These two years for shure have changed the way we listen to music. As clubs have been, and some still are closed, there’s a global desperation to hear good sets of club music again. I know for myself that I’ve been buying way more club music during the pandemic than what I used to. Exploring club music on Spotify and Apple Music is a fucking joke, and the importance of mixes and diggers sharing music online feels bigger now than ever. The curious collectors across the globe are more inspiring to me now than ever. Hampus is one of those. A 28 year old bedroom producer, DJ and record collector hailing from Kalmar in Sweden. He’s also featured on a upcoming club music compilation for our label. His Mutual Mix was originally titled ‘Deep In Adriatic’ and features a selection of 90’s house music he’s been hunting down during the pandemic. 

Enjoy the mix as much as us and let’s all pray this shit will be over some what soon!

For track ID's, holler at @hampuss

Mutual Mix #15: Hampus (SE)

@aleqsnotal is a French DJ & producer of electronic music, passionate about underground, house, techno and hip-hop, as well as funk and soulful rhythms. He’s been hosting his show since 2015, through a finely crafted selection, both atmospheric and percussive : a journey through Aleqs Notal’s universe.

Rinse France Podcast

Aleqs Notal, Hugo LX & Osagie - 21 Septembre 2022

Zopelar arrives on Tartelet Records with Charme – an album of effervescent machine funk harking back to a golden era of Brazilian party music, releasing October 21.

Stemming from an emotional sincerity to reconnect with his Brazilian background, Pedro Zopelar releases a 10-track celebration of life, music, and good times enjoyed.

The album is inspired by a particular phenomenon that caught on at suburban parties in 1980s Rio de Janeiro:

“Charme was like a mix of slow boogie, R’n’B and new jack swing. DJ Corello started calling ‘charme’ the moment at a party when he played slow grooves and the people started dancing with sexier, synchronized moves. On this record I tried to make something that brings this feeling out in a modern way,”
Zopelar says.

Much like the original genre-not-genre he drew inspiration from, Zopelar’s approach across his latest LP spans different moods and tempos. There’s blissful, sultry mystery lingering around “Clara” and “Do You Feel?” while “OSAGIE” lends some chops to the exquisite, Rompler-powered synth funk of “Chain Net”.

The lead singles “Charme”, “Shibuya” and “Passado” all tap into varying shades of deep house, from slinky City Pop-tinted loungers to peak-time dance pop and Larry Heard-influenced flavors, with the constant being Zopelar’s immaculate production and the unbridled warmth of his compositions.

Zopelar’s music has been emotionally charged since he first broke through on Brazilian labels like Mister Mistery and D-Edge, before connecting to international crews like Apron, Connaisseur, and Endless. As a multi-instrumentalist growing up in rural Minas Gerais, his musical training has been applied to various collaborative projects such as My Girlfriend, Radioworkers, and Sphynx.

Continuing the Latin-rooted theme of Charme, the artwork conception of Charme was realized by multidisciplinary artist and curator Ode, showcasing a popular style of street paintings made by anonymous artists throughout Latin America, using walls to paint food and drink menus and the like.

Charme is out October 28. on vinyl and digital.

Charme

:: Zopelar -  Charme LP Snippets - Tartelet Records 2022 ::

This afternoon FWM broadcast live from Atlanta with deep house, soul and funk. Listen back.

**For the first time in our 7 year history, we’re asking you, our listeners to help support and build a better Balamii. By subscribing monthly you can contribute to the future of Balamii and help us to continue to nurture our creative community. From as little as £3 a month you'll help cover the cost of generating thousands of hours of great radio and support up and coming artists. As thanks, you’ll receive a code for 20% off our merchandise (code sent 24-48hrs after you subscribe) as well as being the first to hear about our events. Our goal is to develop new features that improve our service and therefore build a better Balamii for our family of artists and listeners.**

FWM Radio w/ Stefan Ringer - November 2022

@fredfades or @rulefinn for track ID. Recorded live at Parksalongen, Oslo.

