Pulse Sequence by Roberto Soriente  10.07.25

Marcel Vogel showcasing recent and upcoming releases for Lumberjacks in Hell and other label's. A bright soulful, pumping umbrella of soulful sounds.

www.operator-radio.com

Marcel Vogel - 7th August 2025

I always wanted to do my own version of Hope to God and here it is!

Check out the video!    https://youtu.be/MuucB7CJJ48

Illumination – Hope To God

In the mid-1990s, two restless explorers of sound—Nicholas Sillitoe and Per Martinsen—came together as Illumination, a project that blurred the boundaries between studio precision and live improvisation. Their language was electronica, but one spoken with lo-fi grit, hi-fi clarity, and a deep trust in the energy of machines and the spontaneity of performance.

Released in 1995 on their +47 label, Hope To God arrived first as a 12″ single with raw, driving versions from Martinsen and a collaborative Istigkeit mix. Soon after, it re-emerged in the UK as a double 12″ and CD-EP, now expanded with atmospheric re-interpretations from kindred spirits, most notably Biosphere’s glacial remix.

The track became a touchstone in the Norwegian underground: hypnotic, searching, carried by layers of analog warmth and vocal fragments that felt half-remembered, half-divine. It embodied Illumination’s ethos—music that could be both a club weapon and a private prayer.

Decades on, Hope To God still resonates as more than a track: it is a moment in time, a reminder of a scene inventing itself, and a plea whispered through circuits that the future might yet hold light.

Hope to God

It feels quite surreal to say this, but Episode 03 of the Balearic London mix series is brought by none other than Italo house legend Don Carlos. Starting his DJ career in the late 70s, he is best known for his production debut 'Alone'. Widely known as the epitome of what dream house is, the track combines emotive piano chords, crisp percussion, and ethereal pads in what is beautifully floaty yet perfectly punchy perfection. Since then he's released more underground hits under his own name as well as his Montego Bay and Aquanauts monikers. He isn't just a legend of the 90s though, his releases in the recent years on Freerange Records, Utopia, Irma Records, and remixes on Wolf Music and more show that his music sounds as fresh now as ever.

We are so excited to have him as our next guest of our mix series. Get stuck in, and join us at Distillery N17 on the 5th of September where he will be headlining his first gig in London since 2020. Get your tickets at https://ra.co/events/2185010

@dj-don-carlos-117926534
https://www.instagram.com/doncarlos_alone_official/

Balearic London Episode 03: Don Carlos

West African in heritage, Naarm (Melbourne)-based Zjoso has quickly become an essential thread weaving through the city’s musical tapestry.

He is the founder of Tribqu, a platform celebrating underground music and culture. At the helm, he has successfully carved out a distinct role as a DJ, radio host, and curator. His monthly radio program on Skylab has become a cult favorite, while his dance events cultivate a space where music is not driven by a specific genre, but rather by a feeling and an exploration of sound and movement. Tribqu has energized a community movement of like-minded music lovers.

An accomplished and versatile DJ, Zjoso explores his love for soulful music across a broad spectrum. In a relatively short time, he has asserted himself as a prominent figure on Naarm’s clubbing circuit, with a discerning taste that touches on sounds like Street Soul, Dub Reggae, 90s House, Broken Beat and Detroit Techno. 

He navigates both dance floors and radio frequencies with perceptive ability and a sharp skill set. The recherché selector’s recognition is evident through invitations to share the stage with the likes of Ron Trent, Glenn Underground, Marcellus Pittman, Errol (Touching Bass), Hagan, Shy One, Bradley Zero (Rhythm Section), Ruby Savage, Steve Spacek, and Dreamcastmoe.

Having toured across Europe, South East Asia and New Zealand, Zjoso has played at parties and venues such as Rhythm Section, Secret Sundaze, Potato Head (Bali), Beam Cube and Friendly Potential. He has also played Australian and UK festivals such as Golden Plains Sun Cycle, Freedom Time, Hopkins Creek, Echo Beach, Strawberry Fields, Mode, Pitch Music and Arts Festival.

A love for dancing, a passion for discovering and sharing music, and an inherent motivation to bring people together through these forms serve as the foundation for Zjoso’s creative focus. He is a vibrant voice helping to define the shape of Australian dance culture.

