sexyback’ by Fibra Vrgov, she’s gone above and beyond. It’s a mix that will for sure get your heart racing.

Naty Seres ‘SPND20 Mixtape’

Commencing with the roar of a crowd, this mix makes you feel like you’re standing in the centre of a rave. Sirens ring out before it drifts into the deep breaks and soft vocals of ‘Manic’ by Backdraft. Later on the mix travels through some gooey sound effects to a surprise chuck of dub with tracks such as Anokky’s ‘Dubplate Suitcase’. Throw this on at a house party and your night will be sorted, especially with ‘Lady (Fitness Version 135 BPM)’ by EAST END slowly ending the mix.

Axcess Amnesia and Jenny Sayaka Nono ‘CODE IN MY HEAD MIX 138.75 BPM’

There’s an outrageous but appropriate intro to this. Shouting that this mix should be ‘played at high volume’, it lets you know it’s going to be a good time. Most tracks are techno-oriented yet have a pop feel, for instance DJ Irene’s ‘I Do Both Jay and Jane’ and Kate Project’s iconic ‘Wuthering Heights’.

Hessle Audio feat. Ben UFO & Four Tet on Rinse FM

Two hours of the Hessle Audio show featuring Ben UFO and Four Tet; it’s a dream come true. A suspense tingling intro folds into percussive tracks that get the BPM raised. Mysterious and atmospheric tracks arise with CiM’s ‘Numerique’. Around 20 minutes in there is a change of tone as the beat starts to pick up playing ‘Chaos In Creativity’ by QuiQui, which is also where a harsher bass begins to drill its way into the mix. Overall, it’s an experimental two hours where you can expect to hear a bit of everything. A pick ‘n’ mix of sounds.

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