A Review: Jambo's 2016

Release:
Pangaea - One by One

Another Hessle Audio release, another instant classic. In my opinion any track off of Pangaea’s debut album would be worthy of track of the year. One by One, my choice, meshes a beautiful sample, with harsh cascading drums, dark minor chords played by a very annoyed violin, and a high pitch synth melody which in my opinion sounds exactly like the doors closing notification sound of Overground train. This combination produces an album highlight which I hope to hear in all its glory on a powerful club soundsystem in the near future.
N.B. I did write this on the Overground.

Mix:
Midland - Essential Mix 2016

Midland is a producer/DJ at the top of his game. As well as being responsible for the summer festival anthem, Final Credits, he produced a mix, unrivalled for thought and intensity that easily takes the title of my mix of the year. The amount of time and effort that was spent on compiling this mix is evident throughout. His unreleased tracks (at the time) fit in perfectly. Decompression suite acts as a perfect transition between C/Or – Bells, Walking and the classic Grauzone – Eisbaer. While Double Feauture calms the mood following Sfire – Sfire 6, allowing Final Credits to steal the show. Other unexpected tracks which standout within the mix include Commix – Japanese Electronics (Instra:Mental Moog Remix) and of course the Midland signature, Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons – The Night.
If you are willing to listen to an 8 hour podcast, or even take it in snips as I did, listen to the MCDE vs Jeremy Underground at Robert Johnson mix. If you are willing to spend a tenner, purchase yourselves the Objekt Kern Vol.3, for great tracks that are flawlessly mixed and delivered at a relentless pace. If you are not willing to do either, then this Essential Mix will definitely do just fine.

Event:
Omar-S & Moodymann @Studio Spaces 2016

First of all, here’s a full event review completed by the Mantissa crew already…
As a massive fan of these two Detroit legends I had big expectations for this night. After a slightly delayed start it lived up to and surpassed all expectations, producing my best night out this year. Omar-S played his usual combination of Omar-S, Detroit Techno and Acid House. From classic Kerri Chandler – Climax 1, to his now infamous edits of Bone Thugs-N-Harmony – Thuggish Ruggish Bone meshed with his tracks Be Yoself and Thank You For Letting Me Be Myself. These edits are now a must see for an Omar-S fan, and without fail produce a collective “wooooooo” from the crowd.

Moodymann took over around 4:30, introducing himself with a classic “What up doe!” and playing his eclectic variations of Italo-Disco, Chicago House and Modern Soul. Several of his tracks could not be more relevant to 2016, such as Mirage – No More War and, Liem – If Only. There was also a heartwarming tribute to the late Colonel Abrams with the amazing, Trapped acapella being played by Moodymann. They then got together for a back-to-back with Flo Real for the closing parts of the evening, clearly enjoying themselves and giving their all for the crowd who remained. A great club, great music with everyone enjoying themselves till 6:30 in the morning, what else could you want?

To read more click on the links below to read some of the Mantissa crew’s take on 2016:

• Kish
• Tom Allman
• Gavin
• Ben
• Frank
• Max