The track I’ll be opening my next DJ set with
Don Carlos: Alone (Paradise version)
I opened my set with this at Panorama Bar on Sunday morning; I haven’t had that many goosebumps since I stepped off Nemesis aged 14.
The track I always play to rescue a dancefloor
Bolla – Afrikan Basement: Makussa
I’m usually in near-constant rescue mode from the start, but this does a great job of resetting the mood.
The track that currently gets the most rewinds
Rex Gyamfi: Obiara Bewu
If the whole of Old Trafford can sing along to Radha Krsna Temple’s Hare Krishna Mantra, they can belt out the intro of this. Coming soon to a Boiler Room near you.
The track I wish I’d never played
Gecko: Just Close Your Eyes (Rework 2002)
I’ve never played a bad track, but I used to play lots of good tracks badly; this one springs to mind. It was in room two at Corsica Studios and rather than just go with the flow I dropped this and had everyone heading for the exit. I don’t think I’ve been so embarrassed since I accidentally sang a solo verse of Snug As A Bug In A Rug during a primary school recital.
The track I’d play to show off my eclectic tastes
Fadimoutou Wallet Inamoud & Her Isswat Group: Isswat
I got handed this on cassette by a nice man running a secondhand store in Düsseldorf of all places; it completely blew me away. Sahel Sounds did a lovely job of reissuing it last year complete with translated lyrics.
The track I’d play at my auntie’s wedding
Bobbi Humphrey: Baby Don’t You Know
I’d play this at most places, to be fair; unsurprisingly I’ve been asked to DJ at two strangers’ weddings in the past week alone. I actually gave my copy of this to Marcellus Pittman thinking it was a bargain-bin record; got that one wrong.
The track I’d play at my funeral
Madame Edna Gallmon Cooke: Bottle Of Tears
All four attendees on the floor sobbing their eyes out. Bottles require deposit
Palms Trax plays Phonox, SW9, Friday 29 July
