DJ mixes are a dime a dozen these days. You could probably shuffle through your SoundCloud feed and find more mixes than you know what to do with – certainly more than enough music to fill your waking hours with. It’s this reason that I try to be selective when it comes to posting mixes on this blog – they really have to be noteworthy; either something truly unique, or absolute perfection the whole way through. This past weekend brought us two of these mixes: veteran Marc Kinchen (better known as MK) got behind the BBC Radio 1 Essential Mix decks for the first time since 1995 and newcomer Oliver Heldens unleashed his Heldeep Mixtape 2.
If you’ve never heard of Marc Kinchen, who typically goes by his DJ name of MK, I’m here to enlighten you. If you know about MK, then I’m here to make sure his Essential Mix doesn’t pass you by unnoticed. MK has been involved in the House music game since the 90s – he’s the very definition of a veteran artist. MK’s first Essential Mix was in 1995 and though he took some time away from dance music to become Will Smith’s in-house producer, he’s very much back at the top of the game. 2013 was a big year for MK as he topped charts with his updated remix of Storm Queen’s “Look Right Through” (number one in the UK) as well as a series of remix duties for big name artists like Lana Del Rey and Sub Focus. Not to mention a personal favorite remix of Jamie Antonelli’s “Divine”. MK’s Essential Mix, to me, was flawless the whole way through. He chose tracks with infectious grooves and plenty of melodies, including 10 exclusives and tons of MK homemade remixes. Though a veteran in the game, MK is really emerging from the pack as a force in groovy, soulful House Music.
*Tracklist after the jump*
I think it’s fitting to couple a mix from a veteran in the game with a mix by one of dance music’s fastest-rising stars: Oliver Heldens. I’ve posted about Heldens quite a bit in recent weeks. His latest original production, “Gecko”, is a fantastic track that saw massive amounts of plays thanks to a premier by tastemaker Pete Tong. Shortly after that, Heldens premiered his Heldeep Mixtape series that combined Big Room bangers with deeper and funkier underground sounds. We also were treated to a preview of his “Animals” remix, which I later posted because it was too damn good to ignore (and frankly it sounded nothing like the over-played original by Martin Garrix). Over the weekend I was elated to see Oliver Heldens released Heldeep Mixtape 2. It’s just as good, if not better, than Mixtape 1. Heldens wouldn’t release the track list until it reached 20,000 plays, and just two days later it’s already way past that point. If you want some fantastic tunes that stray far away from your Beatport Top 100, this is the place to get it. We go Deep, we go Funky, we go Techy, and there are absolutely no complaints from me. Turn it up!
*Track list after jump*
MK Essential Mix Track list:
Jane Child – All I Do (MK Dub)
Hannah Wants & Chris Lorenzo – Girls (Shadow Child Remix)
Angel Haze feat. Sia – Battle Cry (MK Remix)
Reese & Santonio – How To Play Our Music
Danny Tenaglia – Bottom Heavy (Danny’s Bottom Heavy Remix)
Tim Baresko & Tee Dunky – In The Morning
Florrie – Little White Lies (Shadow Child Remix)
HAIM – If I Could Change (MK Regrets Dub)
Shadow Child feat. Takura – Friday (MK Medicine Dub)
Jodeci – Freek ‘n You (MK Dub)
Storm Queen – Look Right Through (MK Dub III)
Disclosure feat. AlunaGeorge – White Noise (MK Remix)
Luxury – J.A.W.S
Honey Dijon feat. Dajae – Until The Day (Alex Kenji Remix)
K.E.L.S.E.Y. – This Way (MK Deep Dub)
The Nightcrawlers – Push The Feeling On (DJ S.K.T 2013 Remix)
Sam Smith – Money On My Mind (MK Remix)
Hot Natured feat. Anabel Englund – Reverse Skydiving (MK Remix)
Victor Ruiz & Dashdot – Obey
Thee Cool Cats – Hand On The Pump
Paloma Faith – Can’t Rely On You (MK Remix)
Lee Foss & MK feat. Anabel Englund – Ghost In The System
Unknown – What You To (white label)
Le Youth feat. Dominique Young Unique – Dance With Me (MK Remix)
Happyhead – Digital Love Thing
Reese & Santonio – Truth Of Self Evidence
Sub Focus feat. Kele – Turn It Around (MK Remix)
Wankelmut & Emma Louise – My Head Is A Jungle (MK Remix)
London Grammar – Hey Now (MK Remix)
Lancelot feat. Anthony & Cleopatra – Givin’ It Up (MK Remix)
Heldeep Mixtape 2 Track list:
1. Teedra Moses – Be Your Girl (Kaytranada Edition) [0:00]
2. Sage The Gemini – Gas Pedal (Motez Edit) [3:00]
3. A Tribe Called Quest x Tchami – Stressed Out [5:30]
4. Martin Ikin – What You’ve Done (Original Mix) [9:15]
5. Detroit Swindle – Unfinished Bussiness [10:45]
6. Motez – Ride Roof Back (Club Edit) [13:30]
7. Oliver Heldens – Gecko [15:18]
8. Disclosure – What’s In your Head (VIP Remix) [18:48]
9. Dave Aude, Crazibiza Feat. Vassy – Hustlin (Slideback Remix) [21:48]
10. Edone, Bodden – Do It [25:03]
11. Brown & Gammon – The Combination (AC Slater Remix) [29:16]
12. Storm Queen – Look Right Through (MK Dub Mix) [30:48]
13. Neville Bartos & Lorenzo – Coke Diet [32:56]
14. Shadow Child – 23 [36:11]
15. Eptic – Danger (Habstrakt VIP) [37:41]
16. Mercer – Turn It Up (Tchami Remix) [39:41]
17. XO – Old Skool [43:11]
18. Martin Ikin – I Know [47:00]
19. Wildchild – Renegade Master (Mr. Belt & Wezol Remix) [50:00]
20. Don Diablo & CID – Got Me Thinkin [54:33]
21. TST & Twoloud – Drop It Like This [58:04]