Late last year R+I Creative produced a fantastic short film, Influencers. The film interviews successful New York creatives about what it means to be an influential and how trends become contagious . It is a great watch, but as an added bonus French DJ Baptman produced an incredible accompanying soundtrack, ‘Under the Influence’.

For the last three months I have been traveling, making my way from Auckland to Vancouver. Time spent traveling is an excellent oppourtunity to reflect. I found myself coming back to this mixtape on a regular basis as my mind wandered. It has an exceptionally crafted, laid back, soulful vibe. The mix features Baptman’s unique edits of tracks from artists like Common, Miike Snow, Aloe Blacc, and Jay Dee interspersed with quotes from the film. Clocking in at just under half an hour it is perfect for a brief inspirational excursion.

Grab the Baptman – Under the Influence mixtape for yourself [right click, save as]

Possibly Related posts:

1. v3 Mix of the Month May 2011: Jamie XX
2. Mix of the Month May 2010: Roska
3. v3 mix of the month August 2010: Mosca

It is fair to say that November got a little out of hand. Between getting stuck in at &some & version3.0 taking a week long unplanned (& extremely frustrating) outage I completely neglected the November mix of the month. Never the less, we have got there eventually.

It seems fitting that a month into which I crammed so much stuff I made Girl Talk’s brand new mashup opus the mix of the month. All Day, Girl Talk’s follow up to the extremely popular ‘Feed the Animals’ that saw him become the party DJ du jour, was released mid-November and has been getting a tonne of play. You have probably heard, or at least are aware of Girl Talk’s sound by now. It isn’t subtle. It tends to divide people. Provided you don’t take it too seriously there isn’t too much here to get upset about. I find it is hard not to smile at the audacity of some of his combination’s.

Whatever you think about Girl Talk, this mix is a definite crowd pleaser. Those who don’t enjoy it probably don’t enjoy much.

Girl Talk – All Day

There isn’t much point in posting a tracklist (despite the fact there is a version that splits it into 12 distinct tracks), with the whole album clocking in at 373 different samples. Just run the whole thing, it is worth it.

Right click and stick this in your computer.

If you are interested, you can see the full list of samples over on Illegal Art, or check out the excellent All Day Samples which breaks each track down by the samples that make it up in real time.

If you have a chance you should also check out the excellent RIP: A remix manifesto which takes a critical look at copyright, using Girl Talk as the subject matter.

Possibly Related posts:

1. Mix of the Month May 2010: Roska
2. Mix of the Month April 2010: JZ (James Zabiela)
3. Mix of the Month November 2009: Trilogy

More recently he has been touted as one of the leaders of producers and DJs refusing to be confined by genre. This mix (recorded for the excellent XLR8R podcast series) is a pretty good representation of that eclectic sound. Drawing on classic house & techno, along with a bit of dubstep-ish stuff, hip hop and even some Prince for good measure.

His excellent Fabric 50 mix CD is well worth picking up if you dig this sound.

Martyn – XLR8R Podcast #125

1. Washed Out “Get Up” (Mexican Summer)
2. Lukid “Veto” (Werk)
3. King Midas Sound “Lost” (Hyperdub)
4. Rotating Assembly “Orchestra Hall” (Sound Signature)
5. Anthony Shakir “Shake it Up Dub (Remix)” (KMS)
6. Robert Owens “Bring Down the Walls” (Trax)
7. Lone “Once in a While” (Werk)
8. Jacob Korn “Grosskariert” (Permanent Vacation)
9. Joy Orbison “The Shrew Would Have Cushioned the Blow (Actress remix)” (Aus)
10. Prince “When Doves Cry” (Warner Bros)
11. Dez Williams “Abandoned Emotions” (Cheap)
12. DJ Duke “Future Blast” (Music For Your Ears)
13. Glass Domain “Interlock” (Clone)
14. Drexciya “Lost Vessel” (Tresor)
15. The Future “Daz” (Black Melody)
16. Aardvarck “Tulti” (Eat Concrete)
17. Motor City Drum Ensemble “Raw Cuts #5″ (Faces)
18. Basic Soul Unit “Hopy Unity Vision” (New Kanada)
19. Adonis “No Way Back” (Trax)
20. K-Alexi “Vertigo” (Transmat)
21. J Dilla “Nothing Like This” (Stones Throw)

Don’t hesitate, get amongst [right click, save as].

