These tracks are uplifting and when I danced while recording this set I felt as if I was floating. I recall saying- "this is SO beautiful" while playing and decided to state that in the title of the set. 

This set is a reflection of my current frame of mind– happy, positive, delicious, delighted, & joyous. 

I'm trying to cut back on the number of tracks with lyrics and let the music speak for itself. I included one of my fav tracks by "Who Made Who" because when I'm in the right state on the dancefloor & I'm "floating", everything is "slipping away"...... 

Enjoy this lovely journey.

Beautiful floaty music

:: Reflection :: 
I traveled to Miami (solo) to celebrate my birthday at Art Basel. Birthdays are a time for reflection. A time to consider your past, present, and future. The photo represents my "reflection" of the experiences I've created over the past 2-3 decades of my life and on dance floors around the world. 

A big part of who I am today is rooted in my experiences growing up in Saudi Arabia and Switzerland. During the trip, I was reminded of this part of my life when people asked about my past.  While in Arabia I learned the greeting- "Salaam Alaikum", which means "Peace be upon you" and it's one of the most beautiful greetings I can imagine. The world would be a better place if we truly wanted this for others. The people I met in Miami (from around the world) all greeted me with love and well wishes. I experienced "Salaam Alaikum". 

I returned home and felt compelled to record a set that represented my past, present, and future. It starts with melodic middle-eastern sounds and vocals and continues with other favorite progressive house tracks I love (including Atish, DAVI, Hraach, & Kora) 

My wish for you, as you enjoy this set is... "Peace be upon you".
Be at peace with your past, enjoy the present, and dare to dream of an amazing future.

Salaam Alaikum - Peace Be Upon You.

Inspiration: Dancing & celebrating during NYE / NYD weekend

After dancing in San Francisco all weekend I came home, turned on the decks, pulled up some of my favorite tracks, and recorded a set that represented the moment when the music was so good I let go & it was as if I was swimming in happiness- I was doing my "happy dance". 

The experience was enhanced by others seeing my joy & inviting me to share the moment with them. The last track of the set is "Together" and that also symbolizes my feelings after dancing with my community again. 

I danced a happy dance while recording this set & I hope it becomes a soundtrack for your happy dance too!

(shout out to my progressive house inspiration, German DJ & producer Solee for many of these tracks)

Happy Dance

These tracks guided me on my "dusty journey" at burning man 2022. It was a challenging experience because I chose to challenge myself. The title is also appropriate because the set takes you on a journey.  The set has ups & downs, just like my desert experience & our lives. 

These are the tracks I love- that move me from the inside out. I recorded a version of this set and played in my headphones during my quiet times on the playa. When I wanted to hear specific beautiful music that I couldn't find out there. When I rode around thinking about my life and the beauty and magic of the playa.  Whether happy, struggling, or needing comfort... these were my go-to. This was my "playa soundtrack". 

They were comforting and imbued joy & hope in my heart and mind. This music grounded me while also lifting me up. 

This is the set I planned to play at Burningman if the opportunity presented itself. Tracks that transition from the darkness of the night to the first glow of light... to welcome in the new day. 

When I returned home and reflected on the experience, I opened a bottle of Champagne and let the music flow. I didn't realize I played for 2.5 hours until the last track was finished. It was a beautiful experience & I hope you can hear the emotion in the music. It is from my heart.

a dusty journey

For those that follow me, I'm not known for playing House music. This set is my version of House. 

Here is the inspiration:
I've been traveling a lot... Barcelona, NYC, Miami, San Diego, LA, Istanbul, Kenya, Burning Man, Mexico City, Mountain camping, and recently returned from Sarasota, FL where I was visiting my parents and a couple of friends. 

Although I don't have a physical home in any of these places, (I didn't even have a tent at Burning Man), my connection with others made me feel at home. When I travel, music guides my journey- I dance through unfamiliar streets and explore the world. 

While in Sarasota I was invited to a "fashionable" event so I dressed accordingly... in true (dusty) style. I noticed the Event producer/DJ was wearing a similar robe/kimono & necklace, so I introduced myself and discovered he was also a burner. We immediately synced and he invited me to tag in and play during the event. Afterward, he graciously invited me to DJ at a local club. He made me feel at home. 

