GUIDE SD: The Local Mixtape Collection Vol. 1

It’s nice to always be at your service with a track or two daily from somewhere within EDM sphere. However, I know what you all really want: You want long, continuous streams of luscious new sounds, mixed with some ol’ familiar faves. Who doesn’t? Mixes get you through the day, get you pumped up for a sexy night out on the town, and get your heart pumpin’ at the gym. Mixtapes aren’t just music, they are a lifestyle — daily soundtracks for your day to day routine.

Now some mixes can be, well, poorly done, curated, and timed. Bad song selection, transitions, and exhausting lengths, can damper the whole production if not taken seriously enough or if they feel rushed. More importantly, and what some DJs seem to forget at times: Mixes are supposed to provide insight into the DJ or producer’s mind. Mixes are supposed to deliver tunes and sounds the DJ, him or herself know will make you go wild now; but they should also, bore insight into which direction he or she believes a particular sound will be taking us in the future.

DJs get access to the freshest tracks in the world, and it is their duty to present us with their  personal savvy — their attuned knowledge of new music; Not keep us drowning in the past with shitty Ghosts n’ Stuff mashups and “Show me Love” in general. (Don’t get me wrong I *like* those too, but there’s a time and a place for those dirty little sonic indulgences….)

Now what? So after HOURS AND HOURS of groaning through infuriatingly bad — like some SO bad that they were borderline OFFENSIVE — mixes, I have thus compiled my list of those few gorgeous aural gems I came across. The best of the best, from our very own San Diego tastemakers, from behind the decks and in the studio — mixes made for you.

Don’t be quick to disregard: San Diego is absolutely TEEMING with outstanding talent. In my opinion, one or two of these mixes below could be easily mistaken for a production that came from any world class, Beatport-charting talent. You’ll know it when you hear it. So have a listen for yourself below:

Big Room House/Tech House

Resident DJ at Voyeur Nightclub and producer, Anthony Ross has had quite the year. But THIS month, has been particularly overwhelming and exciting for young Anthony!!

Tiesto, (YES TIESTO) featured Ross’ unreleased remix by Enton Mushi of his track “Feel Me” in his podcast Club Life 188 just earlier this month. After a recent surge of recognition in the EDM world, the anticipation for Ross’ “Feel Me” Remix EP pt. II, has been at an all time high.

Anthony Ross is typically either behind the decks at Voyeur, opening for momentous names like Dirty South, and coming up, Axwell and Mark Knight. Or, he’s locked himself away in his studio like some kind of mad scientist, spending hours upon hours, brewing and perfecting every last little sonic detail in his tracks with the utmost sensitivity to sound. The result: stunningly executed and positively mesmerizing big room worthy house music.

Now this mix. Anthony Ross’ Sanctimony mix is something pretty special. I am ALL about the sound machine Anthony Ross is driving and even after an hour of the upbeat goodness, I’m still clawing for more. Steaming hot big room house intertwining the body-ooze worthy floorflooders, the majority of the Sanctimony mix features Anthony Ross’ own original tracks – a series of beaming sonic drives. Its  sounds whisk your mind away to the absolute quintessential evening at Voyeur, clutching a vodka soda and drooling in front of that delicious LED light wall. Turn on this mix at an after-party set in a dark underground room if you’re looking to absolutely blow your mind into a million little rainbow sprinkles.

Anthony Ross – Sanctimony [DJ Mix] by anthonyross

Download the Full Mix as well as a *NEW* track Here.
Anthony Ross Official Website
Anthony Ross Fanpage

Nu Disco/ Crowd Pleaser

David Afterlife is somewhat new to the live arena in SD but man does his presence at the club make a statement. David is one of those extremely good lookin’ hipster boys American Apparel model scouts have been scouring the globe for all these years, in search for “the one”. But aside from his dashing appearance, David Afterlife also, indeed has a wonderful way with sound. With an impeccable ear for detail, Afterlife is the kind of guy who could mash up live blue grass with “Cross the Dancefloor” and call it a banger.  I only wish I were that clever to come up with that analogy on my own… I’ve actually heard the guy do precisely that with my own ears. So unreal. But, well, very real…

David Afterlife’s mix Autumn Demands House Minimix 2010 is a saucy and sonically-fluctuating curation of familiar sounds that’s both big sounding when it needs to be, and sparkly and light-hearted when it “just feels right”. The transitions are stunningly seamless. His impeccable timing really couldn’t be more precise. This is the type of beautiful aural curation you can and should lose yourself in: The mix is approximately 35 minutes long but the manner in which Afterlife has crafted this flowy production makes it feel like merely only 7 minutes have passed. THINK: The world’s most perfect cardio mix.