Possibly Related posts:

1. Mix of the Month May 2010: Roska
2. v3 mix of the month August 2010: Mosca
3. v3 mix of the month November 2010: Girl Talk

Lynx is hands down one of my favourite producers, and a stand up guy to boot. Having burst on the scene a couple of years back with a plethora of huge tunes that destroyed dance floors worldwide he has since proven he is anything but a flash in the pan. For lack of a better word he is one of the most precise producers in the game. His sub troubling tunes just sound so crisp, with as much attention given to what isn’t there as to what is. The result is often versatile tunes that are equal parts heavy and atmospheric. As a result you will hear them in all kinds of sets, from dark tech to fruity liquid.

This is a promo mix for his new label Detail Recordings. Set up with the aim of showcasing a variety of sounds, and promising to deliver some interesting collaborations between Lynx and other artists from across the musical spectrum. The dubs that are appearing in mixes like this are pure heat, so I can’t wait to see what else he has up his sleeve. His regular vocal partner Kemo also makes an appearance, although mostly just to hype Detail. It might be a touch on the short side, but this mix is a sweet little journey. This one was on high rotate for me as I tripped around Canada.

Stand out tunes for me are Lynx & Malibu – Bangin Arcs, Helios – First Dream (Stray Remix), Lynx’s killer remix of the Alex Reece’s classic Pulp Fiction, Lynx & Sense – For the Rebels, and the first tune released on the Detail Recordings label ‘Keep it Low’.

Lynx – Detail Recordings Promo Mix, May 2010

1. Lynx & Hellrazor – First Winter – Detail Dub
2. Breakage Ft Kemo – Temper – Digital Soundboy
3. Raiden – Danzen – Voodoo
4. Kelpe – Skylla – Ex Aquarium
5. Lynx – Chess Funk – Detail Dub
6. Zero T Vs Dwele – I Think I Love You – Bootleg
7. Lynx & Malibu – Bangin Arcs
8. Helios – First Dream (Stray Remix) – Medschool
9. Lynx & Hellrazor – Silver Glide – Detail Dub
10. Alex Reece – Pulp Fiction (Lynx Remix) – Dub
11. Lynx Ft Sense – For the Rebels – Detail Dub
12. Subterra – Gutter Mouth – Dub
13. Lynx Ft Kemo – Keep it Low – Detail Dub

Don’t sleep, get your hands (& ears) on it right here [right click, save as].

Possibly Related posts:

1. Mix of the month July 2009: Bop
2. Mix of the Month January 2010: dBridge & Instra:mental
3. Mix of the Month May 2010: Roska

Stand out tracks for me are the opener, a Roska mix of dbridge & Martyn’s beautiful track ‘These Words’, Roska’s own Jackpot (which I could imagine absolutely destroying a club), and the wicked melodic vibe on his tune ‘Tomorrow is Today’. All in all though, a pretty banging party vibe, good for prepping for a big night out, or plowing through some spreadsheets at the office. Don’t take my word for it though, give it a hoon for yourself.

