https://soundcloud.com/optimo-music
Artwork: https://soundcloud.com/greta-motif
🔊 https://youtu.be/TNU3wcC81FI

Jonnie Wilkes, signed here as J.G. Wilkes of Optimo fame, is driving eclecticism to new frontiers for your ears only. Belfast-made and Glasgow-situated artist/DJ keeps us entertained on the shores of Leftfield, House, and Wave in his two-hour ride for LAYERcatalogue.

We hear a monument to a curiosity that naturally fits with studying Fine Art like Jonnie did. He put his art career aside to pursue music full-time with occasional visits to the world of galleries.

LAYER358 is that testimony of impeccable taste and a great sense of dance floor dynamics.

Play on YouTube

LAYER #358 | J.G. Wilkes (Optimo)

We’re back with another Seaside returnee and someone who always puts in a shift, whether playing in or out. It’s perhaps best that Finn himself explains this one. 

"I contributed a mix for the cherished Mnml Ssgs in 2012 which consisted mainly of fast paced Detroit Electro tunes. The main reason was that I had never done a mix like that and Chris Hobson from the blog had not hosted one yet either. Another reason was that I was working at Hard Wax then and often overheard people in the store disrespecting the genre, mostly because they claimed the sound palette of Electro was too limited to really matter in terms of musicianship. I did not agree with that. 

Anyway, we went for it and the mix became surprisingly popular. In fact it is probably the most played mix I have ever done. And I have done quite a few… More recently I purchased a lot of Electro that was equally fast paced, but with a Disco and Funk flavour. I thought it would be an interesting idea to add some tunes that did not fit the first time round, and do a sequel. Hosted within a mix series of a comparable quality, like Seaside. So here it is. I hope you like it.”

Finn mentions the mix done for Mnml Ssgs over a decade ago, and as with many mixes featured in the savory blog, it’s worth checking out: https://soundcloud.com/finn_johannsen/mnml-ssgs-special

@finn_johannsen

48 - Finn Johannsen

If you’ve been to Phonica in the past 15+ years, you likely know Nick Williams—an integral figure behind the counter, sharing his deep and eclectic musical taste with everyone from global DJs to underground newcomers. As founder of Meda Fury Records, he’s championed soulful, leftfield sounds, discovering artists like DJ Seinfeld along the way. A seasoned DJ himself, Nick has played iconic clubs like Fabric and Corsica, known for genre-defying sets that span ambient, house, techno, post-punk, jungle, and beyond. His latest mix reflects this wide scope—layered, emotional, and full of unexpected gems.

Phonica Friends & Family Mix Series 24: Nick Williams

The first half of RA.996 is Ron Trent's take on luxurious house.

As part of our countdown to RA.1000, a milestone in the 24-year history of RA's weekly mix series, we're switching up the usual format. The next few editions will pair two acts who complement each other's strengths, offering a fresh take on a particular community, scene or style. 

This week, we're zeroing in on Ron Trent and Ash Lauryn, two names who fly the flag high for old-school US house—a foundational pillar of the electronic underground. 

Trent takes the A-side. Hailing from Chicago, the birthplace of house, the pioneer is a master of finding the sweet spot where machine music meets organic instrumentation.  Listen to any DJ set or record in his extensive back catalogue and you'll find a wealth of exquisitely expressive melodies and deep, spiritual frequencies, making him the ideal narrator for any survey on house. (If you've only got a moment, sink into "Morning Factory," nine minutes of perfection.) 

Trent's return to the RA Podcast, 19 years after his debut in 2006, represents his many decades of expertise in fusing funk with gorgeous musicianship under the umbrella of heart-stirring house. Some may call it a masterclass but to us, it's just Trent doing what he does best.

Listened to as a whole, RA.996 is a powerful snapshot of house's elegance, class and most importantly, understated yet innately euphoric joy.

Find the interview and tracklist at ra.co/podcast/997

RA.996 Ron Trent

Trushmix 241 presents Darcy Mahady the avid record collector and DJ originally from Australia now a resident of Berlin. A now decade long foray into the world of DJing has seen Darcy share music all over the world. Calling Berlin home since 2022, he can equally be found taking care of music in one of the city’s smoked out dive bars, helping host weekly coppi sessions or throwing parties under the lately banner.

For Trush he made a 1 hour and 38 minutes mix of house music with a touch of electro and some elements of Italo in the mix! Deep moods and grooves some UK, NY and Detroit classic rollin' it hard! Mix it mix it flix it flix it!

Music from the top!
Enjoy the mix!


