Decoded Magazine Mix of the Month December Submission - Johan Li 

This is my submission to the Decoded Magazine Mix of the Month December 2025

Each track in this mix was carefully hand-picked — mostly new releases, alongside a few older pieces that still echo with meaning. Together they form a cinematic flow between deep house, melodic house and progressive soundscapes — a mix built for both movement and introspection.

Turn the lights low, breathe, and let the story unfold.

01. Estiva - Interlude (Leave A Trace) (Original Mix)
02. Corren Cavini, Dan Soleil - Never the Same feat. Dan Soleil (Extended Mix)
03. WhoMadeWho, Fideles, Kolsch - Heartless (Fideles Remix)
04. The Juan Maclean, Amtrac - Grit (Original Mix)
05. Slow Ted - Aligned (Extended Mix)
06. Coastlines, Jack Willard - For You (Extended Mix)
07. M.O.S. - Music In My Head (Extended Mix)
08. Estiva - Lonely Keys (Extended Mix)
09. CamelPhat, Josh Gigante - The One (Extended Mix)
10. maXure - Why Are We Longing for More (Extended Mix)
11. Josef Alkan - Arctic Expedition (Original Mix)
12. Envotion, Alexey Sonar, ANUQRAM - Common Sense (Extended Mix)

Decoded Magazine Mix of the Month December Submission - Johan Li

Way of K never keeps you on the surface. His signature sound is deep and immersive, while always compelling your body to move.  Whether it's with a heavy bass line, an emotional melody, or an energetic groove, his carefully crafted soundscapes leave you with a feeling.

His music blends elements from Melodic, Deep, Progressive, Organic, and Tribal House, culminating in his own vivid style.

A world wanderer who came to rest in a coastal Ecuadorian village, Way of K has been exposed to music from a wide variety of cultures. This global influence combined with his unique background as an engineer and meditation teacher has given him a special relationship to sound.

His studio overlooking the ocean also serves as a meditation retreat center, where intense periods of musical creation are balanced by retreats for days at a time in total silence, with only the sounds of the rainforest and rhythm of the waves to influence him towards the next work of art.

When he’s not in the studio or guiding meditation retreats, you'll probably find him surfing. Constantly gathering inspiration from the relentlessly dynamic nature of the ocean.

'Hand of God' Marc M
Marc M, known as the 'Hand of God,' embarked on his DJ journey at the age of 16 in the mid-1980s. He began his career playing in the vibrant Nottingham pub and club scene, quickly earning a residency at Nottingham's iconic 'The Garage' Nightclub. There, he had the privilege of playing alongside DJ legend Graham Park, who played a crucial role in refining Marc's mixing skills.
Marc's talent and passion for music led him to the commercial super clubs. He brought his unique style to 'Ritzy' nightclubs in Nottingham, Derby, and York, and also left his mark on venues such as Madisons, New York, New York, Oceano, The Broadway, Black Orchid, and Isis to name just a few in Nottingham.
Eventually, Marc returned to the underground club scene, bringing his expertise to renowned venues in Nottingham, but mostly Derby, like The Conservatory (Uni 1 & 2) and worked alongside the guys from Progress whilst at the Eclipse. Marc is known for his ability to deliver long, captivating sets of up to 5 hours, seamlessly blending various genres. However, his true mastery lies in creating long, flawless mixes of Progressive House, Melodic House, Progressive Trance, and Deep House Music.
Marc M's extensive experience and dedication to his craft make him a standout talent in the DJ world, captivating audiences with every beat he drops.
On a personal note:  I was extremely fortunate to experience and witness the early days of House Music from the mid 1980’s onwards. The nightlife and the subsequent lifestyle sucked me in and they were truly times of pure ecstatic excitement and adventure, and then also watch it evolve in all kinds of subgenres; one more tantalising than the other. I will never forget it.
The music felt like it was both energetic and magical, and more than once it felt like an escape. I watched DJ’s grow in to Super Stars right in front of my eyes, and if they were good they would take you on an unforgettable journey through the dark night. And sometimes days.
It a simple fact that DJ Sets today, (bare a few of the obvious exceptions), cannot be compared to that of 15-30 years ago, (and those obvious DJ's were playing back then) DJ sets would have a start, a build-up that would go on for sometimes hours and then a climax that would take you to heaven. This still drives me as a DJ and gives me goosebumps.
Nowadays, a track played almost immediately go into a chorus or at least within 15 seconds, why? Simply because kids of today get bored and  would simply skip to the next track on their Spotify. That seems so sad to me, but is the current state of today’s music and DJ industry.
They’ll probably never experience a music scene like it was back then, full of addictive energy from a music genre that was taking over the world, one magical beat at a time.
I try still to do those sets when playing Progressive House Music, the structure of which for me is a testimony to an era gone by and all those great DJ's, who's names will be forever in our hearts.

Producing and DJing music since the 90’s. Father and promoter of Club Clockwork. Mostly into Deep, melodic and progressive house & trance.

Johan Li is a Finnish DJ and electronic music artist whose career spans almost 30 years across the worlds of deep, melodic and progressive house, trance and techno. Starting in 1994–95, Johan began DJ’ing at just 15 and soon became an active part of Finland’s early dance music movement. As a member of the eurodance group Base Project, released through Edel, he contributed to a sound many later described as one of the foundations of Finland’s emerging dance scene. Base Project shared stages with acts like Paradisio and became a defining part of that era’s youthful electronic energy.

From 2000 to 2004, Johan ran his own monthly clubnight Clockwork — a forward-thinking concept that brought Finnish, UK and Scandinavian artists to the same stage in Seinäjoki at a time when curated electronic club culture outside major cities was rare. In its 25th anniversary year, Johan revived Clockwork with a renewed concept: pairing original Clockwork-era DJs with carefully selected younger talent to bridge heritage and the future of the sound. The new home of Clockwork is Pit Lane Club, a brand-new venue located inside Finland’s largest amusement park. The anniversary year has been marked by events featuring original Clockwork artists such as DJ Orkidea and Sasha F.

Throughout the years, Johan has performed at various events, while continuously refining a sound defined by atmosphere, emotion and evolution. His sets are built intentionally — breathing, developing and telling a story rather than following trends.

House music lover since around 1988. Stu Allen key 103 Piccadilly Radio. The acid days. The rave days. Quadrant Park. Farnworth Pleasuredome. Legends Raves Warrington. Cream. Liverpool. Life@Bowlers. 3Beat Records on a Saturday. Hot Wax. Pete tong Essential selection. 

All of that was the catalyst. Had some citeonics and crappy. Borrowed belt driven drives for really poor efforts at DJing local youth clubs and occasional private parties. Kept up the music love and bedroom DJing. 

More recently enjoyed bringing the rave to fitness boot camps and the ambient soulful melodic house to Crosby Beach. Sunsets and sunny days been amazing.