[Above image credit: Katja Ruge]
Reading Nick Höppner’s recent Playing Favourites feature on Resident Advisor reaffirmed that few share his passion for music. Listing the likes of Moment by Gang Starr and You’re Living All Over Me by Dinosaur Jr. among his favourite songs was a refreshing change from a series that often seems a competition in picking obscure/rare tracks. Given that he also mentions his love for garage and it’s influence on his early DJing career within the feature, it was no surprise to see him release this mix of his favourite 2-Step tracks only a week or so later.
Like Pearson Sound’s UKG set at Block 9’s London Underground within Glastonbury’s South-East corner (a definite future Mix To Dig if it gets released), this is a set which keeps a high intensity throughout. The ups and downs are provided through the variety of breaks and samples rather than numerous breakdowns or changeups as is often done in a house/techno set. The result is a collection of infectious tracks that any listener would find it difficult to not get the urge to get up and start moving to.
If you are looking for something to break up the plethora of house/techno mixes out there be sure to check this out along with Höppner’s both honest and engrossing, Playing Favourites feature.
Written by James Acquaye Nortey-Glover
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