Taking you on a summer trip to disco and back again.
Andrei Sandu hosts my favourite radio show - Mates' Crates on Melodic Distraction. Even without the accompanying tracks, I would faithfully tune in every month for disco history lessons delivered in his dulcet tones.
He is a founding member of no less than three South London parties - Risko Disco, Loose Joints & "A Place Of Love" despite ironically residing as far north as it's feasibly acceptable to call 'London'.
Up to this point, the series has focused on mixes from Cambridge-based DJs. Today, we are opening it up to the rest of the world. We will be hopping back into the bubble a number of times in the future to highlight some more local talent. Wherever you are, if you'd like to feature, we would love to have you. Drop us a line!
Take it away, Andrei:
"Just as my life started in Bucharest almost 25 years ago, Romanian radio stations played a big part in my first independent foray into music a decade and a half later, long after moving to the UK. Whether it was Euro-pop or the kind of minimal house Romania has become known for, listening to these stations introduced me to the concept of things like DJ sets and remixes.
Though I’m not ashamed of my undying, somewhat nostalgic affinity to a few songs, I eventually outgrew the Euro-pop and moved to UK stations including Rinse FM, where eclectic DJs like Artwork pushed my tastes towards house and disco.
I struggle to take only a passing interest in things - I’m either wholly indifferent or entirely captivated. The more I played in clubs at university, the more I dug into the influences behind the music I was into. I was soon exploring funk, soul, jazz, and other genres which I was less used to hearing on the dancefloor. What stood out was the impact of music from all cultures and corners of the globe on the music we listen to.
I’m lucky to have outlets for the music I love - and my fascination with it - alongside my day job. Running infrequent events in London means I haven’t left behind the unparalleled delight of playing to a dancefloor. In my Mates’ Crates column, I write about the stories behind my favourite records, which I can then share through my show on Liverpool-based Melodic Distraction Radio. I learnt a lot from putting together June’s show exploring the boundless influence of black musicians.
When Hamish asked if I wanted to record a mix for OOX, I leapt at the opportunity. As my approach to music has matured, so has my appreciation that selection is paramount, so putting this together has been a real labour of love. I have a story for how every one of these records came into my life, and I wanted to do them justice. This mix is a reflection of both my current tastes, and of the energy and warmth which I hope to find on (and bring to) the dancefloor.
It is music which makes me smile. I hope it makes you smile too."
Tracklist:
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