Author: Darren Ressler

These Headphones Are Made From Ninja Tune’s Recycled Vinyl

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AIAIAI & Ninja Tune headphones

With the topic of sustainability on many people’s minds these days, Danish audio design company AIAIAI has unveiled an environmentally friendly collaboration with Ninja Tune — the TMA-2 Ninja Tune Edition headphones made from the label’s recycled vinyl.

The cans retail for USD $250 and have a customized detailed and rich sound representation based on AIAIAI’s Bio-Cellulose S05 drivers and sport both on-ear and over-ear vegan leather cushions. The model offers 20 hours of high-quality wireless audio via Bluetooth 5.0.

Obligatory press release gush from AIAIAI co-founder Frederik Jørgensen: “Since 2010 with the launch of the TMA-1 headphone we’ve been committed to doing things better. Sustainability has since been a key aspect of our design and development process and we still believe we’re only just getting started. Informed by a heritage of Scandinavian design we create products far beyond trend-driven aesthetics, with sustainable modular functionality and recycled materials we extend the longevity of every product and create less waste for the planet – designed to last.”

TMA-2 Ninja Tune

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Big Shot Guest Mix 352: DJ Dobrel

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DJ Dobrel Big Shot Guest Mix 352

With summer on the horizon and better times ahead of us, Dublin-based DJ/producer DJ Dobrel steps up to take control of Big Shot Guest Mix 352. After releasing his “So Far Away” collaboration with Szaby and Robbie Rosen released in March, he’s coming in h-o-t.

For his 14-track mix session, DJ Dobrel plunges into the deep end of house music’s vast ocean and navigates himself through a current of choice cuts by T.Markakis, Yotto, VIGI, Saison, Sebb Junior and Gorge.

“For this mix,” he tells us, “I went for a deep-in-the-summer feeling that takes me back to that lounge club we all love so much and desperately want to be back at.”

Hit the play button below and enjoy!

Big Shot Guest Mix 352: DJ Dobrel
1. Nic Joseph – All I Feel
2. Yotto – Another Riff For the Good Times
3. VIGI – Spontaneous Desires
4. DJ Dobrel – Tonight
5. Saison – Want You
6. Sebb Junior – My Luv 4 U
7. T.Markakis – That Jazz Feeling
8. Jess Bays – Every Little Thing
9. DJ Dobrel – The Way I Feel About You
10. Morris – Paris (DJ Dobrel Remix)
11. Prunk – Dreams
12. Love in Colour – Insecure World
13. Gorge – Erotic Soul (2020 Rework)
14. Gorge – Escape (Mihai Popuviciu Remix)

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A Conversation With House Music Pioneer Lil’ Louis [1995]

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lil louis interview

Chicago DJ/producer Lil’ Louis isn’t one to do many interviews. However, in 1995 I was granted an audience with the trailblazing house music pioneer. At the time, Louis was living in Manhattan, and I spent a few hours with him at his studio on West 52nd Street. During our conversation, he recalled how he got into DJing, used his musical abilities to become a producer and how he came up with his classic 1989 track, “French Kiss.” The interview was published in issue 47 of Generator, a long-defunct British dance music magazine.

Images by Kevin Knight

“They used to laugh at me, but I saw the future…” – Lil’ Louis, ”New Dance Beat”

Mark Twain once said that a classic book is one which we’ve heard about, but never actually read. While that theory might be true in the world of literature, it doesn’t hold a drop of water in clubland. We all know that a classic track has the power to fire our imaginations, time and time again.

Lil’ Louis (real name: Marvin Burns) knows a thing or two about crafting effortless, left-of-center house music which has withstood the rigors of time. Where many producers regularly pay lip service to the ideals of avoiding formula and pushing the self-inflicted boundaries of popular music, Lil’ Louis has quietly let his work do the talking. Continue Reading →

Soul Clap Launch Back 2 Love Collaboration Beer With Finback Brewery

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SoulClap Back 2 Love Finback

Not only is April 22 Earth Day but it is also the release date for Soul Clap’s long-awaited new album, WTF (World Transformation Force), a sprawling 15-song affair featuring collaborations with Nona Hendryx, Desmond ‘DSP’ Powell, Harry Dennis, Rich Medina, Tra’zae Clinton and more.

To commemorate the album’s launch, Soul Clap’s Eli Goldstein and Charles Levine have collaborated with revered New York City craft brewery Finback on a limited-edition beer.

Named after one of Soul Clap’s new songs, Back 2 Love is a sour ale brewed with rhubarb and ruby red grapefruit. The brew clocks in at a quaffable 6 percent. Finback’s sours are as funky as Soul Clap’s music, so this is a match made in heaven.

On Earth Day, Finback’s Brooklyn studio will be livestreaming the release party for WTF with sets at 4 PM, 6 PM and 9 PM.

Proceeds from sales of the beer will go to Climate Justice Alliance.

Soul-Clap-Back-2-Love-Finback

No paywalls, free to all. Help us remain 100% independent and unbiased. Please give to Big Shot by making a secure one-time donation to help us continue covering DJ culture and electronic music like we’ve done since 2003.