Taffel - Fredfades & Julefinn  15.12.22

@trularisa

1. Great selection! Could you tell us a bit about how your musical journey came to be?

Back in Romania I didn't have so many opportunities to become a DJ, or learn about this craft. Therefore, this process happened slowly - I started off very shy with liqud Drum'n'Bass, then I decided to include more styles I was listening to, such as R'n'B/Hip-hop and its roots Soul, Funk, Disco and even some Jazz. Later, inevitably, my musical horizon became wider and wider, as I fell in love with Reggae, Afrobeat, Zouk, House, Electro and other musical areas I'm still learning about. I must admit, moving to Berlin exposed me to the most enriching experience music-wise so far.

2. We heard a range of genres in your mix and were wondering, what would you say are your biggest inspirations or influences?

This is always a hard one. There are so many I feel it would be unfair to those who I will not mention. Still... I think it evolved with time. 

At first it was Hip-hop legends such as Pete Rock, Mos Def, Queen Latifah, Missy Elliott & more. Around 10 years ago, I got heavily into Dâm-Funk. This led me to discover artists like Fatima, for instance, but mostly it really opened my appetite for more music of the past. That's how I came across Roy Ayers, Gil Scott Heron, Aretha Franklin, Manu Dibango, Fania Records, The Belleville Three and sooo many others. Each musical direction I come across and learn about, has its own legends, influences, and inspiration. I should really mention, at this point, the huge impact Reggae titans such as Sly and Robbie or Dennis Bovell, had on my journey.

3. What's the story behind your Smoothin' Groovin' party series? We'd love to know!

Well, it started in the pandemic as an online radio show/live stream. Although it was something I did mainly for the people back home, it somehow managed to get some attention here in Berlin as well, and soon after when the clubs re-opened, I was offered the chance of doing SG a regular dance at Crack Bellmer. 

From the very beginning, one of the main ideas around the party series is inclusiveness. As I've mentioned, my influences are multiple and I try to make space for each of them. Still, the venue is best known for its electronic music events, so I've concluded the best way to do this series is by finding or building bridges. At some point it might feel as a Paradise Garage selection, sometimes later it might feel like a UK Blues Party vibe, and after that, one might feel the energy of the Detroit's New Dance Show or the hotness of a Colombian Picó Soundsystem. And sooo much more. If you think of interesting ways of bringing all this together without boring or scaring the people off the dancefloor, everything basically goes. That's how I look at it. I always tried to find selectors as openminded/openhearted as I am, and so far it worked each and every time. Besides the parties, SG is back in radio format, broadcasting regularly on Refuge Worldwide.

I guess the best definition could be found in the name itself. Both words have equal significance: "Smoothin" stands for the overall atmosphere and vibe we try to create, while "Groovin" stands for the level of energy we try to attain. So ultimately my dream is to give you some peace of mind, while keeping your body dancing.

Paradisco 018 // Tru:L

Jean-Michel de la Night @ Kiosk Radio 23.02.2023

A selections of soulful R&B and alt. hip hop gems this month from Wussah. Tracks from the likes of Ojerime, Jessy Lanza and more inside.

**For the first time in our 7 year history, we’re asking you, our listeners to help support and build a better Balamii. By subscribing monthly you can contribute to the future of Balamii and help us to continue to nurture our creative community. From as little as £3 a month you'll help cover the cost of generating thousands of hours of great radio and support up and coming artists. As thanks, you’ll receive a code for 20% off our merchandise (code sent 24-48hrs after you subscribe) as well as being the first to hear about our events. Our goal is to develop new features that improve our service and therefore build a better Balamii for our family of artists and listeners.**

Subscribe here - www.balamii.com/supporters

Wussah - February 2023

In October of this year, Bliss Point was invited to host a takeover of @radio80000 to feature the sound of the label & party. The takeover featured hourlong mixes from six artists who have payed the Bliss Point party, released on the Bliss Point label, or both.

@koichisue rounded out the takeover with an hour of melodic club sounds.

Ko Yang | Bliss Point x Radio 80k Takeover

Summer Anthem

Chill House

Copenhagen-based record label founded in 2007