Trushmix 241 - Darcy Mahady

Justin Carter from the moment he starts to coax the first dancers onto the floor until he brings it to boil. Live from the Mister Sunday booth in the back yard of Nowadays on Sunday, July 20, 2025, from around 4pm until 6pm.

How I Build A Floor / Justin Carter at Mister Sunday, July 20, 2025

Recording of Gilles Peterson's last 3-hour closing set at RDC Stage on Friday night.

RDC 094 - Gilles Peterson at Rainbow Disco Club 2025

Jius-Ed & Move D all night long at Globus, Berlin 2025-09-05
I'm joining in at around 1h30min

JUS-ED & Move D ALL NIGHT GLOBUS 2025-09-05

R.A.W. - Asuca (Tribal Mix) | Strictly Rhythm [1993]
Crispin J Glover - Thin Ice (Original Mix) | Paper Recordings [2000]
Tiefschwarz - On Up | Classic Music Company [2001]
Turntablerocker - I Heard You Were Dead (Tomboy's Ambush Makeover Version) | Fine [2005]
In Flagranti - EFX 10-11 | Codek [2007]
Black Devil Disco Club - Coach Me (Dub) | Lo Recordings [2005]
Gloria Stefan - Oye Mi Canto (Orion Agassi Edit) | Self Release [2023]
Rio Rhythm Band - Cuba Jakkin' | Global¿ Records [1988]
Rob Mello - Fantasize | Classic Music Company [ [2002]
Padded Cell - Signal Failure (GTA version) | DC Recordings [2005]
Jarvic7 - Bush Of Love (Razormaid Mix) | An Sa  [1989]
909d1sco - dONNERSTAG | Self Release [2005]
Philadelphia Five - Not Leaving Without Jerry (Andi Revamp) | Eskimo Recordings [2025]
Dude Energy - Renee Running | Animals Dancing [2015]
Bronx Dogs - Closing In (Richard Sen remix) | Mixed Blood [2005]
3rd Face - Canto Della Liberta (Accapella) | Classic Music Company [ [2011]
Asa Tate / Tech Support - Replica | Rhythm Section [2025]
Future Four - Into Orbit (Dark Circles remix) | Phantasy Sound [2013]
Dj Wedding - Roller | Italo Modern [2021]
Tim French - Te Amo | Hooj [2025]
Katcha - Touched By God (Peace Division Remix) | Hooj [1999]
Richard Sen - Ghost Dub | Emotional Especial [2014]
Daniel Maloso - Ritmo Especial | Comeme [2011]
Zakmina - Caroline (Fabrizio Mammarella Remix) | Roam Recordings [2019]
Megabeat - Jet Harris (Techno Dub) | Megabeat [1991]
Dorothy's Fortress - Curb Dog 88 | Destroy All Planets [2009]
Black Devil Disco Club - On Just Foot (Slide Inside) (ft. Prins Thomas) | LO Recordings [2007]
DJ Voodoo & The Liquid Method - Everybody Thinks I'm High (Original Mix) | Black Magic [1994]
Like A Tim - Tv Talk | Djax Up [1994]
Auntie Flo - Woman Of Your Boss | Permanent Vacation [2014]
Studio X - Los Kings Del Mambo (live mix) | Torso Dance [1992]
Company B - Perfect Lover (dub version) | Atlantic [1987]
Azah Kamal - Maadna Bkra (Moving Still & Tjade Edit) | Dar Disku [2021]
Prince De Takicaride - Space Jam | Non Stop Rhythm  [2024]
Solid Groove - When We Heard Maurice Fulton | Dubsided  [2010]
Dexter - i dont care | Clone [2000]
Blawan - Getting Me Down | Self Release [2011]
Black Devil Disco Club - Sorrow (Dub) | LO Recordings [2007]
D.F.X. - Relax Your Body (Another Version) | Discques Dreyfus [1989]
Bali - Patel Rap (Instrumental) | Multitone [1989]
Two Of China - Los Niños Del Parque | Future Dance [1986]

Toshiki Ohta - live at TRYOUTS LDN | 03.10.25

The NYC disco dons get housey on this week's RA podcast.

RA.207 Rub N Tug

Following last years acclaimed Curse of Soft Rocks album, we're invited to revisit said masterpiece from an alternative entry — a robust compilation of remixes. The tracklisting follows its predecessor verbatim, however every track is re-contextualized so wildly that we're left with a beautifully obtuse yet complimentary rendering. The personnel employed vary in style and technique drastically, but such is the ethos of Soft Rocks, and furthermore the ESP Institute. At the end of the day, we implore you to shut up and listen.

05 Air (Secret Circuit Remix) SNIPPET

Welcome to the ESP Institute. Please remove your shoes at the door. Thank you.