Playlist of the Week: Sam Binga
Sam Binga
Easy all, it’s Sam Binga, based in Bristol in the UK. I make all kinds of stuff, and next month, I’ve got a full-length mixtape dropping on my label, Pineapple Records. I’m thinking of it as a mixtape rather than an album as while it's all over the shop stylistically, it’s all very much dance-floor-focussed. Each track is collaborative - I’ve always wanted the label to feel like a group of friends that you could imagine hanging out, playing WIPs to each other, going b2b at shows and just generally getting mutual inspiration from what they’re all working on. It’s not so much about genre or style, more about attitude and energy, and hopefully there’s some kind of a thread that runs through everything we do at Pineapple Towers - even if at times it’s maybe not immediately obvious.
So with all that in mind, I’ve selected tunes that link to the artists you’ll see on that project - and a few who have appeared on the label recently. In my opinion, everyone featured is making some of the best - and most interesting - dance music around at the moment, whether they’re international stars, or underground dons just starting to bubble in their local scene.
Coming straight outta Palermo, HLRTY (pronounced 'Hilarity') is part of a pretty exciting wave of Italian producers that seem to be taking some of the sounds that I love, like electro and Jersey club, and toughening them up into really powerful dance floor weapons. This track is built around some incomprehensible looped vocals, a thumping kick, and rolling hats & snare action, and is pure propulsion for your sets.
All of Skream’s best tracks feature the most undeniable hooks going, and this one is probably my favourite - although possibly tied with ‘Who Are Those Guys’ on Big Apple, which is lost to the vinyl-only hinterlands. This came out on Pinch’s Tectonic imprint, which recently celebrated 20 years in the game - biggups all round!
Charlie and I made a bunch of stuff over the years, but recently we’ve been enjoying exploring a sort of UK-take on Club music - mixing in classic breaks and jungle techniques over the B-more / Jersey kick framework. Loadsa fun!
I think Drone is one of the most interesting producers operating in the 140 world at the moment - he really gets the importance of texture and grit in the sonics, so his stuff never sounds like a collection of raw Splice clips. And Snowy is Nottingham’s finest! The best energy in the game, both on and off record - when you hear that "AYYAYYAYY" you know it’s on. Man absolutely shelled down Barbarella’s alongside Emz last summer for the Pineapple Afterparty at Outlook Origins.
Completely different style to Drone, but again a producer who knows the importance of textural interest - particularly in the drums. Lrusse always builds great grooves that have enough looseness to keep things swinging, without becoming abstract to the point of messiness.
With one of the most impressive discographies in dance music, Travis [Machinedrum] first came onto my radar with his uptempo, jungle / footwork influenced music - but obviously there’s so much more to his musical universe than that. I love how he works with vocalists, and on this track it’s great to hear him flexing his undeniable songwriting and percussion chops at a slower tempo.
Again, someone known for his uptempo releases, which are sick! I’ve always loved Marcus’ soca-influenced takes on slower speeds. Tracks like this are effortlessly funky, great fun to mix with, and don’t do too much - which is a surprisingly difficult thing to achieve. Pure rolling bounce.
What I love about this tune is that it’s one part balls-out jump up, and one part restrained masterclass - gnarly bass, but harnessed in a super restrained format. Feels a bit like a tiger stalking an antelope, or something like that. Huge power, completely under control (pun maybe intended).
Polo’s tunes are instantly recognisable. That blend of influences from UK Funky to South African log drum is pretty unique - but within that framework, there’s always something special that gives things a twist. On this one, for me it’s the distorted cowbell riff which just enhances the sense of moody tuffness. The tempo might be low, but the intensity is pushed to the max.
This was the tune that started it all, both as far as the Sam Binga project itself, but also in terms of me and Redders’ working relationship - a relationship I’m glad to say is still proving fruitful to this day. I genuinely think Redders is the UK’s Ludacris in terms of insanely cheeky lyrics, delivered like an absolute master.
SnM stands for Sam N Matt - aka me and Matty Two Swords - and we built the original deep in lockdown times. Mulii blessed the beat with deadpan confidence, and then everyone’s favourite Salsa Chef and Slutty DJ, Onhell, took things to the dance floor with a grime / dubstep hybrid of a remix.
It’s been amazing watching Amy go from one of my favourite DJs in Bristol to one of the most exciting producers in the UK. She’s very particular about how she puts sounds together, and references classic dance music sounds in a really fresh way. Her last release on Pineapple was with Ron Mercy from Florida, and this take on Miami Bass is just so engaging - plus it’s got a wicked arrangement.
Rider Shafique is someone I’ve built tracks with across many styles, over many years, and one thing I love about working with him is that he’s pretty much down to jump on any beat and give it his own spin. On this one, which I produced with Taso, we slowed things down to a Hyphy / Bay Area tempo and amped up the West Coast vibes. Once MicahTron jumped on, the UK / Oakland connection was complete.
Cesco is on a generational run, and EMZ is one of the best MCs in the UK. High expectations, but even higher results - proper cheeky UKG with a twist.
This is one of my favourite tracks I’ve been involved in recently - the vocal chops are addictive, the groove is organic and wiggle-inducing, and the 808 absolutely tumps on a system. I really enjoy writing with Zo, and we’ve already got a couple of other sketches in the Dropbox that I’m well hyped to get working on.
