Dylan’s Favorites | Dylan Drazen

Only Deep (2003)

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Note – Due to SoundCloud being assholes I will need to reupload this mix without it starting cold with the Schmoov track. Check back for updates. (May 2012)

I will say that this is probably the finest collection of tracks I’ve ever found. It’s the mix that once literally brought me to tears.

In 2003, I wrote:

“whenever i set up to record a house mix, there are inevitably a few records that must get left out, mostly because they are too deep, time doesn’t permit and don’t fit with the rest of the mix. here are those neglected babies, crying out for empathy. this is not peaktime music! one wednesday night i turned down the lights in the studio almost to the point where it was pitch black in the room, turned up the system real loud, and absolutely got lost in it. in today’s depressed music industry, the beautiful and intelligent tracks get left out, replaced by candy coated bullshit. the artists represented here have obviously recorded these soulful gems for the love. they were released between 2002 and 2003, largely under the radar.”

Recorded live at Tetanus Studio, Brooklyn 06.04.2003

Schmoov! – Playground – DIY
Vincenzo – The Charmer – Dessous
Osunlade – Beloved – Soul Jazz
Cpen – Follow The Shine Pt. 1 – Aesoteric
Patrick Richard – Runnin – Route 33
Rebuild – Late Night Cycling (Gerd rmx) – Duplex
Sweet Abraham – Couldn’t Catch You When I Fell – Diaspora
Rasoul feat. Star Stern – Reality Remix – Soulfood
Dylan Drazen – What Will She Do (unreleased)
Elesse – Liberian Girl – BlackJack
Mike & Steven Sugar – Flight@Night – Milk&Sugar
Dalminjo – Cruz Persille – Deeplay
Westpark Unit feat. Victor Davies – Fade Away – Draft
outro

Double Miles (2002)

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Another terribly important mix to me, this comes second only to Only Deep. It’s yet another demonstration of how special the late 90s and early 2000s were for house.

In 2002 I wrote:

“80 minute deep house mix originally recorded for lars behrenroth’s deeper shades of house radio show, broadcasted on germany’s JAM FM 07.20.02. a bit of post-production fun found its way into this mix. what originally started out as quite well rounded, the mood took hold and i realized how many smooth jams needed to be immortalized. hence this is probably one of the deepest mixes up on the site to date.”

recorded at tetanus studio, 06.25.2002 – brooklyn

Ciudad Feliz – Airport – Silver Network
Tiefschwarz – You (Dub) – Classic
Word Of Mouth – Reach Out – Quiet Riot
Shukie feat. Olalekan Babalola – Apna Musaik (Modaji rmx) – Rekawa Sound
Martin Solveig – Someday (Spen & Karizma rmx) – Mixture
Ken Norris & Demon Ritchie – Love Makes You Right – Gatitude
Soul Central – Song For Sharma – Clean Cut
DJ Fudge – Tafina – KIF
Monsieur Charles – Light Of The Sun – Electronic Jazz
Marschmellows – Flash Fried (Needs rmx) – Audiopharm
[Digital Underground – Doowutchyalike]
Mazi feat. Colette – Do You Want Me? (Freestyle Man rmx) – Brique Rouge
P. Lauer – Handcuffs – Séparé
BRS – Treat Me So Bad (JT Donaldson rmx) – Cyclo
[Donald Fagen – I.G.Y. (What A Beautiful World)]
DJ Rasoul – Quiet Storm – Large
Kim English – Been So Long (Wamdue rmx) – Hysteria
DJ Rasoul – Quiet Storm – Large
[Anita Baker – Been So Long]

dd24: Carry On (2002)

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Just like dd21 and dd23 are in a tie for my favorite techno mixes, dd24 is in a dead heat with dd22 for my favorite house mixes. The early 2000s were an equally special time for hard techno and deep house, and I’m happy to have been a part of it.

“And every sista in here has tried that shit at least one time, baby!”

Performed January 2002 at Tetanus Studio, Brooklyn

The Kick Inside – Lush Life – Brique Rouge
Pound Boys – T’s Theme – Bumpin’ City
Brett Johnson/Demarkus Lewis – The Snooze Button – Roam
Fusion Groove Orchestra + Simon Green – The Dream – Curious
St. Germain – Sure Thing (Todd Edwards rmx) – Blue Note
Paul Jays – Lava Love – Kaos
DJ Spinna – Groove – Sole
Tiefschwarz – Schwanitz – Classic
Modjo – What I Mean (Mood II Swing rmx) – Modjo
Louis Benedetti – Doin’ Da Boogie – ProgCity
Stacy Kidd – Love & Tenderness – Riviera
Nova Fronteira – Calma – Z Records
Sunaga t Experience – Chitose Airport (Swag rmx) – Flower
Hanna – The Rose – Lumi
Ronin – Jazz Dirt – Primary
Playin’ 4 The City feat. Janice Leca – Show Me Love – Straight Up
Shunt Limit – In My Life – WideLeft
Kick Squad – Walk South Central – Pêng
Next Evidence – Interlude – Basic

dd23: No Carrier (2002)

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More incredible tracks from techno’s renaissance period of 2001. It’s a trick, get an axe!

