This week on Topshelf we’re delighted to have with us, one of our artists of the year in Japanese resident and balaeric champion, Max Essa.


Having been producing and DJ’ing since the 90’s, Max Essa is both a Dj’s Dj and a Producers Producer with class oozing out of his record collection, as well as through his body of work which has seen it supported by the likes of Andrew Weatherhall & David Mancuso. 

With a highly unique style often blending elements of ambience, soul and funk, his early releases like ‘2 be the one U like’, ‘Uptown Vibration’, ‘Caress’, ‘How Do U Feel?’ & ‘Water Business’ perfectly encapsulate the rebirth of a sound lost since the 80’s, utilising rich, deep synths, airy guitars, slapping baselines and infectious piano chords to mold his distinctive sound.

2024 has seen Max Essa continue his never ending golden era with 4 EP’s including the release of the beautifully crafted ‘We Live in the Hills’ with Eddie C which is in our opinion, the EP of the Year, with the record playing like an instrumental to a lost Fleetwood Mac album with hints of Crazy P. Genius and genuinely some of the most inspiring work we’ve heard this year, from an EP we will never stop listening to.
This year also saw a wonderful collaboration with Berlin based Englishman David Harks on ‘The Clean Trip’ EP, an moodie, indie dance release showcasing Essa still knows exactly how to work a vocal with every tracks ‘Plastic Bones’, ‘Magic Eyes’, ‘Blind Horizons’ & ‘Lobster Boys’ all being a certified moonlight anthems.

Now with a mix for us which delivers in full, we are delighted to present Topshelf 0128 with one of our Artists of the Year in Max Essa. Enjoy.

Roberto Aglieri feat Stefano Faravelli - Danza N1(Feel Fly Meditan ’TrippyRemix) 
Totem Projects x Howler - SeeTheStars(OriginalMix)
Cheap Edits - Cozmika 
Caio Cenci -Vestida De Verde
Tambien - Deep Hai
Elado - Sawanna (Radio Edit)
Cantoma - Estalaro (Faze Action Dub)
Willie - Shoreline Orbs 
100th Monkey- Raindance (Manuel Darquart Remix)
Euro Nettuno - Diavolo
Deep Beats Vol1 - A1
Pahua - Pa’lanté feat. Acid Coco (Tigerbalm Remix)
Isabel Roberts -Love Dub (Pete Herbert Version)

The Library LMD Presents Topshef 0128 w/ Max Essa

Singer/DJ/Producer based in Manchester also Founder of Event Organisers The Library - LMD.

For bookings and mixes message - https://www.instagram.com/wattraven/

Max Essa has been active as a producer and DJ since the early 90s, initially releasing music on labels including Warp Records and Paper Recordings and DJing alongside the infamous D.i.Y Sound System.

His later work, for labels like Is It Balearic? Recordings, went on to be play-listed by legends such as Andrew Weatherall and David Mancuso, gaining him a devoted following and DJ bookings around the world. 

Albums for the Japanese major label, Victor Entertainment ('Vacations Never Taken' 2015) and Music For Dreams ('Lanterns' 2018), plus EPs for labels including Hell Yeah! Recordings and Razor N Tape (with Eddie C), and a constant stream of remixes for labels like Compost, Ubiquity, Faze Action and Leng have shown him to be a prolific and deeply imaginative producer.

Since 2008 he has been based in Japan where he plays regularly at clubs and events around the country, from Hokkaido to Okinawa.
From 2010 - 2023 he was a resident DJ at the Lone Star parties, and later the Zim Zam Zu! events at the legendary, Bar Bonobo and for over a decade has been a resident at the ever popular, Aoyama Tunnel in Tokyo.

Events company and bank for DJ's & music lovers alike.
Archiving our favourite undergound tracks from around the world.
Based in Manchester. 

Most Recent Event - 

07.11.24 - Export 001 @ XLR Manchester
w/ Dani Whylie, Reimond & Raven Krista

History of Events - 
Swansea Bambu Residency - 2017 - 2018 
Notable Guests- Amedeo Picone - Celly 

24.02.18 - Sin City, Swansea 
The Library LMD Present's Apollo 1 w/ Riva Starr, PAX, The Library 

Lightforms Series @ Basement 45, Bristol - The Library X Sweet Dreams

22.02.20 - LF001 w/ Eksish, Erich M3, Hywel Gregory, Jack Keo, Raven Krista, Red Jasper, william 
22.05.21 - LF002 (Live) w/ MEDUZA, Papa Kranich, Raven Krista, Red Jasper 
28.10.21 - LF003 w/ N-GYNN, Jack Keo, Busby +, Raven Krista, Red Jasper, william

Doppler Series @ Tapestry Brewery 

17.11.21 - Doppler 001 w/ Eksish, Bill B2B Local Motive, Amber Leaf, Red Jasper B2B william, Raven Krista
16.02.22 - Doppler 002 w/ MEDUZA, Channer, Local Motive, Raven Krista, Sam Walker, william

Parch Disco Series @ Tapestry Brewery

29.07.21 - PD001 w/ Freddie Gracie, Portimao, Raven Krista, Red Jasper
28.08.21 - PD002 w/ Celly, Maskell, Peeves, Raven Krista, Red Jasper
25.09.21 - PD003 w/ Celly, Freddie Gracie, Maskell, Portimao, Raven Krista, Red Motive
30.10.21 - PD004 La Collectif Takeover w/ Alex Berry, Chickie, Oh See, Portimao
27.11.21 - PD005 w/ DJ Soft White Bap, Freddie Gracie, Maskell, Raven Krista, Salt

Balearic, Downtempo, Jazz, Disco, House, Ambient, Deep etc.  Podcasts & Mixes.

hotel septembar, podgorica, montenegro

sitni muzički kolači

DJ 🎧 dancer 🕺 doctor 👨🏻‍⚕️ yoger 🧘‍♂️

Jansen Jardin is a record label based in Japan.