Author Archives: Michael Serratore

Chill Dojo #133 lines up perfectly with the release of the eagerly awaited Victory EP from San Holo, and to celebrate the occasion we’re putting ‘Hold Fast’ front and center as our favorite track from the week gone by. The brooding bass-rumbling atmosphere does well to disguise any indication of chill intentions here, but when the emotion-filled melody kicks into gear, there’s no doubting the inherent genius that’s involved in this mind-blowing production. It’s got us craving for more future-tinged beats, and thankfully Subtact has provided a sublime flip of Pusher’s ‘Emeralds’ to satisfy just that. While less about color than the original, this is a gem that trades shimmer for an enchantment that reaches deep within, beckoning you further into the cosmic surrounds that manifests itself through the waves of sound.

The winner for best sampling this week could only go to ABSRDST though, with his latest track incorporating a very unique feature from Diddy Kong. In a giant step for music production, there is now finally a collaboration between man and simian, and it’s a smooth mellow result to boot. It’s hard to put a finger on just one thing that creates ‘The Essence’, but you can be sure it’s a joruney packed with plenty of nostalgic feels. If you were surprised a feature from a fictional character could possibly make the list, it might be even harder to fathom that following this would be a shout out to Ariana Grande. Once you hear this head-bopping jam from Zanski though, you’ll understand exactly how we fell under its funky spell. Leave any preconceptions at the door for this one, and welcome in the glorious horns and playful percussion to indulge in this moment of guilty weakness. It’s a similar kind of sweetness that oozes from every silky production from French Kiwi Juice, and his latest remix proves once again why he is ‘Unstoppable’. Layered with generous servings of signature FKJ funk, this is another sexy experience that will get hearts melting with every listen.

Definitely not your ordinary week for the Dojo, but one that has no surprises when it comes to quality. Peace out.

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This may be an unorthodox way to kick-start a playlist that’s all about chill, but we’re packing some dance-floor heat to get things going for Dojo #132. Ever since it first went up on the site, we’ve been struggling to shake the hold of the furious funk from the Autograf boys and the sweltering display of groove they’ve cast over this Fatboy Slim number. Slick breaks pave their way through sun-drenched surrounds until the exotic tribal bassline takes over and asserts itself as one of the craziest sounds of the year. Want something else insane? Despite the numerous times Oliver Nelson has been a feature in our write-up, it has always been on remix duties. This week we break that trend with his first ever original ‘Found Your Love’ with the vocals of Heir, and what a way to make a debut! It figures after all that experience working his magic on other lyrical works he’d know a thing or two about crafting his own piece of gold. This is vintage Oliver Nelson finally able to shine with his own song-writing merit. It wasn’t the only breakout original for the week, as the bootleg specialist Sammy Bananas shared a brand new tune echoing some feel-good Spring vibes to celebrate the season. Dreamy vocals and bopping chords combine for joyous sensations and one certified jam we’re sure you’ll dig.

We may have started with plenty of warmth, but now it’s time for our true chill nature to show with some wintery themed delights beginning with Maxo’s playful edit of ‘Fresh Static Snow’. One of the more emotion-filled tracks off the Worlds album, Maxo turns up his trademark chord skills and infuses the melody with renewed energy and a sweetness that is hard to resist. To cap it all off we finish with a frosty affair from Sam Gellaitry. The aptly named ‘glacier’ is a musical journey into majestic snowfields and icy monuments intertwined with servings of glorious trademark synths from the young talent who continues to blow our minds with every new showing of masterful composition.

It’s a wave of different temperatures in the air this week, but all conditions are conducive to keeping it chill. Peace out.

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• Chill Dojo
• Electronic

Alina Baraz and Galimatias are a fierce duo in the chill music game, but add to that a bit of trademark Pomo bounce and you have yourself a truly potent combination. It was the highlight of our features last week and the Dojo headliner now, but we’re finding it hard to shake ourselves out of this obsession with ‘Fantasy’ and the renewed love Pomo has brought to the hypnotic original. For a long time this playlist has shared a similar appreciation for the sultry vibes that Patrick Baker brings to his music, and his latest production is a sun-drenched affair crafted with all intentions of repeat summer listening. For a song that’s all about letting go, it proves quite difficult to get out of your head when that chorus sets in. Still on that nostalgic feeling, French artist Petit Biscuit has woven another intricate piece in the form of ‘Memories’. Whether it’s the sublime acoustic melody or the enchanting vocal chops, it’s as if this blissful feeling was cut straight out of one of your happiest dreams, and we’re certainly not in any hurry to wake up anytime soon.

The blogosphere always goes a little crazy for a new and mysterious name when it emerges, and this week LVNDSCAPE made its mark with an incredibly chill rendition of ‘Bloodstream’. It’s less about Rudimental than it is about Ed Sheeran with this bootleg, as the vocals are imbued with a whimsical sweeping soundscape that conjure images of breathtaking surrounds. It won’t take much guesswork to figure out what’s in store for this latest remix from Oliver Nelson though, lending his signature disco fever to the massive hit ‘All Cried Out’. It was an instant winner when Blonde first debuted the original, but with this unbelievable transformation we’re very much dealing with a certified summer anthem. That sax is out to slay. It’s been a little while since our last dose of bootleg goodness from DJ AA, but he’s back in a big way with a special concoction that’s received support from July Child themselves. He certainly hasn’t lost his ear for the right blend of hook and melody, and with the backing of jackLNDN’s gorgeous ‘Aeterna’, this mix shines brightly from beginning to end.

The same thing could be said for the playlist really. You’ll struggle to find a dull moment in this edition. Peace out.

Related items:

• Chill Dojo
• Electronic