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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Entertainment
Harriet Gibsone

Melé: ‘Early Basement Jaxx has been a massive influence on me’

The track I’ll be opening my next DJ set with
River Ocean ft India Love & Happiness (Dream Sequence)

Listen to the track.

It’s just a cappella, Rhodes piano and strings for three minutes and then it kicks in, classic Masters at Work-style. It’s the perfect set opener if the DJ before you was going a bit hard.

The track I always play to rescue a dancefloor
Gat Decor: Passion

Listen to the track.

This is a lot of people’s favourite dance record of all time. The way it’s arranged is perfect. I remember hearing it at 4am in NYC Downlow at Glastonbury this year and it took the roof off.

The track that’s been unfairly slept on this year
Burnski: Circuits

Listen to the track.

There’s a lot of “tech house” tunes that have all sounded the same this year, but this is proper out-there. Been playing it loads since it came out and always get some funny looks when it drops.

The track I’d play to show off my eclectic tastes
Blaze: Season of Love (Original Afro Mix)

Listen to the track.

I’ve had this on a lot this summer, especially in Ibiza as it just seems perfectly suited for there, it’s so good. It doesn’t really even have a kick drum but the groove is unreal. If you play it at the right time, it gets a great reaction. And it’s got the most mental sax going all the way through.

The track I’d play at my auntie’s wedding
Mantronix: Got to Have Your Love

Listen to the track.

Waiting for the day I get asked to play someone’s wedding just so I can play this.

The track I’d play at sunset in Ibiza
Basement Jaxx: Samba Magic

Listen to the track.

A lot of the early, early Jaxx stuff has been a massive influence on me lately. The music they were doing in the mid- to late-90s on their label Atlantic Jaxx was great; it was like what Masters at Work were doing but in a south London way.

The track I’d play at my funeral
Lonnie Liston Smith: A Garden of Peace

Listen to the track.

Pretty deep. But it’s one of my favourite pieces of music. It’s depressing but it’s not that depressing. There’d better be some crying, like.

Melé presents Club Bad at Buyers Club Music, Liverpool, 25 November; and plays Glam, Cardiff, 29 November

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