Ep#3 Lloyd
Former Noisegate writer and afrohouse enthusiast and AMF resident Lloyd throws down the third mix for All My Friends.
Lloyd shared some words about his mix.
I just wanted to highlight some of the incredible house music coming out of Africa that a lot of people haven’t really picked up on despite people like Black Coffee and Culoe de Song appearing in the mainstream.
The tracks just pack so much energy, almost too much sometimes. They can be hard to mix because there’s really thick chord layers and the melodies and rhythms are so complex and raw. Even the way the tracks are mastered is refreshingly unorthodox and unapologetically unwieldy.
I set out to put together a mix around my four favourite Afro house tunes but in the end none of them made the final cut. What makes the tracks so good is just their non-stop energy and drive. The uniquely African vocals and chanting, drums and again these dense, slightly off-key chord progressions that are nearly impossible to harness or temper for a recorded mix.
They’re perfect for parties because you can’t not move to them, and dance to them. They really raise the roof and you can get away with just smashing them into a mix.
Lloyd’s recommendations
For deep, hypnotic, uniquely African house music check out people like DJ Octopuz, Derrick Flair, Faze Action. Also take a look at Dele Sosimi and Fela and Femi Kuti to see the relationship between afrobeat and afro house and to get an idea of where Afro house is coming from. It’s way more than just an African take on, or imitation of, house music. It goes back further than you might think.
Check out Jerk It’s mix if you like this. A melting pot of Balearic groovers and acid jazz.