Roska – Sonar Promo Mix 2010

1. Martyn & dbridge – These Words (Roska’s Speechless Mix)
2. Zinc – Nexx!
3. Roska & Jamie George – Love 2 Nite
4. Crazy Cousinz – Always Be My Baby
5. Roska – Jackpot
6. Deadboy – If U Want Me
7. Roska – Squark
8. Dj Naughty – Firepower
9. Roska Ft. Anesha – I Need Love
10. Laidback Luke – Step By Step (Roska Edit)
11. Roska & Jamie George – Wonderful Day
12. Zinc – Blunt Edge
13. Geeneus & Dynamite – Get Low (Roska Special)
14. Roska – Tomorrow Is Today
15. Bingo Players – When I Dip
16. Youtam Avni – Coke Bouquet
17. Fingaprint – It’s On You
18. Brackles – El Gordos

Get hold of Roska’s Sonar Promo Mix 2010 here [right click, save as].

Special mentions this month also go to former mix of the month artists Lenzman & ASC who both put out killer mixes this month that have been on high rotate for me too. Check Lenzman’s Reprise Agency Podcast (featuring the beautiful vocal talents of Riya) for one of the best liquid drum and bass mixes I have heard in a while & ASC’s Club Muse podcast for some awesome 90′s hip hop/experimental/dubstep/140bpm grooves.

Thanks to Nivin for the heads up on the Roska mix.

Possibly Related posts:

1. Mix of the Month January 2010: dBridge & Instra:mental
2. V3 Mix of the Month October 2010: Martyn
3. v3 mix of the month August 2010: Mosca

I have to confess that I have only just discovered James Zabiela (thanks to my man Troy). According to the Internet he is one of the finest technicians of the CDJ in the business, and I am not about to argue. Having gotten hold of his Radio 1 Essential Mix I haven’t stopped playing it all month.

James takes tracks of a whole range of electronic tempos and blends them together into a beautiful musical story. In this case, complete with samples from sci-fi film Moon. It just doesn’t get old.

James Zabiela – Radio 1 Essential Mix 03/04/2010

1. Danjel Esperanza – Walking In Dirt [Backdoor Beauty]
2. Alex Smoke – Harmonious [Lux]
3. Altair – Collateral [Covert Operatons]
4. Modeselektor – My Anthem [B Pitch]
5. Nosaj Thing – Light #1 [Alpha Pup]
6. Ned Coleman – Uncovered [Flying Flowers]
7. James Zabiela – Burnt Bridges [Renaissance]
8. Clint Mansell – 117 [Black Records]
9. Steve Bug – Like It Should Be’ [Poker Flat]
10. Star You Star Me – A Place In My Heart (feat. Erland Oye) (Jori Hulkkonen 2004 Remix) [Soundz]
11. Christian Smith – Beluga [Tronic]
12. Carl Craig – At-Les’ (Christian Smith Remix) [Planet E]
13. Dusty Kid – Moto Perpetuo (Extended Version) [Boxer]
14. Lusine – Near Sight [Ghostly International]
15. Extrawelt – Leaf 43 [Damage Music Berlin]
16. Mondkopf – Bones Club [Asphalt Duchess]
17. Clark – Growls Garden [Warp]
18. Ellen Allien & Apparat – Rotary [B Pitch]
19. Headhunter – Prototypes (Modeselktor’s Broken Handbrake Remix) [Ammunition]
20. Clint Mansell – Welcome To Lunar Industries [Three Year Stretch]
21. ASC – Floating Point [Vampire Records]
22. Tycho – Send and Receive [Merck]
23. Ruxpin – Oceanus And Tethys [MIkrolux]
24. Clint Mansell – Two Weeks and Counting [Black Records]
25. Plaid – Two Rooms [Warp]

Don’t take my word for it, listen for yourself by downloading this bad boy [right click, save as]

Possibly Related posts:

1. Mix of the Month February 2010: Four Tet
2. V3 Mix of the Month October 2010: Martyn
3. Mix of the Month May 2010: Roska

Kieran Hebden a.k.a. Four Tet is one super talented dude. I guess I was kinda late discovering him, only really picking up on his stuff after I heard Joy Orbison’s wicked remix of his beautiful tune ‘Love Cry’. He has just released an incredible new album, There is Love in You, which I highly recommend getting hold of. He deftly incorporates elements of hip hop, techno, jazz, house, electronica and live instrumentation to create amazing music.

