Ilias Pitsios, the mastermind behind ‘Into The Light’ records, has had the scene on ice for a number of years now. Recent excursions for NTS, Pacific Rhythm and Sanpo Disco are top of my essential listening list. After various late-night chats and juicy tips, a perfect fusion of sleazy dancehall hits and ballads landed on my doorstep. Suffice to say I was psyched. 

Ideal for a midday revival, afters wind-down or whenever, it’s that tight.

@dynamons
@intothelightrecords

Ilias Pitsios ... #23

Josh, one part of the bubblegum crew, has got to have one of the most unbelievably deep collections going. Tuning in to his instagram is a guaranteed ticket to drool central. Those hip to the Dublin scene have probably caught him at the infamous audiophile spot Hang-Dai. Outside of this bubble though, this cat keeps a very low online profile. That is why I am immensely excited and privileged to share a truly nuts first extended session from the turntables of his home. 

Lights down low for this 🌃

@joshwha

Joshwha ... #24

Evie Weily, Sydney bound busy bee, is no stranger to the scene. As an avid music publicist and writer, her ear couldn’t be closer to the ground for what’s hot. Expect laidback synthy sounds to float you through day and night. 

Big love to Evie for the all killer no filler - don’t sleep

@evieweily

Evie ... #25

Tilly, the Bristolian beat-guru, has been holding down one of the best shows on NTS for donkey's years - crisscrossing through new wave, synth pop & soft rock. When away from airwaves and allotments, you’ll find her at the controls of forward-thinking parties such as Bristol’s Continuous Movement & London’s Night Work.

Dim the lights for a lovingly crafted mixtape of strictly mind-bending music - one I’ve already penned in my all-timers.

@tillydj

Tilly ... #26

The very first contribution to our mix series comes from Tel Avivian pal, Archive Digital, who gifted us something more mid-tempo than usual. 

Archive Digital needs little introduction to the digging community. His “Fantastic Planet” series has been knocking our socks off from day one. For those unfamiliar with it, don't worry, you're in good hands! Expect street soul, Japanese synth, and flamenco tinged house. 

@archivedigital

Archive Digital ... #1

The second instalment to our mix series comes from nice guy Bill Spencer.

We’re surprised Bill isn’t on everyone’s radar. Running a record store and killing parties in his hometown Detroit has landed him firmly on ours. Bill waltzes through his hour with laid-back synths and silky smooth street soul - enjoy!

@billspencer

For more fruit from the same tree check his channel - www.youtube.com/channel/UCGDlAg7fmut59amFMtC_e2g

Bill Spencer ... #2

This third instalment comes from Barney Graman aka Bongo Barns. 

We can’t get enough of Barney’s sound. Rocking it on the Amsterdam circuit, his choice selections range from super dub cuts, to jacking kwaito, hip house, refreshing boogie and so much more.  But above all he keeps one thing consistent - quality. 

A hot mix to match that Dutch heatwave.

@bongobarns
For more digs - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCwElMYYyALmkcwJuRj2Jfbg

Bongo Barns ... #3

Aussie maestro Mike Who steps up to lay down the sounds to our 4th instalment. 

Let weird private press boogie, lovers covers, dollar bin b side dubs, under the radar zouk burners and Brazilian rap sing from your speakers.

@mike-who

Mike Who ... #4

Dj eclipse 2000 and his crew Lorem Ipsum have been shedding light on some of the heaviest digs of recent memory. Following their first reissue, the elusive Nigerian hip hop record mama groove, Pierre treats us to a journey one step deeper.

Expect street soul, bhangra, brazilian hip-hop, nigerian records and more... 

@dj-eclipse-2000

Dj Eclipse 2000 (Lorem Ipsum) ... #5

New mix, thanks to young gun and golden guy, Cruce. 

This mix packs slow summer burners, and wistful wintery synths. No stranger to his hometown scene in Detroit, and playing sets for the Invisible City team, Cruce is cutting his teeth in all the right ways. The cold is coming in, but tune in for this hour and keep it at bay.

@cruce123

Cruce ... #6

Thanks to another new comer, Montana, for our first mix of the year! 

Rocking parties in her hometown Perth, supporting some very impressive names, and playing alongside the best diggers in the country, she’s no stranger to great music. However, we’re super excited to introduce her online. Tune in for breezy sounds, breezy mixing, and a showcase of that very same great music - this one’s a real treat.

@montana-bourke

Montana Rai ... #7

Anyone who’s chatted with Olya knows all about her great energy, and it comes through tenfold in her mixes. This deep selection sees drifting, lively and occasionally silly sounds - perfectly gift wrapped for an early hours dancefloor or a mid afternoon bounce in your chair. 
Enjoy!

@olya-smok

Olya Smok ... #8

2 baddest bois in the biz took a break from swanning around to lay down something serious. For everyone clued up on their fresh 4 Corners EP you kno this is gonna be hot to handle. Expect delicious dubs and gaussian grooves. 

To grips some heat -
https://goodblock.bandcamp.com/releases

@good-block

Good Block ... #9

Number 10 comes in hot from Maybe Tonight! There must be something in the Parisian water, amongst countless fantastic diggers in the city, these guys really shine through - look no further than their channel (link below). After catching them in the big city, we knew we had to have them on, and we’re really pleased to share this one with you all! It’s got that something special, laced with summer sounds from across the planet - tune in!

@maybe-tonight

YT - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCSwA5Yt8ZtiV0U5TdBPKpZA

Maybe Tonight ... #10

We thank Dom aka Aqua Marina, the legend behind some of our favourite ever digs, and key player in the infamous Montreal gang for number 11 in the series. A familiar face in his home city, you might spy Dom in amongst the crates by day, and hammering it out at your favourite club by night. This special mix is a little longer - as it should be! It touches on some of Dom’s favourite genres, both in depth and in style, from reggae to zouk to house. Tune in for a masterclass in laid-back beats and dance-floor treats.