The friends that hosted me in SRQ have been the most supportive and loving over the years- encouraging me to be myself and express my authentic self. Which is reflective of all my friends. "You like to paint your toenails? that's cool and we don't question your sexuality just because other men don't do that- you are being you!"

I felt so comfortable being myself and not caring what others thought. Just because they think/act/dress/speak/do what everyone else does... doesn't mean I have to. 

At the club, Nati (https://soundcloud.com/nati-shabbat) played "The Biggest Heart- Roy Rosenfeld" and we were vibing. This set begins with that track and created a lovely house set in memory of the weekend and all my recent solo trips. The set ends with the track "Don't hold back -  Monolink", which is a reminder to be yourself and don't hold back. 

Always have the courage to be yourself, and whenever you are by yourself... Home/House is where the heart is. I hope this set makes you feel at home too.

House is where the heart is

These are some of the tracks I played during the first 1.5 hours of my 5-hour sunrise/morning set. I've been saving several of these sunrise tracks for years and I was elated to share them with friends. 

The first light of the day cast above the horizon around 5:45 and this set went from 06:00 to 07:30. For those on the dancefloor feeling squishy, this was a soft and floaty mix to welcome the sunrise... followed by lovely progressive & deep house tracks to keep everyone moving & excited for the new day.

Vegas Sunrise Set : First Light

< Re-mixed & Recorded > 

Setting: 
Private party in Las Vegas, poolside set, 14:00-15:30. Our group rented the entire hotel– filled with 140+ friends for a special celebration.
I played 1.5 hours on Saturday during the hottest part of the day. Here is a recording of the journey. Keep in mind, this set wasn't about dancing, but rather providing a happy soundtrack for the afternoon.

For those of you there, I hope this is a reminder of our shared experience, for those of you that couldn't be there I hope you can picture the environment and enjoy the set in cooler temps :)
düsty aka ümlaut

Vegas C&C Poolside Daytime Set

As the sun has crossed the horizon, a warm yellow and orange glow enveloped the sky– a precursor to the warmth and brightness of the day. I played these floaty, deep, and cozy beats to match and enhance the elevated state friends were experiencing. 

We were floating in the deep end.

Vegas Sunrise Set: Glowing

I've been listening to these melodic tracks while sheltering and dancing in place. The set opens with an inspirational track that says... "someday, you'll look back and you'll see. I know you will find your way, I know you can find your way".  It's part of my daily soundtrack. 

One of the closing tracks (to bring it Hohme) is Onward, by David Hohme. ;) 

I hope this set gets you moving & dancing- in your place. 
Take care. 
do good.
be well. 

- dusty

Onward - Shelter/Dance In Place

Backstory: I have several Jan Blomqvist tracks in the queue and a friend expressed his love of Jan's music, so I mixed this set for his (and our) enjoyment. Cheers, Paul. 
I hope you enjoy it as much as I did making it. 
Cause it's a killer set. 
Fk-Ja!

Fk-Jaaa

"we make fun" 

This dürty set is inspired by the people that put in the time, effort, creativity, and funds to (make) FUN. 

Brass Tax
Space Cowboys
Garage Mahal
Dusty Rhino
Opulent Temple
Angels of Bass
Distikt
Pink Mammoth 
Nutz

and all-star DJ friends from those groups

We Make Fun / dürty House set

This set was emotionally and physically moving... hence the name Moving.

SIP - Moving

A set on the techno/trance end of the spectrum for the burn night "in my mind". Since Bman 2020 didn't happen, I reminisced about the music that shaped my early experiences of radical self-expression in the desert and San Francisco. 

Considering the current health, civil, political, and environmental challenges we are facing I constructed a set around Maceo Plex- Let's All Pray for this World" track. 

These tracks take me back to my early days on the playa with the likes of Illuminaughty, Sol System, Braindrops, Syd Gris & Opulent Temple.

Burningman 2020 / Night of the Burn

Please like & Repost to share these sets with others.

düsty aka ümlaut

Pinned to spotlight

Popular tracks