BBC Radio 1’s Essential Mix series, the Saturday morning cartoons of people who like to listen to 4 a.m. Saturday superstar DJ sets, scored a major booking this week: DJ Shadow. It’s the pioneering producer’s first solo Essential Mix since his debut performance in 2003.
The first hour of the set was recorded in April and features “new beats, new ideas,” and “lots of Cali stuff,” Shadow wrote on Twitter. The second hour is “one for the hip-hop fanatics,” and features “music very dear to my heart that is heretofore unknown.”
DJ Shadow’s latest album, The Mountain Will Fall, is just out from Mass Appeal Records. Listen to his new Essential Mix here (via Fact Mag), and check out some commentary from Shadow below.
My @essentialmix airs this weekend. First hour, killer new beats. Hour 2 is strictly for the collectors. 🚀 @BBCR1
— DJ Shadow (@djshadow) 28 juin 2016
Ok, just a few more hours until my new @essentialmix drops on @BBCR1 . Fun fact #1: my first Essential Mix debuted over 13 years ago.
— DJ Shadow (@djshadow) 1 juillet 2016
I put so much energy into it that I decided to issue it as a limited 2xCD package called “Diminishing Returns.” Stickers & coasters included
— DJ Shadow (@djshadow) 1 juillet 2016
The slow, moody singer/songwriter track near the end of the mix is one of the most asked-about records I’ve ever shared in any context.
— DJ Shadow (@djshadow) 1 juillet 2016
In fact a NY Times journalist recently asked if she could do a story about the phenomenon. Hopefully that’ll happen soon. I’m ready 2 reveal
— DJ Shadow (@djshadow) 1 juillet 2016
Back to the new mix. Fun fact #2: I recorded the first half in April, right after finishing the new album. Had to get it in before tour prep
— DJ Shadow (@djshadow) 1 juillet 2016
The 1st hour is an homage to the genius I hear around me on a daily basis. New beats, new ideas. Lots of Cali stuff bc that’s where I dwell.
— DJ Shadow (@djshadow) 1 juillet 2016
The second hour: a left turn (naturally). Music very dear to my heart that is heretofore unknown. Definitely one for the hip-hop fanatics.
— DJ Shadow (@djshadow) 1 juillet 2016
I hope this 2-hour mix is fully representative of my DJ aesthetic: demonstrating a love for our musical past and present in equal measure.
— DJ Shadow (@djshadow) 1 juillet 2016