@aquamarinamtl

Aqua Marina MTL ... #11

Dam, stop what you're doing, take a min, this is a special one. For the past year Callum has helped me sway the nicest heads in the game to allow us all a peak at their most serious jams. Behind closed doors, I have had the pleasure of being let in on countless melters of his, of which he often kindly shares with you, over on youtube. 

Sadly, life, as it does, throws a curveball and practicality has meant he will no longer be on hand with Free Dots. I couldn't think of a more fitting way to conclude his journey than to have him lock down the 1 year anniversary show. 

Tear jerking and reminiscing aside, this is crazy hot - watch out!

@cduff1

Callum Duff ... #12

Izaak, one part of the Californian crew Loveshadow, delivers a sound soaked in style and without comparison. In no rush, it travels through overlooked synth pop and new wave gems, before building to balearic pop rock and Raï anthems and a sprinkling of Italo for good measure. My highest seal of approval on this - seriously one for the heads!

@loveshadowdjs

Izaak (Loveshadow) ... #13

Canadian gangsta Earl Grey, head honcho to reggae reissue label Shella Records, steps up to treat the posse to a rare extended mix of sim simma untraceable burners!! 

Majorrr tip, check his new documentary (link below) for a lil taste of what it looks like to get your diggin mittens dirty

@shella-records
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pd-ZwfonbCg

Earl Grey (Shella Records) ... #14

Bad bois behind Mercredi Records, who just let loose a steamer of a first release (link below), treat the crew to a wheel up blend of front left, rock a bye baby riddims!

In their words, "an astral journey from the late 80s to the early 2000s, navigating across DIY dance music, worldwide urban sounds and chilled vibes."

Shoes off when entering the sauna!!

@mercredirecords
https://mercredirecords.bandcamp.com/releases

Mercredi Records ... #15

Ding! Fresh out the oven is a super special steamin selection from head chef Ensoul. Sit yourself down and tuck into an hour 20 of fall off the bone/quorn melters. 

Certified Free Michelin stars!!

Toronto bound homies keep an ear to the ground for Ensoul's Pillow Talk parties! 

@ensoulmusic

Ensoul ... #16

Hold tight as London based don Ritmo Tempo reveals a royal flush of selections. Expect ethereal cloud 9 cassettes, dubbed out delights and obscure diy rap anthems!

Seriouslyyy deep one - get to know

@ritmo-tempo

Ritmo Tempo ... #17

From the comfort of your home Elise, one half of Mokomizik, rewinds the starry night disco-tech. Wheeled up is an hour of strictly wax boogie bangers, sure to shake. And for the Copenhagen crew not in the know this is the duo that masterminds the Love Jamboree parties. So yeah, this is a serious selection, sit tight …

@mokomizik

Mokomizik ... #18

This mixtape, straight from Seoul, is a masterclass in flow - rare grooves effortlessly floating into the realm of chug and oddball hands in the air anthems 💫

Yeah, get to know, as Taelyn is sure to give the city a shakedown the moment this fiasco allows 

Stay safe gang good times are to come ❤️

@taelyns

Taelyn ... #19

Adriana, as part of the Crown Ruler crew has had a serious string of outings, touching down in sacred spots such as Brilliant Corners, Red Light Radio & NTS whilst touching elbows with the best loved heads in the game like Lauren Hansom, John Gomez & Millos Kaiser - to name a few. 

Naturally, you can understand my excitement. Go grab your lounge chair and slip into this seriously personal journey to jam central!!

@goodlucktoyourdad

Adriana ... #20

Niall, a certified dan of the digging scene & former La Casa Tropical crew member, has been at the top of my hit list for this series since Day 1. Genuinely one of the soundest & dustiest fingers on the scene. 

This extended 2 hours 20 pulls together a collection of the most ice cold next big thing 7s and cassettes. Expect dancehall/rap/kwaito/soca tips. 

One for the times...

Niall Kirk ... #21

For those outside of the Edinburgh bubble in which they reign supreme, the Hand-made crew (Lewis, Euan & Coll) have locked down every backdoor basement and audiophile bar the city has to offer over the last few years. 

Flashback to a family throwdown almost 2 years back where I first caught them deep in their element, picture baking sun an outdoor sound system and flowing beers, I knew these dons digs were deep. 

Now fast forward to this blessed day, I have the privilege to share their grandmaster sleight at getting people out of their chairs and keeping them there. Expect, a flicker through reggae and lovers rock into heartfelt downtempo and zouk.

Ones to watch always and forever x

@hand-madedjs

Hand-made ... #22

Love to the og Hampus for having me 💛
Was too much fun throwing this together - enjoy!! ✨✨

NTS "Doing Time" w/ Free Dots

Mixes provided by pals
Looked after by Harry James

2022:

04.11 Poly Dub Sound, Post Bar, London
16.09 Hang Dai, Dublin 
19.07 Secret Sundaze, London
21.05 The Edge, Seoul, w/ Taelyn
13.05 Low Profile Studios, London w/ Joshwha & Callum 
01.05 Cafe Artum, Birmingham w/ On The Rocks Records
22.04 The Laughing Heart, London 
26.03 The Nook, London w/ Oranj 
04.03 The Rubicon, London w/ Frank Radio
19.02 Brilliant Corners, London w/ Good Block

2021:

31.10 The Rubicon, London
8.10 Le 9B, Paris w/ Mercredi Records
10.09 Cosmic Roots Festival, Norfolk

Free Dots

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