But it’s absolutely more than just a gym rat jam. Duh.

David Afterlife’s funky, fresh takes on current faves make this THE mix for RIGHT NOW. But nonetheless you can feel Afterlife’s next moves forward in the type of driving sound he exhibits throughout his mix: Funk-minded, building waves of punchy bass, and powerful layers of melodic vocals and infectious hooks are all sonic tactics Afterlife will presumably integrate into his sets. Add a sinful dash of his disco-loving indulgences and witness as from floor to ceiling, wall to wall, and smile to smile — everything is illuminated.

Autumn Demands House Minimix 2010 by David Afterlife

NOTE: David Afterlife has been kind enough to include his entire track listing below (Reminder: a RARE practice) so please listen and enjoy responsibly.

Boys Noize-Yeah (Original Mix)
Armand Van Helden -Playmate (Jesse Rose Remix)
Azari & III-Indigo (Original Mix)
Justin Martin, Ardalan-Mr. Spock (Original Mix)***
Pitto-Sea Lion Woman (Original Mix)
James Talk, Ridney-Forever (Original Mix)
Nightcrawlers-Push The Feeling On (David Afterlife Edit)
CeCe Peniston-(Bart B More Remix)
Treasure Fingers-Lift Me (Original Mix)
Aniki-Lesbian Bondage Fiasco (Original Mix)

David Afterlife Facebook
David Afterlife Twitter

DUBSTEP WHOMP WHOMP/ UK Funk

Headshake, one of the pioneers behind the wayyyyy under the radar and on the cusp of something wonderful blog Mintphonic, has created one whomping masterpiece. It’s pretty jaw-droppingly addictive. And for peeps who fear the unrelentingly grinding bass of super massive dubstep beats, this showcase, Mintphonic Live, presents layer after impressive layer of approachable sounds; yet it successfully maintains its undeniable grimy edge without skipping an oscillating beat.

The mix is broken up with poppy-Rhianna-esque vocals and a few hip hop points, adding heaps to its familiarity factor (*very important in my opinion for dupstep compilations geared towards a wider audience) while still reppin’ that unique brand of blood-curdling drones that envelop particular moments, without fully eclipsing Headshake’s overall purpose of this mix. The WTF remix of Dead Prez “It’s Bigger than Hip Hop” courses down that slow-moving grime, whilst Headshake infuses a little Caribe-minded drop to ignite new energy into the overall production. I’m an absolute sucker for steel drums, so of course Headshake’s inclusion of these tropical sounds is positively and warmly welcomed on my behalf indeed.

It’s beyond any flicker of doubt obvious that Headshake is indeed one forward-listening individual. His proud infusion of UK Funky intermingling his unabashed passion for searing dubstep corruption is apparent. Thus, demonstrating Headshake’s personal mission to bring the emerging brand of sound into fruition, on the local level. As, sadly, one of the only individuals in San Diego with an unrelenting conviction to summon forth the UK funk, keep your ear to the ground by checking back constantly on Headshake’s Fan page for deets on his upcoming shows.

Mintphonic Live

Headshake Official Website
Headshake Fan Page

Tropical Tech/Cumbia/Party Starter

We clued you into this killer mix by Turbo Teen not too long ago – to get the full rundown READ MORE HERE. Or you can skip the content and just get to the good stuff below:

Turbo Teen Live at AWOL Festival 2010

Turbo Teen Official Website
Turbo Teen FanPage

By: TD
Main Photo courtesy of Tim King of TimKingPhoto.com

Think I’m missing something special? Think your mix should of made the cut? Talk to me! Email me here.