Selects: Mr G

There's absolutely no doubt about it, Mr G, is an absolute don. His live shows are electric, his tracks have been played by pretty much every notable selector around and when he delves into mix territory, he smashes it.

Last year he released the stunning 'Night On The Town?' LP and 2016 will see him play a whole host of gigs and hopefully drop more music via his stunning Phoenix G label. One thing we do know is that the imprint will release an EP from Jayson Wynters later this month, the first time G has released any other music that's not his own.

Colin McBean's knowledge is vast and his legacy bright, so when it came to asking artists to curate a Selects playlist, he was at the top of our list.

His selections cover all corners of the musical spectrum, from hip hop to techno and from house to funk and soul, Mr G has it covered. With some of the most in-depth track descriptions we've had, this could be our favourite playlist to date. This is wicked.

Check it out below and to listen to our other exclusive playlists and premieres, head over to our Apple Music page here

Funster is Mixmag's Digital Music Editor, you can follow him on Twitter here

Floating Points 'For Marmish' (Pluto)

I've been following Ben's music from afar for a while now. I came in at 'People Potential', which knocked me sideways with the amount of soul, production and general wonkiness, so it was a real treat to find this track on Ben's first artist album - so much beauty and emotion within… I go back to this often, which for me is rare. Beautiful.

Jamie Woon 'Sharpness' (Polydor)

I'm a soul boy at heart and love ballads in particular; collecting and diggin far and wide on the hunt for "the one". I went to do my show on Rinse FM and the DJ before played this and I was like "wtf is that?" I had to wait awhile to get it but this is UK. Soul at its absolute finest. Smooth!

Erykah Badu 'Back in The Day' (Motown)

My go-to lady of soul - Lady B does it in a way like no other. She's rude but not nasty and really strikes a cord with me so hearing this from an older album still rocks my world. I was more than happy and even more so when I realised it's on Motown. Neo!

Kendrick Lamar 'How Much A Dollar Cost' (Interscope)

I used to love hip hop hard but it began to lose the very thing I loved which was the soul and old loops/breaks in there that give it the soul 'n' funk. So when this was recommended to me I was like "yeah, yeah. I'll pick it up on a quiet week record shopping." Anyway, that day came and I got to hear what the fuss was about - ohh my days! Next level game changing hip hop… What an album and on all levels my album of 2015 by a mile. Street!

Mr G 'Platonic Solids No.5' (Rekids)

I've had some tough testing times in my life and the beauty of writing from the heart means some tracks come back at you from all sorts of positive angles (gigs, Internet, fans) but this one's from a time where I went potty from insomnia meds. I still feel that power within whenever it's mention or played, so just for that reason it's here to show what I've overcome and where I am now. Proud!

The Chosen Brothers 'Mango Walk' (Rhythm and Sound)

Got to have my old-skool reggae in everything I do as it's at the very heart of who and what I am and this is a corker. I missed this and went hunting 'til I found it; proper reggae music talking about one of my favourite things – mangos! Haha. It's my middle name after rum. This riddim is full of heart and soul and all those over-heating amps, haha. Heritage!

Bumble Bee Unlimited 'Funk For Days (Underdog Edit)' (Mercury)

I love being turned onto or finding stuff I don't know, so while on tour in Singapore I ended up on the top floor of a great hotel with a boat on top - infinity pool, disco bar, food and a DJ dropping some serious funk. I loved it when he dropped this and needed to go check out what it was. Funnily enough he knew who I was and had been at the gig days before. Back home hunting I realised it's an edit, as the original is really short. This is a bad tune! I love everything about it - disco bunny G out. Proper!

Randolph 'Golden Days' (Still Music)

Well anyone who knows anything about me would know I'm into Randolph but on one of my diggin' trips I came across an album I didn't know only to find this track on it - world class and would give a whole heap of man a good run for there money. I love music like this – it's not an easy listen but heaven when you lock into it. Class!

Amp Fiddler 'Love And War' (Genuine)

Francesco (John Swing) turned me onto this - next level house and an anti-war song. I feel deeply, especially in these times. I missed this but eventually found a Moodymann private press version that's over 10 minutes, which is the perfect length, as I never tire of this. More soul and passion you can't find for this ol' soul boy, Dope!

Dayme Arocena 'Madres' (Brownswood)

I'm a soul boy (can't say that enough) at heart that loves an infectious groove. This hit me hard as the groove is incredible on its own, let alone combined with the Cuban vocalist. It pulls me into a strange trance, but the only problem is it's way too short – hah! It really is a big moment, very little can touch this gem. Proper left turn. Trippy!

Mike Dehnert 'Treillis' (Echo Chord)

I love my techno and no-one can test Mike at his absolute best. I can't begin to tell you how much I love his sound, which is easily recognisable; crunchy, raw and powerful - coming like a steamroller! Some of the sounds he makes are the way I love 'em - bass heavy, driving and solid, yet the funk train is still rolling heavily along. Sheer class that can destroy any dancefloor in the right hands. Hipflex.

Giuseppe di Stefano 'Una Furtiva Lacrima' (?)

I went through hell and back when my spar Lex found he had a golf ball-sized tumour in the brain. He was an actor but also a great singer and a lot of what I know about life - who I am, what I could be - comes from him. He would sing this to me very quietly like a lullaby (as it always touched home) so when sadly he lost the battle and the day arrived to lay him to rest there could only have ever been one choice. This tune is always in my head. Haunting!

Monolake ' Zero Gravity' (ICM)

Henk for me is a genius of all things digital. I was on this from day one and finally getting the album and setting it up right with a nice glass of rum I was shocked at the digital picture and detail it gave. Mind blowing. Water running down walls – what the fuck?! Next level and then some! But still drenched in soul and funk. Future!

Sylvian 'I Surrender' (Virgin)

My mate Robin turned me onto this. I just missed when it came out, but as much as I love a ballad I prefer it to be melancholic, so this just hits the spot and for me is one of his best and most special moments. It takes you to a far flung island and leaves you there in solitude thinking about life, love and the universe. Deep!

Bootsy Collins 'Munchies For Your Love' (Warner Bros)

Love Bootsy, especially when he does a ballad tripped out and cheeky like no one else. Don't listen too hard ha! But then you should be able to have fun with music too and he is one of the masters of that, all behind the most amazing array of musicianship. Timeless…