This mix for Radio 1′s essential mix show on the 23rd of January is a genre bending electronic delight, proving he is just as talented as selector as he is as producer. Perfect for late nights, dark rooms and serious conversations. Can also vouch for it as the perfect accompaniment to a tight deadline.

Four Tet – Radio 1 Essential Mix

1. Four Tet – Angel Echoes – Domino
2. Floating Points – Vacuum – Eglo
3. Robert Owens – Bring Down The Walls – Trax
4. STL – Jungle Sometimes – Something Records
5. Oni Ayhun – OAR003 B – Oni Ayhun records
6. Weather Report – Non-Stop Home – CBS
7. DJ Sprinkles – Grand Central pt1 (MCDE bassline dub) – Mule Musiq
8. Four Tet – Sing – Domino
9. Benge – 1981 Yamaha CS70M – Expanding Records
10. Joy Orbison – So Derobe – AUS music
11. Melchior Productions – Different Places – Perlon
12. Dem 2 – Luv’s Hard – New York Soundclash records
13. Seelenluft – Manila (Manitoba remix) – Klein
14. William Onyearbor – When the going is smooth and good – Wilfilms
15. Pryda – Muranyi – Balaton
16. Moodymann – Det.Riot – KDJ
17. Zomby – Digital Fauna – Brainmath
18. Joyce – Aldela De Ogum – Odeon
19. Joe Goddard – Apple Bobbing (Four Tet remix) – Greco Roman
20. Cassy – Soul Saviour – Perlon
21. One Little Plane – Lotus Flower (Avus she’s singing mix) – Text
22. Hardhouse Banton – Reign – Spoilt Rotten Enterrtainment
23. Four Tet – Sing (Floating Points remix) – Domino
24. Troy Pierce – Oxytocin – M_nus
25. Laurie Spiegel – Patchwork – Philo
26. Eluvium – The Motion Makes Me Last (Four Tet remix) – Temporary Residence

Get it here bro [right click, save as].

Possibly Related posts:

1. Mix of the Month April 2010: JZ (James Zabiela)
2. Mix of the Month June 2010: Snax
3. V3 Mix of the Month October 2010: Martyn

Having said all that though, drum & bass is still the music that I feel more connection with than any other. I have loved the way that the sound has continued to evolve, particularly the melodic, musical & minimal stuff that artists like Instra:Mental, Alix Perez, Lynx, Bop, dBridge, Consequence, ASC, Spectrasoul, Commix, Blu Mar Ten, and more have been absolutely killing in 2009. For my December 2009 mix of the month I was trying to find something that really represented this sound.

This mix from Blu Mar Ten released back in September has been slowly bubbling away on my playlist ever since. It is totally incredible. This is definitely in my top 10 mixes of the year, of any genre. One thing I really love about it is that it is predominantly music from artists that I had heard very little from before (you can read more about the new talent featured on the mix over on the BMT site). As well as showcasing some of the aforementioned minimal, melodic sounds they also work in a range of other stuff, and it is all beautifully put together. This is one mix that is well worth checking out.

Blu Mar Ten: Drum & Bass Mix: Sep 2009

1. D Bridge – Love’s Ugly Child
2. Kharm – Wolf Jacket
3. Circa – Ida
4. Blu Mar Ten – Above Words
5. Logistics – Murderation
6. Stray – Talking About Nothing
7. Sinistarr & Kiat – Black Diamonds
8. Tidal – So Sexy
9. Crisis – Twilight Bongos
10. Stray – Saturday
11. High Speed Dubbing – AMC
12. Blu Mar Ten – Overwhelm
13. Mr Sizef – Seven Tones of Romantic
14. Kharm – Meridian
15. Mr Sizef – Our Most Sincere Feeling
16. Sunchase – Varka
17. Blu Mar Ten – Grey Area
18. Blu Mar Ten – She Moves Through (ASC remix)
19. So;Flow – Long Way Over
20. Vaccine – Radiate (170 edit)
21. Blu Mar Ten – Last Dance

Get your hands on it right here [right click, save as].

