To celebrate the release of his forthcoming vocal EP Derek “DJA” Allen kindly put together this storming mixtape for us. Play it outdoors on a massive soundsystem with a beer in your hand and you’ll never feel sad again.
Famous for co-writing Major Lazer’s ‘Lazer Theme’ and ‘Come On’ with Diplo and Tiesto, this week’s guest DJ also took up engineering and production duties on MIA’s albums ‘Kala’ and ‘Maya’, Robyn’s ‘Body Talk’, Major Lazer’s ‘Guns Don’t Kill People, Lazers Do’ and a whole host of Mad Decent release. On top of that, he’s knocked out remixes for the likes if Passion Pit, Santigold, Amanda Blank, Diplo and plenty of others.
His ‘Blood Bros’ mixtapes with Dirty South Joe have proved a viral phenomenon, with over 50,000 streams and 20,000 downloads. He’s also contributed to a lot of commercial work, co-producing two songs for DJ Hero 2 and original tunes for the likes of Forum Snowboards, NBA 2009 and Turkcell.
Anyway, check out the mix he did for us below. The Gold Panda track is an awesome, glitchy house number with some perfectly selected samples to fire things off. From there he explores Deep House, Dubstep, Techno, Electro and Funky with limitless ease and versatility.
It’s pretty much the perfect summary of electronic music in 2011; featuring heavy bass, glittering synth lines, spacious House vocals and snappy kicks and snares. Joker’s ‘The Vision’ is a definite high point, not just in the mix but of the year.
The rest of the mix clearly comes from someone who really knows their music, and knows it before everyone else. Download it at the bottom and listen for yourself, it’s delightful.
Tracklist:
01. Gold Panda – Marriage (Star Slinger Remix)
02. Derek Allen & Top Billin – Suspiria
03. Joker – The Vision (Breathe In) feat. Jessie Ware
04. Kito & Reija Lee – This City (Asa & Koan Sound Remix)
05. KGB – Hands Up
06. Lovemegan T & Martina McFly – Bassflux
07. Bird Peterson & Ocelot – Soul Survivor (Run DMT Remix)
08. Siriusmo – Bad Idea
09. Derek Allen – Shoulda Listened
10. Emalkay – Keep Goin On feat. Baby D
11. Rittz – Highfive
12. Jackie Chain – Molly
13. Drake – Dreams Money Can Buy
14. Dave Grusin – Canon Beach (Derek Allen Slowed Edit)
Download: Derek Allen – KOTJ Radio Episode 19
