There are two sides to Cairo-based DJ and producer Hassan Abou Alam's sonic output. While one focuses on the ambient and atmospheric, the other is a form of organised chaos, that matches both synthetic and analogue sound.

These creations have landed on several labels over the last few years including Cologne's Traum Schallplatten, Audiolith and Morocco's Casa Voyager, as well as a very well received debut on Violet's naivety imprint, a sub-label of naive. Local label Rakete was another space for him this year, with him contributing a track to their Quest compilation, before making a return earlier this month for his first solo EP on the imprint, the aptly named Hope Amid Despair.

Following the release, we handed over the reigns to him for this week's Shine A Light On mix, which moves through the spaces between house, breaks, grime and bass. Get yourself acquainted...

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Hassan Abou Alam: The 'Shine A Light On' Mix

Hassan Abou Alam is one of Egypt’s musical exports, steadily publishing his work since 2008 on diverse labels such as Naive, Banoffee Pies, Rhythm Section, Casa Voyager and more.

Since 2008, Hassan has been playing around with his gear, forging multiple live performances. A hard to pin down sound that utilizes analog and digital instruments, a form of organized chaos that he portrays with extreme finesse—his Boiler Room set last year is testament to his genre bending capabilities. Through Red Bull’s RBMA Abou Alam was given a chance to mingle musically with the ancient people of Luxor. The result? A phenomenal live performance in Cairo two years ago fusing traditional folklore with electronica, successfully pinning him as one of Egypt’s most versatile musicians.

His sound as a DJ is constantly evolving, springing to life through the crevices of house, breaks, noise, bass, grime, techno and more.

Ransom Note is an online music, arts and culture magazine. We provide a home for readers and writers with boundless enthusiasm, esoteric knowledge, fierce opinions and impeccable taste.

With our core team immersed in all aspects of dance music, we publish news, articles, and interviews covering the greatest in innovative, underground culture from across the globe. We offer regular, exclusive music and mixtapes from our favourite artists, and publish features shining a light on everything from the freshest new artists to the untold tales from rave history.

Alongside this we offer musings on film, books, life, and art, generating some context and controversy as an antidote to the reheated PR that clogs up the internet. Our office is fuelled by Tunnock’s Bars, cat memes, hangovers and a ridiculous, never ending love for our culture.

We're always interested in getting new writers on board – feel free to get in touch if you’ve got a story to tell.

With love until the grave.

Surreal Black Community

Only trippy. Maybe black.

a.k.a. East Cho and the part of Taran & Lomov, Queer On Acid, Phonetica, Amber Muse Records

EST. 2020
Record label by @baher_eid

Rakete is an independent record label based out of Egypt.

CAT:

[QUEST001] Rakete Presents: Cairo Quest VA [2020]

[RKT01] Hassan Abou Alam - Hope Amidst Despair EP [2020]

[RKT02] Postdrone - Ready For Nothing EP [2021]

[RKT03] Molotof - Gabal Ahmar LP [2022]