Coyote Winter Solstice Mix

 

isitbalearic..? · Coyote Winter Solstice Mix

Track Of The Day: HMC - Body Mechanics (Juice Records)

From 1995’s ‘Southern Cross EP’, ‘Body Mechanics’ is a singular acid track that doesn’t highlight the 303, if that’s at all possible. The focus is the decaying riff of an electric guitar, put through an electronic mangle and draped over a linear beat. It’s ‘LSD’ that gets the most plays from this EP, and it is probably all-round the best track. But there’s a power and a contrasting deterioration that this tune brings together so well. When it was released everything on this EP was caned by the discerning techno DJ, and it’s tempting to say it was “very much of its time”. However, all six of the tracks on ‘Southern Cross’ have aged very well and still sound fresh.

Track Ot Yesterday: The Black Dog - Age Of Slack (Black Dog Productions)

I wasn’t aware of the first few Black Dog releases, like this one, for example. I was still listening to a lot of hip-hop and finding my way into rave culture via much more commercial paths. Tracks like this though, and the already featured ‘Virtual’, were staples on the UK rave circuit, and were instrumental in merging the sound of Detroit with a more home-grown interpretation which has gone on to become every bit as influential. You can hear the beginnings of hardcore in these grooves, and Ken Downie was a driving force behind this. He has left behind a great legacy. 

Track Of The Day: deWaal - Timelapse (Ooz)

I’m a bit late to the party where Ooz is concerned. Better now than never though. And ‘Timelapse’, from deWaal’s ‘OOZ05’, is the type of track that I have going through my mind from dawn til dusk. It’s a self-propelling grenade. On the edge as far as the tempo is concerned. I would pitch it down a bit meself; it’s got that tech house feel of old though. Tempo -wise reminiscent of releases from days of yore on Wiggle, Surreal, etc. And straight out of sarf Landan as well. Has Palace Vinyl taken over as the spiritual home of these beats from Swag?

Dietroiter Electro Mix DR151125

 

DIETROITER · Dietroiter Electro Mix DR151125

Track Of The Day: Debussy - Arabesque No.1 and No.2

I have now entered full collapse in on myself mode.

Track Of The Day: Rhythm Invention - Inventures In Wonderland (Warp)

Coming out in 1993 and, therefore, probably bubbling over with analogue warmth, ‘Inventures In Wonderland’ has aged very well indeed. It’s a flange over a kick with a drum roll. A little simplified, but that’s about it. It’s genius is the way it navigates its own intensity so efficiently, and manages to build without revealing its current position. It’s not at all remarkable, but it is brilliant, and that means more on the dance floor.

Nicolas Lutz @TheLotRadio

Track of The Day: Swag - Fantasy (80's Late Night Fanta Dub) (Version)

I am a huge fan of Swag, aka Chris Duckenfield & Richard Brown. Their tracks are incredibly well-produced, funky and percussive. Three very important qualities I think you’ll agree. However, I’ve picked this remix, oddly maybe, because it is the work of JT Donaldson and Tim Shumaker; two American producers who had their paws on everything at the turn of the century and became ubiquitous insofar as late night jazzy house vibes were concerned. And that in no way makes them floaty or noodly. Most of what they did was very danceable and combined low end elements in a concoction of addictive syncopation. Therefore, remixing Swag was a match made in heaven. This track saunters along at the blistering pace of a bucolic squirrel and has a nice sleazy undertow. Which is nice.

Track Of Yesterday: B12 - Hall Of Mirrors (Warp)

From their seminal ‘Electro-Soma’ album, another from the ‘Artificial Intelligence’ series, ‘Hall of Mirrors’ shows, as much as any track I can think of, how much a debt early European electronic dance music owes Detroit. It’s almost like B12 are a tribute band. The good thing being that you can get away with a lot more in this context than you can in most others. And there’s nothing wrong with wearing your heart on its sleeve.

Eric Cloutier & XDB Live at DOWN, Globus, Berlin 13.12.2025

 

Eric Cloutier || Palinoia · Eric Cloutier & XDB Live at DOWN, Globus, Berlin 13.12.2025

Track Of The Day: Bassomatic - Set The Controls For The Heart Of The Bass (Virgin)

One of the stand out tunes from my first year at university. It’s no surprise that it’s William Orbit who is behind it, and that it still sounds so good. It doesn’t seek to overwhelm, like so much did at the time, and feels minimal in its approach. It’s one of those tunes that feels like it got everything just right, even the exotic snake charming noises. A great coming together of what was percolating at the time. Vocals, break beats and proto-Goa trance squelches come correct. ‘Set The Controls For The Heart Of The Sun’, as well as ‘Dark Side of The Moon’, was enjoying a renaissance at the time, and could be heard across campus. This is a nice update, which pays homage to its influences.

Track Of Yesterday: Baxter Dury - Albarone (Heavenly)

Well, this is good. A sort of funked up shaggy dog story done in the only way Baxter Dury knows how. Nothing takes away from the main focus, which is the vocal. The backing vocals are great as well. However, although I like this track, it is maybe a bit too full-on. I think it would be better stripped down a little. It’s a minor quibble though, and something I’ll probably have forgotten about the next time I listen to it. Anyway, the Parrot & Cocker Too remix is arguably denser, but goes down a wall-of-sound route, which is a little bit more out on a limb. Great work all round from Mr Dury who, even though he does sound like his dad, remains distinct.