Performed January 2002 at Tetanus Studio, Brooklyn

Byron Bogues – This Place Is Everything – Choke
Byron Bogues – Hydra – Eruptive
Tobias Knobloch – Goodmorning – Episode
Rexxx – S.O.S. – D Records
Coming Soon – Ozonic – EC Records
Paul Mac – Elvis Beats (Ben Sims edit) – Stimulus
Deetron – Robotics – Phont
Regis – White Stains – Downwards
Si Begg – Welcome (Gayle San rmx) – Compressed
Greg Gow – Project 004 – Default
Electronic Home Entertainment – 24.24 – Federation of Drums
Dylan Drazen – Engine – Remains
Subhead – Q Hey (Shufflemaster rmx) – Subhead
Zank + g/b – Health Meter – Housedust
Immersion – Nose Tikkla – Routemaster
Sutramat – Rythmic Assault – Automat
Pistoloco – Ghost Copy – No Entry
Mark Tyler – Craka Wacka – No Entry
Dylan Drazen – Baba – Remains
Switchblade – Hard – 4x4x10
Diego – Execution Manual – Do Something
Switchblade – Deep – 4x4x10
Rhythms of Nature – Spirit Catcher – Fullspectdrum
Sharpside – Wave Cruising – Rotation

dd22: Caught In The Act (2001)

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This mix is special to me, as it represents the very beginning of a memorable chapter in my life.

Performed February 2001 at Tetanus Studio, Brooklyn

New Phunk Theory feat. Kerry Green – Always – Airtight
Addvibe – Feels So Good 2Nite – Discfunction
The Yann Fontaine Project – Soul Fonction – Brique
Simply Complicated – Selenia – Hole Subaltern
Trouble Men – Sunrise On Ocean Drive – Kif
Phlash – Sparkling Not Still – Estereo
Braxe & Falke – Running – Vulture
Dino/Terry Demopoulos/DJ Deep – No More Tears – Basenotic
The Last Minister – We Talk Romance – Rec In Pause
DJ Linus – La Chère – Exun
Rapsody – Time For A Change – Mercury
Filthy Rich feat. Nicole P. – Too-Nite – i!
Deaf’n Dumb Crew – Holiday On Night – Riviera
Mehdi Naili/Buxxy – Mellow Smooth – Stunt Brothers
Rob Mello – I Like It Fucked – Classic
Savannah – I’ll Do Anything – Kif
Richard Les Crees – Dengon (Kokoro Kara Odotte) – Distance
Demon Ritchie – Casa Profunda – Vitamine
Aquarian Dream – Love and Tears – Defender

dd21: High Heel Techno (2001)

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This mix is in a tie with “No Carrier” for my favorite techno mixes. I believe 2001 was the renaissance period for European hard techno. From the original description:

“With clubbier styled sounds fused together with the harder elements lately, the title “high heel techno” seemed apt, as my techno roots are firmly planted from watching the drag-queens do their thing on the Limelight club’s dance floor in NYC. Back and forth, these thin, muscle-bound monsters would show each other who could strut their shit the best in 1992.”

Performed January 2001 at Tetanus Studio, Brooklyn

Trace Element – Falling Logs – Elestik
Frankie Vega – The End, a Means and False Imspirations – Remains
Paul Nazca & Ultracolor – Loom – Scandium
The Reaver – Potion No.6 – Glyph
Do you like the way you feel when you shake? – A Squared
Rino Cerrone – Optical Way – Relentless
Signal Electrique & Noise Builder – A2 – OG
Genie – Night Walker – Convolute
DJ Ze Mig-L – Happy Tribe – Djax
Dylan Drazen – Beacon – Remains
Elastik Trikery – Beatbox – Insert
Basic Implant – Brain Circle – Søk
G-Man – 70-4 – Fieber
Métier – Body Electric (James Ruskin mix) – Coda
Gecko – Flugmaschiene – Delirium Red
Rob Stow – Curve Pusher – Hydraulix
Tuttle – EG Decay – Anlx
Tekno Résistants – Cataclysme – Resistance3
Michael Forshaw – Nerve Hammer – Red Seal
Alex K. Katz – Seek + Destroy – Jerk
G. McAffer & D. Preece – RAW 004
Ural 13 Diktators – Chernobyl Reaction – Lazer Attack

Ultimately Deep (1999)

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I really can’t put to words how important this set ended up being to me. It’s kept me company over many long trips through the years. I’m so glad I recorded it when I did; it truly shows how inspired house made me in the 90s. My one regret is I never made a track listing, and the vinyl is packed away in boxes now. Long live Ultimately Deep. It lived up to its title. :)

dd11: I’m Dripping (1997)

