What’s in the DJ’s box: Johnny D

What’s in the DJ’s box: Johnny D

9 April, 2008 | 3.37AM

• Written by: Ben Raven
• Filed under: Music News: dj box, johnny d, oslo

In January, Beatportal profiled hot newcomer and Berlin favourite Johnny D.

He has since released another banger of an EP on Oslo, so it’s about time we took a look inside his record box.

Johnny D has exploded onto the underground scene.

Since releasing his first EP ‘Gualia’ on Oslo, he’s churned out two more.

His ‘Walkman’ track topped the charts of so many DJs, it seemed like a a lot of brown envelopes filled with Euros must have been sent out from his home in Mannheim, Germany.

His last Oslo release, ‘Orbitalife’, contains three weapons that are currently all over dancefloors from Kreuzberg to Kinsale.

Of course, we’re only joking about the brown envelopes.

His style is part house, part techno, engaging loopy percussion blending with soulful, jazzy organs or keys that open his fan base up to a wide spectrum of DJs — all of whom are banging his records into the middle of next week.

With rumours of signings to labels (such as Cocoon) flying around, and promoters all over the world scrambling to find a number for his booking agent, expect him to be appearing on a lot of dancefloors near you soon.

Unfortunately, though, London failed to get a glimpse of his talent this past March.

His Eritrean heritage is making life a little difficult when crossing borders, and he had to cancel a gig at London’s The End because of a problem with his visa.

Let’s hope the red tape bullshit gets sorted soon.

Til then, take a peek inside the tracks that fire up his weekends.

End of night favourite

Ricardo Villalobos ‘Que Belle Epoque’ [Frisbee Tracks / Laka-Tosh]

Only one of many favorite tracks from Ricardo Villalobos.

I can rembember when I heard this track the first time — it was during an all ‘Back To Mine’ after-hours party for a friend a of mine.

I remember I was talking all morning nonstop with the other guys and not listening to the music.

But when the melodic synth of this track came in after the groove came down, I was glued to the sound.

My choice, however, for an end of night track always changes depending on whether the club is filled or less crowded.

Home listening special

Henrik Schwarz ‘Leave My Head Alone Brain’ [Sunday-Music]

Henrik Schwarz is one of my favorite artists and this is one of my favorite of his tracks on Beatport.

I like the way how he uses vocals every time, and the way he sings.

After party must play

Laurent Garnier ‘Barbiturik Blues’ [F Communications]

This track appeared on Laurent’s latest album ‘The Cloud Making Machine’ and was recorded together with pianist Benjamin Rippert, who plays the really nice keys on the track.

It has a nice, simple mood.

I like to hear this track when I chill or want to come down.

Peaktime tune

Christian Burkhardt ‘Kreiskollaps (Federico Molinari Remix)’ [Oslo]

This is the label from my two good friends Federico Molinari and Nekes.

It was also the first record on their label.

The original version is already amazing, but the Federico Molinari Remix adds a little more groove for the dancefloor.

Favourite classic

Markus Nikolai ‘Bushes’ [Classic Recordings]

Whether this can be called a classic is debatable, since I think it came out in 2001 or 2002, but this one of those tracks I could listen to again and again.

This is one of many good tracks from Markus Nikolai.

The Derrick Carter version is also fantastic and I have played it a lot of times, too.

-

Check out Beatportal’s interview with Johnny D.

• (0) Comments
• (1394) Views
• Check out Johnny D on Beatport