The latest edition in our Select Cuts mix series has landed! For the occasion, we welcome on-board an exciting new trio : 3D. The trio is composed of Danny Howells, Darren Emerson & Dave Seaman. They also choose their favourite albums, productions and tracks of the year respectively. Everything comes in threes. Enjoy!
Danny Howell’s Favourite Albums
1) James Brown “Live at the Apollo”
One of my earliest musical memories, as my Mum had this when I was a kid, and it got handed down to me as she’d actually wanted Vol 2 from 1967 instead, which is also incredible. Definitely one of the first times I’d heard R&B .. obviously I was aware of the early 70s Motown sound and some Philly stuff etc, but this was something so different. The fact it was live with the crowd screaming so loudly in the mix gives this album such an incredible atmosphere .. you feel like you’re in the Apollo with them.
2) Prince “Purple Rain”
In the early 80s I wasn’t a big fan really. Then my Uncle got Purple Rain sent via the Brittania Music Club and gave it straight to me as he didn’t like it! It didn’t hit me straight away .. I think at 13 years old I was a bit put-off by his persona .. but it grew on me and by the time of Parade and Sign o’ the Times I was literally obsessed. It was the music of Prince and his proteges that led to myself and a friend, Andy, putting on a Prince party, which led to me buying decks and then becoming a DJ, so Purple Rain certainly impacted on my life!
3) Coldcut “Journeys by DJ”
By 94/95 I’d been DJing locally for a few years, at Bedrock and other clubs around Sussex and Kent, and starting to get the occasional London gig. I was still making tapes every month but with the likes of Journeys by DJ etc, we started to see perfectly recorded DJ mixes in CD quality with great packaging etc. We’d had Billy Nasty, John Digweed etc early in the series which had a major impact, and then Coldcut came along and took it into an area I’d never been before. Living in Hastings I was unable to hear their Kiss FM show so had no idea of what they were about, and this album took me into their mad world for 70 minutes. A real influence and something I always refer to if I’m delving into the more eclectic areas of my collection.
Dave’s Top 3 Club Tracks Of 2018 so far
1. Monolink ‘Sirens’ (Patrice Baumel Mix)
A stunning remix. Restrained and elegant, a thing of real beauty. Patrice has been consistently one of the best producers around for the last few years and this is one of his finest.
2. Bawrut ‘More Cowbell’ (Jimpster Remix)
Jamie’s remix is my perfect sound of now. Percussive & Melodic with just the right amount of Wonk. Still curious if the title came from the Saturday Night Live sketch with Will Ferrell & Christopher Walken. Very funny!
3. Super Flu ‘Ark/Doppt’
I still can’t believe the Super Flu boys put these two tracks out together. For me these are both A sides in their own right, it’s hard to pick a fave. They encapsulate the sound of 2018 to a tee!
Darren Emerson’s 3 favorite solo productions
It’s pretty tough to pick only three but the first ones that come into my head and that I connect with on a personal level are:
1.Jumbo – Underworld
Really enjoyed writing this when was in Underworld . Rolling bassline, emotional chords. Great memories.
2.It’s You – The White Lamp
The White Lamp is one of my other projects. It’s You has been a massive summer tune over the last few years.
3. BUB – Darren Emerson
One of my latest productions for the 3D project . Bit of a deeper vibe that works well in the clubs.