Amine Akesbi (a.k.a. Amine K) is one of Morocco’s leading purveyors of electronic music. From his vantage point in north Africa, he’s developed a worldwide reputation for an emotive house sound that seductively transports dance floors to a state of ecstasy. Whether he’s helming one of his Moroko Loko concept events in one of dance music hotbeds or poised behind the decks at a festival gig, Amine’s emotive melodies and grooves will make you move your body.
With a discography filled with standout releases on Selador, Souvenir Music and Systematic Recordings — his rhythmically infectious 2013 smash “Dar Gnawa” is a great place to start for the unfamiliar — Amine teamed up with Sol Selectas boss Sabo for the just released opus “Tiniri,” which means “Sahara” in the traditional Berber tribal language native to Morocco. The mesmerizing track also features a remix from Michael Meyer. What’s notable is how the duo use traditional Moroccan instruments such as the krake, gembri and dharbouka to create the track’s otherworldly groove.
With the track in heavy rotation among some of the jocks on the global scene, we checked in with Amine to find out what he’s been playing this summer.
Sabo & Amine K – Tiniri (Sol Selectas)
Sorry for the shameless self-promotion on this one! It took Sabo and I two years to get this beauty out and it’s a perfect mix of my Moroccan roots and the deep tribal sound that I have always been into. It has been a secret weapon for me all around the world, and I’ve been testing it and going back and forth into the studio for quite some time until few weeks ago. Now it’s out and I still enjoy it to the fullest.
Fatoumata – Nagar (Sol Selectas)
When Sabo played this track for the first time at a sunrise we organized in the Agafay Desert in Morocco, I was hooked! This track is the perfect mix of a driving bassline, beautiful drums and ethereal vocals. I use this one to usually change the mood and get into a more after-hour vibe during my sets.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T7iwZ-ttKQs
Floyd Lavine & Elias – Slow (Moblack)
Drums, drums and drums again! This track just kills me. The vocal is so hypnotic and combined with the beats — it’s a beat! Moblack has been on fire lately but this [track] is another level.
Culoe De Song – Y.O.U.D. (Innervisions)
What would life be without classics. Well, this one is not that old but I always love to bring back some oldies and this one is a banger. If played at the right moment, it can just lift up the whole club.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4aW-Rm0XSGU
Letta Mbulu – Normalizo (Morning)
Released in 1985, this gem is the track of the summer for me. It gets me in the perfect mood to share some love and put a smile on people’s faces.
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