Follow Zjoso on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zjoso/reels/?hl=en

Coloring Lessons Mix Series 074: ZJOSO

Playlist:


1. Iboga - “Abuja Rough” (Joaqin Joe Claussell edit) (Atypical Dopeness, 2025)
2. Byron The Aquarius ft Computer Jay - “When The Freaks Come Out” (Phonogramme, 2024)
3. Aleqs Notal - “Supply Shuttle” (Forbidden Dance, 2022)
4. Yerba Buena - “Fever” (Blaze Roots Vocal Mix) (West End, 2006)
5. Vakula & Kuniyuki - “Session North # 1” (Vakula version)(sound of speed, 2012)
6. Millsart - “Theme from Star Child” (Axis Expressionist Series, 2025)
7. DimDJ - “This Little Face” (Ethos, 2025) 
8. The Mighty Zaf and Linkwood - “Yokai” (80s, 2025)
9. Ron Trent - “Sexstrology” (Rush Hour, 2025)
10. Portable - “My Light of Yesterday” (Patrice Scott remix) (Circus Company, 2022)
11. ZG - “Left Outside” (Pacific Rhythm, 2024)
12. LeRon Carson - "88th & Luella” (Sound Signature, 2021)
13. Simoncino - “Cosmic Paradise” (Larry Heard Underground Remix) (Hotmix Records, 2011)
14. The Robinson - “Vibrasoul” (Ten Lovers Music, 2025)
15. Abacus - “Ancient Technology” (Phonogramme, 2023)
16. Terry Tester - “Walkin” (Creak, 2023)
17. June Jazzin - “Harming Man” (NDATL, 2023)
18. Soul II Soul - “A Dream’s A Dream” (Ron Trent remix) (Funki Dreds, 2025)
19. Trinidadian Deep - “Island Juju Rockas” (Dailysession Records, 2015)
20. Lars Bartkuhn - “See The Light” (Full Experience) (Rush Hour, 2025)

2025-08-30 mix

A special 2 hour show this month, all vinyl and only purchases from the last 2 weeks digging in record shops across the UK! 

I was back home for 2 weeks for a holiday on the South East coast of the UK and arrived back in Amsterdam with a 60+ new buys. This show highlights the diversity and range in record stores across the UK from reggae, dub and street soul to US disco, funk and house! A majority of these were bought in Hastings and St Leonards from Pressing Matters, Wow and Flutter and Courthouse Records - and then a couple from a day in London at Atlantis Records.

Hope you enjoy the mix and a full tracklist will be up on my Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bevangosling/

Tied Together 11 (An ode to UK record shops) w/ Bevan @ Operator Radio (September 2025)

Pulling from the archives this week: this snippet was taken from Communion in Minneapolis on 7/6/25 warming up the patio for WWW & Christian James. This was ~30 days after me snapping my collar bone in Chicago. I was originally supposed to spin alongside fellow excavator Jeffrey but the timing didn't work out so I took it solo... and kept it even after I was down an arm. Happy with how it transpired all things considered. I probably could've stuck to the USB but I mean, what fun would that've been? ;)
~
Photo by Phriz

McGinnis | Live @ Communion July 2025

Playlist: 

01. AXUS - Pluto
02. Martinez - Soul Glow
03. Dubtribe Sound System - What You Feel In Your Heart
04. Rasoul + McArthy - Retrospect
05. Rasoul + McArthy - Atlantis
06. Martinez - Release The Groove
07. Tuomas Salmela - The Piece (Phonogenic Deep Mix) 
08. Projekt PM - When The Voices Come
09. Callisto - The Cimmerian
10. Fresh & Low - Love Capsule Deluxe (Deep Space Dub)
11. Elements of Soul - Head Above Water (Crazy Penis - Out There Dub)
12. Glenn Underground - Fly With Me (MG's Dub)
13. Solaris - Sunrise
14. Titus - Don't Worry About Me (Soulpusher Vocal)
15. The Aquanauts - Voyage
16. The Aquanauts - Karma (Jazzy Mix)
17. Larry Heard - Guidance (Calm)
18. Callisto - Resistance
19. Mark Grant - Spirit Of The Black Ghost (The Black Mix)
20. Callisto - Need Ur Love (Stalagmite Mix)

#260 - A Tribute To Guidance - mixed by dj ROG

A shifting kaleidoscope where time fractures into fading horizons and silent parades of memories. Each piece reflects fragments of lost skies, torn maps, and oceans of static, weaving light and shadow into fragile patterns. In its swirling, time reveals both the dust of what is gone and the brilliance of what remains.

Lanterns in Dust

Bandcamp

Living Dolce

Chicago House - Detroit techno-Deep House-Soul- Funk -Disco-Nu Jazz