Once upon a time, Belfast-hailing and Persian-rooted Nina Shafai (a.k.a Nina Patrice) was known for her tendency to lean into the worlds of darker minimal and stripped back techno. Whilst, South-West born Connor Male was intrinsically linked with early 90’s proggy records, swingy UK tech house and emotive breakbeat cuts. Ladies and gentlemen, this is what we call a “Juxtaposition”. But as the two began to play together more often, a beautiful happy medium started to form. By discovering their musical roots were inherently connected they discovered that the musical elements that made each of them tick, were actually the same.
JUXTA join us on this week’s episode of the FMB mixtape series.
Let’s catch up…
To be honest, we’ve been enjoying some time away from the endless London party circuit. It’s given us time to focus on the label and explore the roots of both of our musical interests. We’ve found inspiration in other musical world’s, that we once thought were something completely separate. From seeing LCD Soundsystem transcend an entire field of people at Glasto to witnessing Robert Smith’s perfection at The Cure’s Troxy Show. Coupled with the newly found free time, where we’ve been able to listen back to forgotten B-sides and revive old records that we’re now hearing in a completely different light. We’ve been able to re-identify with the values in music that we treasure so deeply.
The mix was recorded at home using 2x Technics 1210 MK2, 2x Pioneer CDJ-900 Nexus and an Allen and Heath Xone 92 mixer.
Despite the fact that this set up is near-on our ideal combination of hardware to play on… there’s nothing that’s harder than recording a mix at home. The endless room for self criticism and the chase for transition perfection, is something that both of us have always found really tough. But having said all that, when you do get it right in the comfort of your own home, it’s nothing short of magic.
The idea behind this mix was to create something that showcased our newly positioned sound as ‘JUXTA’, whilst also honouring both of our underlying influences from BICEP over the years… From their intricate productions to the journeys they created during their transcending live shows & DJ sets . Their resurgence of an undeniably trance-influenced sound, resonated with each of our roots into dance music. With Nina growing up in Belfast, a city that for decades has been so heavily associated musically with techno and trance. To how Connor’s introduction into the electronic music world, was through playing trance and jungle records at free parties in the South West, at the humble age of 15 years old.
Each of us have always strived to make our mixes a free-flowing journey which sonically tells a story with a start, middle and an end. So, over the last few months, we’ve been endlessly going back and forth on the B-sides of old techno records, Belgium-inspired Trance cuts, late 90’s prog, swingy minimal and pad-laden electro. With the added challenge of attempting to showcase all of these styles in one 60 minute mix comprising just 13 songs.
It also just so happened that the next release on the label happens to be a proper ode to the trance era and couldn’t have fitted more perfectly into this one. Then the last track is a truly special one, which we’d like to dedicate to someone just as special, Jane <3.
Next up…
We just released a digital compilation on our mental health charity label ‘Serenity Records’ to coincide with World Mental Health Day. It’s the first time we’ve released tracks from the back catalogue digitally and synonymously aligned with World Mental Health Day. So it’s going to be lovely seeing the response to that over the next few weeks.
Beyond that we’re always on the look out for new spaces for the combined art and music parties Nina runs under her ‘Kübe 6’ imprint – it’s been nearly a year since we’ve done a party and we’re starting to get itchy! We’ve also made a number of mix-related promises to friends/labels for next year, so I guess we’ll be straight back down the Discogs rabbit hole once again…
Tracklist
- Marco Bernardi – The Light Of Lights (FLRP001)
- Souledge – Golden Nugget (PAGAN010)
- Obsidian – Human Potential (TUNEZ005)
- Z@P – Phenomenology (AOD004)
- Böhm- Solar Cycle (DOLLY36)
- Uabos – City Woods (BAP095)
- Linear State – Octo (STTPLY001)
- Explorative Badass – After Party Bullies
- Oliver Romero – Shout The Killer (POD031)
- Coco Cole – Sunset (Forthcoming on Serenity Records)
- Darren Rhys – Lost Soul (Katakana Remix) (ELECTRO019)
- Uabos – Abc Dream (BM004)
- Unknown Artist – Amor
Our TOPPODCAST Picks 
Stay Connected
Through a blend of glistening vocal pieces, strings of dreamy melodies and distinctive rhythms, 
