Welcoming Miss Jay on to playlist duties. Based in Groningen, Club OOST is Jay’s home where she experiments both as a club resident and curator of progressive events. Her sound is thoroughly considered though still carries a wonky and unpredictable charm. Think broad, meandering soundscapes that urge you off into a distant world while simultaneously keeping you present through the use of functional rhythm.
‘When I listen, I see worlds and attach feeling. I synthesize sounds into cinematic shots. I could have spent weeks deciding what sort of setting I wanted my selection to take place in. I chose the theme of an endless desert to envision elongated repetitive sounds in a story line to encompass the different emotional states that can surface whilst endlessly walking through a desert. It’s what I live for -storylines through auditory escapades.’
EARTH TO INFINITY - The Gate [Source Records, 1992]
A track by Deep Space Network, one of my favourite collaborations between musicians David Moufang (Move D) and Jonas Grossman. The whole album is quite eerie in nature, but this track takes me to the start of the desert adventure, with a certain novel yet cautious energy. Variations in sound elicit mixed feelings and a subtle thrill.
Expect rattles and tablas, there are snakes and you are in the orient after all.
ALEXKID - Mint [F Communications, 2003]
With a special appearance from Jon Hassell on the trumpet, you can expect esoteric, transcultural sounds drizzled in melancholia. There’s something about the repetitive percussion and loose variation in arrangement that push a feeling of endlessness for me.
THE LUSHLIFE PROJECT - Futujara Lake (The Zoohacker Exotic Lounge Remake) [Parasol Phonotheque, 2009]
Not much history on this track except for my own. Thanks to my pops’ CD collection, mini me would listen to this track in the car and get lost in my own imaginary worlds. The oriental flair and chord progression combined with aquatic noises (liquid sounds) immediately bring me to a moment of relief when finding an oasis in the desert to lavish in.
ANCESTRAL VOICES - Invocations [Samurai Horo, 2015]
It is getting dark and the idea of a lonesome desert adventure seems like a bad one. The creatures begin to come out at night and the sounds of danger begin engulfing you. Those rattle snakes are out to get you.
SHAKLETON - Death Is Not Final [Skull Disco, 2008]
But... Death is not final. You learn to dance with your enemies of the dark, tantalizing them into submission.
I fucking love Shakleton, a genius of our time.
PETER GABRIEL - Sandstorm [Various Releases, 1989]
Taken from Peter Gabriel’s film scores that further developed into an album months after the release of ‘The Last Temptation of Christ’. An award winning album that has been seen as a catalyst to the popularisation of world music.
The whole album is well equipped for a desert walk, but this song in particular highlights the start of a new day when the sun comes out after dancing with your enemies all night. However, a sandstorm is approaching and you must seek shelter in the oasis shrubs…
OPTIC EYE - Trance Dance [Mystic Stones, 1992]
Hiding in the shrubs, you spot a cactus calling your attention.
This song is one of guidance; through the lows and highs of the mescaline journey.
The “Ethnodelic” take on early rave and trance music. Getting lost in these catalogues is fun!
THE MAGHREBAN - Elka [Zoot Records, 2017]
This song seems so conclusive to me. I like how timid the album is in comparison to his other works. Coming out of your trip, settling into reality to continue your endless walking, but this time with a heightened sense of optimism.
