5 Of The Best: AFFKT Talks Us Through Back to the Boutique

In an age where previously million dollar studios have been condensed into laptop friendly software easily pirated by the tech savvy kids of today it is easy to see why many upcoming producers chase trends trying to hit it big quickly rather than spend years developing their own sonic palette. There is a reason why producers who fall into the trap, even the initially successful ones fade into obscurity almost as quickly as they emerge from it and that is because whilst fashions seem to change at an increasingly alarming rate, curiosity innovation and creativity are permanent.  This week we’re pleased to welcome an artist we feel falls into the latter category in AFFKT  to talk us through 5 of his favorite tracks from his new mix compilation Back to the Boutique 002.

Committed to progress whilst showing a healthy respect for the past is one of AFFKT’s most unique audible features. Above all, AFFKT is synonymous with electronic music, as one of the scenes most active regenerators of contemporary house music; incorporating music from across the musical spectrum to form new amalgamations to create music  that he feels, loves and knows. Considering fusion as one of the main aspects of artistic evolution, as he proved in his first hit “Points”  on Barraca Music, and stunning the world with his brave innovation, technical sensuality and control of different sound tempos. Taking influence from jazz, soul, latin, pop and funk amongst countless other genres we talk through 5 efforts that he selected for his new compilation on Skint Records that have really left their mark on him as an artist.

Fatboy Slim – Give The Po’man A Break

Fatboy Slim´s music had been a huge inspiration for me since the very beginning.  In 1996 when this particular record was released, electronic music wasn’t as complicated, there weren’t as many producers and the boundaries weren’t so defined. I was listening to Hardcore Punk and Hip Hop music back then, but when I listened to this track and the album as a whole (Better Living Through Chemistry) it immediately blew my mind.  Looking back, Fatboy Slim´s music and this album changed music, as we know it today. 

Noisia – Gutterpump (AFFKT remix) 

For me, Noisia are one of the most technical and innovative producers nowadays, the dutch trio produced so many anthems in the last decade, from Drum & Bass to Breaks or even Pop music. When the Skint team talked to me about the “Back to the Boutique” series, the first thing that sprung to mind was doing a remix of Gutterpump. This was set up as a huge challenge as the track was (and still is) a really special production for me. At the time I was just producing Drum & Bass, but starting to move away from this style experimenting with other styles and tempos. My main goal with the remix was to keep the energy from the original but going down with the tempo (16 BPM less), and find an equilibrium between Breaks and 4/4 Beats. Just for open minded DJs and music lovers.

H2 – Low Freq

 This track was originally release in Cécille last year, it was a B-Side on the EP and was the first time I listened to the duo but it caught me at the first beat. Simplicity and a huge bass line that sticks in your mind make this track timeless. I guess it has a lot of influence from the early Daft Punk material which was also a big inspiration for myself. Again, it’s all about equilibrium, maintaining equilibrium between organic sounds and electronic is definitely one of its strengths.

Kid Culture – Visions 

Visions is without a shadow of a doubt one the most important productions we have released on Sincopat, it pinpointed our first milestone in the history of the label. Kid Culture is an absolutely fantastic producer as his music sounds is always fuelled with so much soul. What I love about “Visions” is how it tells story, if you close your eyes and listen, it is so easy imagine a nice sunset and feel the wind on your skin. When someone asks me what kind of music I am looking for my label Sincopat, I always say listen to this song.

X-Press 2 – Kill 100 (Carl Craig Remix)

Originally released in 2006, this remix still sounds so fresh, so futuristic, that it sounds as if it was produced yesterday. The omnipresent acid bass/lead line is amazing, but  it is Rob Harvey’s voice that makes this track outstanding.  The unexpected string stabs contribute to this song to make it an anthem rather than just a 7 minute loop. X-Press 2 have been going for over 20 years now, and play a huge part as an inspiration to many DJs out there today, from the beginning at Junior Boys Own to today at Skint and everything in between.