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A fan favorite :)
Performed July 1997 on The Serpentine, NYC

side a

A Reminiscent Drive – Dawn Man – F Communications
Slick n’ Flash – Split – Back To Basics
The Episodes – Late Night With Eddie – Essential
Mood II Swing – Searchin’ (dub)- Groove On
Tronicsole – Tu-Souls – Sole
The East West Connection – The More I Get, The More I Want (dub) – Chilli Funk
Unit 2 – Keep Your Head Up (dub) – Sole
Klarky Kat – Gumbo – Toko
Andy Carrick – Freak Vibrations – Glasgow Underground
Deep Down – Movie Score – G-Spot
Urban Soul – What Do I Gotta Do – King Street
Soul Digger – Autumn – Interstate
Retro Emotion – Madison’s Playground – Cross Section
Yellow #9 – Keep On Loving – Schatrax

side b

Purveyors Of Fine Funk – The Truth For You – Peacefrog
Freil – West of Motebe – Transfusion
Vincenzo – Come Together – Raw Elements
Brommage – Brommage Dub – Svek
Crazy Penis – Summer Bummer – Paper
Primitive – Lapis Lazuli – Primitive Urges
S.I. Project – A Piece of Capri – Adelphoi
Underground Evolution – Walk On Water (dub) – Ugly
Glenn Underground – Sun, Moon & 12 Stars – Peacefrog
Cab Drivers – Elwico – Cabinet
Anthony Teasdale – She Frowned, He Smiled – Alola

dd08: Nightrain To Berlin (1997)

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The only ambient mix I ever made.

Performed February 1997 in my shitty dorm room in Boston

Atomu Shizno – Cool Memories – Atom Heart
Angelo Badalamenti – Fire Walk With Me – WB
154 – It Is The End Immanent Within Them – 100% Pure
The KLF – Six Hours to Louisiana, Black Coffee Going Cold – Wax Trax
Seekness – Cyberwar Survivor – Reload Ambient
A Reminiscent Drive – Side Effects – F Communications
Gas – A – Mille Plateaux
Chaka Khan – Through The Fire – WB
Jo Bogaert – Ambient Kinsky – Play It Again Sam
Digital Underground – Packet Prelude – Tommy Boy
Mad Mike – Big Stone Lake – UR
Subhead – Dimensional Lock – Subhead
Queen – In The Death Cell – Hollywood
Millsart – Humana (a1) – Axis 12
The Art of Noise – Love Beat – Zang Tuum Tumb
Woob – 1194 – Emit
Vainqueur – Solanus – Chain Reaction
Alec Empire – 22:24 – Mille Plateaux
Grover Washington Jr. & Bill Withers – Just The Two of Us – Elektra
Larry Heard – Winter Winds and Chill – Black Market
Move D – Eine Kleine Nachtmusik – Fifth Freedom
The Art of Noise – A Nation Rejects – Zang Tuum Tumb
A Reminiscent Drive – Two Sides to Every Story – F Communications
Phlegm – Schism – Reload Ambient
The Art of Noise – Debut – Zang Tuum Tumb
Sub Sub – Past – Robb’s Records
Alec Empire – 20 (1) – Mille Plateaux
Earth to Infinity – Soylent Green – Source

A fan created alternative artwork for this mix:

dd06: Undercover (1996)

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The original!

Performed July 1996 at Satellite Studios, NYC

side a

Nova Nova – See – F Communications
Tim Harper – Lake Shore Drive – Peacefrog
Sean Grant – I Hear My Calling (dub) – Zestland
Honey Drop/Honesty – Drop 2 – Cabinet
DJ Linus – New Jersey Funk – Compose
Yellow Sax – Flim Flam – Nuphonic
Fresh and Low – Stay the Night – Guidance
Roman IV – FKK – Ladomat 2000
Julius Papp – Philly Soul – Jazz Club
RMA – Present – Big Big
Glenn Underground – Tribe of Benjamin – Freezone
Todd Edwards – Fly Away (dub) – i Records
Soul Motive – Into the Night – Nuphonic
In 2 Deep – Shakedown Part 2 – House of 909
Future Soul Orchestra – Life’s Journey – House of 909

side b

B. McArthur & Rasoul – Excursion 2 – Subwoofer
Loose Baggage – Dancin’ – Luxury Service
Vincent Floyd – I Need You – Subwoofer
In 2 Deep – Shakedown Part 1 – House of 909
A.M.C.A./Sensory Prod. – Jihad – Luxury Service
Blue Spirit – 001 – Blue Spirit
Schatrax – Relentless Nights – Schatrax
Mr. Barth – Step A Side – Plumphouse
Sensory Prod. – Deep Introspection – Luxury Service
Round One – I’m Your Brother – Main Street
Salt City Orchestra – The Book (reprise) – Paper