In-Fluential - The Mix Volume 1 is the compilation that kicks off the year for the label as it means to continue. It's a fresh look at the recent additions to the catalogue that cement it's place as a deeper, darker house label of note. We caught up with James Jackson who compiled and mixed the comp to get a little insider info...
For people who might not be too familiar with the label, tell us a little about it. What kind of music does it represent?
Fluential gives us an opportunity to release records that we think are dope but don’t necessarily slot into the realm of Defected. Tough and techy, a sound that appeals to an edgier dance floor.
Tell us a little about the mix…how does it differ from the last Fluential compilation?
The last comp was a best of, a delve into the back cat to give some of the younger generation an opportunity hear a bit of the label's history. With the new mix its much more up to date, Dennis Ferrer’s ‘Hey Hey’ Dub and Shlomi Aber's mix of ‘Spells of Yoruba’, are fresh cuts that are killing it for me in the clubs, but I had to stick a couple of old skool fav’s of mine in there as well. Constipated Monkeys ‘Cro Magnon’ was subliminals #1 release and I still remember buying it 13 years ago, shit, massively showing my age.
Why do you think the label was revived..was this a good move?
I don’t think it ever really went away, I still hear DJ’s playing old tracks from the label today but I think it just went quiet for a bit and with some gentle persuasion from me and a couple of guys in the office the boss came around to the idea of starting to put some new releases out. I found the Zoo Brazil ‘Gainer’ and the Hosh mix of ‘Ziodoor’ and other tracks started to slot in organically, Easy.
Are there any standout tracks we should look out for?
Nope, they’re all wicked. :-)
It’s not just Fluential tracks though…
No not at all, tracks from JBO, Sondos, Strictly and defected.
What can we expect from the label for the rest of the year?
More of the same, maybe another compilation later in the year.
Anything else you’d like to tell us about…?
Did you know six out of seven dwarfs aren’t happy?
In-Fluential - The Mix Volume 1 is out 1st February. Click to listen & buy
