320kbps, 44.1kHz stereo

Preview

I worship this DJ but have never seen him and can’t find anything out about him.  That’s all based on this one disc.

I bought this CD on a stopover in San Juan, Puerto Rico.  On a street where the road and every wall were ornamented with beautiful hexagonal geometric tiles I walked into an unassuming little music shop.  A very strong-willed, bubbly, really cute clerk asked if she could help me, and I asked for a local techno or electronic mix by a DJ from the city.  Her eyes pierced like stilettos of sunshine.  She gave me this incredible smirk and sang/said “ahhh you like dance music, eh?”.  She danced over to the dance section.

“He’s the local hero.”

I’ll never forget those few short hours in San Juan.  Breathtaking city of wonder and warmth, and thankfully I’ve got this CD as a keepsake.

What a surprise it was that such a cold, techy d&b mix would be a memento of this radiant city.  This is a fistpumping genre rife with repetitive chug but Gulembo selects nothing but gems.  The complex syncopations and percussive variations of his tracks are attention-keeping and will toy with your anticipations.  The levels and mixing are pristine and the transitions are magically seamless.  This is a true professional at work, have no doubt.

Anyone with info or memories of this gentleman, please share!

Enjoy the mix.  This one goes out to San Juan.  I’ll come back for my heart some day.

And check out this Mystical Influence mix for intelligent drum and bass with a bit of Toronto flavour.

1. J. Magik – The Lizard
2. Konflict (Kamal & Rob Data) – My Personal Blackmail
3. Universal Project & Usual Suspect – The Craft
4. Dylan & Loxy – End of Days
5. Digital – Deadline
6. Q Project – Champion Sound (Total Science RMX)
7. EZ Rollers – RS 2000
8. Dillinja – Nasty Ways
9. Dom & Roland – Terrorist
10. Roni Size  Play the Game
11. Moving Fusion & Andy C – Foul Mouth
12. Andy C – Titan
13. State of Play – Searching
14. Matrix & Fierce – Tightrope
15. Matrix – Apache
16. Dat Side – Sober
17. Bad Company – Night Train
18. Ed Rush & Optical – Flight Path

Download Side B – 25:17, 46.3 MB

256kbps, 44.1kHz stereo

Preview

This is a recording of just another night on DJ Marcus Visionary’s and DJ Prime’s show, The Prophecy, on CIUT 89.5 FM, Toronto, circa 1998.  Three fine jungle DJs grace the decks in this recording – host Marcus, and fellow locals Everfresh and Slide.  The Prophecy show has been a Toronto institution as long as I’d been attending raves and clubs (1996), and likely a lot earlier than even that.

This show is a a little on the chatty side which is a shame.  Marcus is a great DJ whose talents and radio show get better with every passing year, but his show has always been stuffed to the gills with his yammering.  In this 60-minute recording there’s maybe 5 minutes of talking (overtop the beats) so be ye fairly warned, sez I.

It’s cool having 3 DJs in the span on an hour because we’re treated to a good variety of flavours.  Marcus grinds into gear with some grimey tech jungle, and Everfresh and Slide pick up where Marcus leaves off, easing gradually into more ethereal and soothing sounds.  I’m not sure whether it’s Everfresh or Slide who drops it, but side 2 of this mix features my favourite D&B track of all time – Grooverider’s remix of Pacific by 808 State.  Also watch out for Miles From Home by Peshay, one of my favourite jazzy/liquid D&B producers, on the second side.

I’ve always been big on jungle music but it was kind of an also-ran – I’d go to parties to see various headliners playing other genres and I’d traipse into the accompanying jungle room a few times to see what’s up and change the pace.  So, unfortunately, I don’t have any particularly witty tales of wacky exploits related to these DJs.  The best I’ve got is my recollection of a party in Hamilton, Ontario, that I checked out with some of my pals, when we witnessed Marcus snarf a heroic rail off the side of a 1200 before pounding out an enthusiastic set.

The Prophecy is on from 8-10pm Eastern Standard Time and you can listen in on the CIUT live radio stream.  It’s well worth your time too, as Marcus’ style has really evolved a lot over the years, so in addition to the latest jungle styles and white labels you can hear the likes of garage, jazzy breakbeats, and other various percussive treats.

Download Side B – 31:05, 56.9 MB

256kbps, 44.1kHz stereo

Preview

What’s to be said about Mystical Influence?  He and his brother, DJ Sniper, are amongst Toronto’s top DJ talent; the bar by which all our city’s D&B DJs are measured.  Mystical throws down the deep and buzzy basslines with lots scattered and poppy renegade snares, while Sniper’s specialty has been the warm-up, jump-up, more positive and funky, vocal tunes.

The sounds on this recording are classic, unapologetic Mystical.  Expect some dangerous grimey basslines ‘longside mechanical, reliable beats, or low-key dread bass giving way to overcomplex, near-breakcore snare arrangements.  A couple of songs in this mix feature nonstandard syncopation which transform the beat to a nearly 6/8 time signature, and transitions into and out of 4/4 tracks take some serious concentration, familiarity, and raw talent which this DJ has to spare.

I have no particularly noteworthy Mystical Influence stories to share, unfortunately.  The guy is an institution – if there’s a jungle party worth going to, this guy is almost guaranteed to be there.  I’ve been out of the loop long enough that I’m not sure whether Mystical does the rounds anymore, but if he does consider yourself blessed.

One thing that I will say about this guy is that he’s one of the reasons I started caring less and less about headliners.  I’ve bought more than my fair share of lousy one-off mix CDs by the biggest names you can muster, and they don’t hold a candle in professionalism or track selection to any of my random tapes off of Toronto DJs like Mystical Influence.

Bo.