If you dig this then be sure to check out the Blu Mar Ten blog, one of the best musicians blogs I have ever read.

Possibly Related posts:

1. Mix of the month August 2009: Instra:Mental
2. Mix of the month July 2009: Bop
3. Mix(es) of the Month June 2009: Doc Scott

Continuing with my current appetite for variety this is a multi-genre masterpiece, with a bit of downbeat, funk, hip hop, dubstep, house and not-quite-sure-what-to-call-it-but-it’s-awesome. Just in time for your sunny summer road trip.

Trilogy – Trilogy Mixtape Volume 1

1. Flying Lotus & The Life Force Trio – Aunties Lock
2. Little Dragon – Fortune
3. Muhsinah – Goh Again
4. Dorian Concept – Bi Polar Friendship – Mar Variation
5. Electric Wire Hustle – Chaser
6. Julien Dyne – Fallin Down
7. Trilogy – Brother Dont Cry
8. Gangstarr – Fala
9. Notorious BIG – Suicidal Thoughts – Lorn Remix
10. Take – Fall in Love Again
11. Hudson Mohawke – Rising 5
12. Dam Funk – Searchin 4 Funks Future
13. Floating Points – Truly
14. Simbad – Digital Revolution
15. Falty DL – To London
16. Pepe Bradock – Deep Burnt
17. Simbad vs D’angelo – Keep da Move
18. Donaeo – Riot Music
19. Joy Orbison – Wet Look
20. Instra:Mental – Futurist
21. Alix Perez ft Truth & Lynx – No Grudge
22. Dark Knight – Broken Beats
23. Martyn – Yet
24. Ramadanman – Revenue
25. Untold – Palamino

You can get it for yourself right here [right click, save as]

Even if you don’t download the mix you should definitely check this tune – Brother Don’t Cry. If you like stuff from people like Cinematic Orchestra, 4Hero, and Kinobe then I am sure that you will dig.

Brother Don’t Cry by Trilogy

Possibly Related posts:

1. Mix of the month August 2009: Instra:Mental
2. Mix of the month December 2009: Blu Mar Ten
3. Mix of the Month May 2009: Lenzman

Zero T is making super hot drum and bass right now, but this mix is a whole lot of funk, soul, and hip hop thrown together to make one awesome summertime jam. It was recorded live at one of the awesome sounding Insession gigs, which I would love to check one day.

Zero T – Live at Insession May 2009

1. Visioneers – Runnin
2. A Tribe Called Quest – We Can Get Down
3. Billy Brooks – 40 Days
4. Jones Girls – Nights Over Egypt
5. Heatwave – Grooveline
6. Mighty Riders – Evil Vibrations
7. Southern Freeez – Freeez
8. Prince – Wana Be Your Lover
9. Michael Jackson – I Cant Help It
10. Mary Jane Girls – All Night Long
11. De La Soul – Stakes Is High
12. Talib Kweli + Hi Tek – The Blast
13. Dwele – Dance With Me
14. Madvillain – The Eye
15. Busta Rhymes – Turn Me Up Some
16. Lewis Parker v Fat Joe – Lean Back
17. Biggie Smalls – Juicy
18. Evelyn King – Love Come Down
19. SWV – Right Here
20. A Tribe Called Quest – 1nce Again
21. Reel People – Butterflies
22. Critical Point ft Vikter Duplaix – Messages
23. Rotary Connection – Black Gold of The Sun
24. Bobby Caldwell – What You Wont Do

Grab it from this convenient location and keep it forever [right click, save as]

Possibly Related posts:

1. Mix of the Month May 2009: Lenzman
2. Mix of the Month September 2009: Redeyes
3. V3 Mix of the Month October 2010: Martyn