The Shapeshifters step up to mix the latest in the Nocturnal Grooves compilation series
Nocturnal Groove head honchos The Shapeshifters have mixed the fifth volume (and their third instalment) of the labels mix compilation series, this time shining light on the more recent gems residing in the catalogue. The chart topping duo take time from touring globally, following on where Gramophonedzie left off on Volume 4, selecting the gems that perfectly represent the label’s flow for 2012 and delivering a rare DJ mix along the way.
Where the Shapeshifters’ previous efforts have focused on shedding light on deeper corners of the Nocturnal catalogue, this edition focuses more on where the label is going, packing in no less than 6 previously unreleased tracks. Pookie’s remix of ‘She Freaks’ finally sees the light of day, along with a reworking of ‘Nothing But Love For You’ by Frankie Knuckles and Eric Kupper’s Director’s Cut project. The Shapeshifters breathe new life into a few recent cuts with their edits of ‘Feeling Good’ by Paul Gardner & LAX featuring Elliotte Williams N’Dure and the Jason Chance Remix of K-Klass’ ‘Capture Me’.
Here, we caught up with them for a brief chat about the mix:
It’s been nearly three years since you mixed the first in the Nocturnal Grooves series…do you think there’s been any development in your musical tastes since then?
We have always loved and played all things House and have maintained our policy of signing records we love to play on our own dance floors, so in our humble opinion we are still doing just that. It's great to see the re-emergence of slower grooves and deeper House which is our first love but it does not work for every dance floor and when you play as often and in as many different countries as we do you have to stay open minded and offer a broad spectrum of grooves and styles. That is exactly what Nocturnal Groove is all about.
Can you tell us about some of the tracks on the compilation? Which are the tracks that particularly stand out for you?
The 'Nocturnal Grooves' compilation series has always been about showcasing all the artists that release with us, rounding up the previous months and years and highlighting what is to come in the future. This latest release is no exception. Every record is stand out for us - we would not have signed them if we did not fully believe in them. Having said that we feel Something Good have really stood up this year with some really refreshing ideas. Jason Chance is also doing some great stuff and, of course, Frankie is on fire!!
There are a number of exclusive tracks on this week by Kaa San and Soneec & Jetro as well as couple of new mixes and special edits. Can you run us through these exclusives?
The two unreleased tracks on the album are 'Amber' by Kaa San and 'Drumhead' by Soneec & Jetro. We have been playing 'Amber' loads in our sets recently and it is really working for us in the clubs - we love it and are looking forward to hearing more from this new producer. Following on from the stellar mix that Soneec did on 'Your Love' for us last year we really wanted to work on a single with him and here it is. Its a top production with a really strong groove and fits really well on this album.
The brand new and exclusive remixes are from Pookie on 'She Freaks' and Director's Cut on 'Nothing But Love For You'. Two great new vibes that take the records in very different directions to our original versions - we are very happy to have been able to include them.
Nocturnal Grooves Vol.5 is out now
