Tag Archives: DMC

Switched On – Back To Mine: Tycho (DMC)

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Reviewed by Ben Hogwood

What’s the story?

For the latest in their long running Back To Mine series, now 23 years old, DMC turn to Scott Hansen, the San Francisco producer, artist, designer and songwriter better known in these circles as Tycho.

He is a completely logical addition, already known for some incredibly relaxing chillout music through albums Dive, Epoch and Weather, which offer sunshine-infused meditation to even the coldest listener.

What’s the music like?

As so often with the Back To Mine series, it feels like DMC have caught the right artist at the right time. Tycho’s specialities tend to lie in the electronic field, and that is well represented here, but there are some really nice contrasts and bends in the road to navigate as the mix progresses. It hits just the right balance of moving forward but also enjoying the musical scenery on the way.

Bibio’s remix of Tycho’s own Spectre is the ideal place to start, setting a nice walking pace within a woozy dynamic as the guitar ambles along. Some spacey productions follow, with an excellent bit of serious electronic pop from Panama standing out, the clean textures of Destroyer dating from 2013. Happily the music never veers too close to the mainstream, as Schneider TM’s hybrid track Frogtoise testifies. Tycho’s remix of Little Dragon’s Little Man is the perfect fit to bridge from this to the hypnotic cross rhythms of Luke Abbott’s Modern Driveway, after which the amiable grooves of Weval’s You Made It (Part II) are ideal.

Ulrich Schnauss is a logical inclusion, his brand of weather-beaten electronica leaving a strong impression with In All The Wrong Places, before Tycho’s PBS brings a cool groove to back its probing riff. By the time Slowdive’s Sugar For The Pill kicks in we are more or less horizontal, a feeling reinforced by Octo Octa’s Beam Me Up, the Please Take Me Away mix by Eris Drew panning out rather nicely.

Does it all work?

It does – as you would expect from someone with Tycho’s love of perspective, foreground and background. Like the best Back To Mine compilations it brings a satisfying juxtaposition of familiar names and unfamiliar grooves, sitting alongside each other with the maximum ease.

Is it recommended?

It is indeed – another excellent addition to one of the longest running compilation series around. Even in this era of online mixes and playlists, there is still room for an hour Back To Mine.

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Switched On – Back To Mine: Jungle (DMC)

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reviewed by Ben Hogwood

What’s the story?

The rejuvenated Back To Mine series – now into its third decade – moves on to Jungle. Two albums down, the figureheads of the seven-strong group, Josh Lloyd-Watson and Tom McFarland, have put together a collection of the music making them tick behind the scenes. As with a good number in the series so far, that means selections from the tour bus, the after party and almost certainly the morning after. It provides an insight to fans from behind the scenes on what makes them tick, and illustrates their policy of going for music they like, whatever the genre.

What’s the music like?

Predictably varied. After a nice bit of hot weather soul from Barbara Moore, it’s not long before the temp rises with No Fear, a lovely bit of affirmative Afro-funk from Jungle’s own producer Inflo, and the funk-fuelled disco house of Merle’s Fannie Likes 2 Dance. Having switched tack with four to the floor we go deeper with newer house from Manuel Darquart’s Birds Of Paradise and the lush heat soaked Red Haze from DrumTalk.

Gradually the tempo slows with the bumpy Space Cadet from Admin, a lovely deep bit of funk, and the even more lush sounds of The Marias’ Cariño. All the while we are heading for Sly5thAve and a superb cover of Frank Ocean’s Super Rich Kids, a typical example of Jungle’s light hearted and party fuelled approach.

The small hours having arrived, it’s an ideal opportunity for Kamaal Williams’ woozy High Roller, Sam Evian’s soft hearted Next To You and an off kilter Lavender from BADBADNOTGOOD and KAYTRANADA. As is traditional the host should add a track of their own, and Jungle’s is a typically heady Come Back A Different Day, over a stumbling rhythm, which pans out even further to Mansur Brown’s Shiroi.

For the home straight it’s slower and sultry funk from The Flying Stars Of Brooklyn NY’s Live On, then SAULT’s catchy torch song Masterpiece. Paul Cherry’s Like Yesterday is a rueful song of modern relationship ills, before the sleepy cinematic closer, HNNY’s Sunday. The house lights go up soon after!

Does it all work?

Pretty much all. Jungle have nailed the brief of the Back To Mine series, which ideally keeps the listener entertained and guessing, while educating them on some new sounds and bringing a bit more perspective to the music the hosts make. Jungle tick all those boxes and add some humour, sauce and funk.

Is it recommended?

Yes – an easy recommendation for a really enjoyable set of tunes. A bit smoky, certainly a bit rhythmic, and uplifting too. What’s not to like?

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