BRITISH DJ and veteran producer Jim Rivers is well known for his deep grooves, rolling bass lines and intricate melodies.
Jim’s new EP, Magnolia, on Steve Bug’sPoker Flat Recordingsis out now and is a perfect example of how he effortlessly masters the space between house and techno.
Jim Rivers – Magnolia
With previous releases on John Digweed’s Bedrock, Global Underground, Renaissance and an album on Carl Cox’s Intec label, Jim’s back catalogue is awash with musical variety, all made with a depth and warmth few can match.
Jim Rivers – Salix
Jim featured in the highly acclaimed Nu Breed series on Global Underground, alongside remixing a wealth of artists including Quivver, Laurent Garnier, Deadmau5 and Photek. Under his alias Copy Paste Soul, Jim fused Garage, Drum & Bass and Techno, all with a heavy dose of Soul, that garnered support from BBC Radio 1 DJs Annie Mac and Skream.
After a lengthy hiatus, Jim found the time to immerse himself in the studio last year and he began releasing a string of new productions under his own name again and his deep, dynamic productions and his unique ability to blur genre boundaries with finesse. The music immediately found favour with the likes of Laurent Garnier who signed numerous tracks to his COD3 QR label in addition to tracks landing on imprints such as Rhythm Cult, Stripped and Traum marking a triumphant return to the dance music sphere.
The Night Bazaar is also thrilled to announce that Jim Rivers will join The Night Bazaar and Cubism boss, Mark Gwinnett and BLACKBOX’s Mark Dickson as a resident DJ at The Night Bazaar’s monthly club residency, The Night Bazaar presents BLACKBOX in Hastings.
Clubbing has been a vital and vibrant part of UK youth culture for decades, ever evolving and giving rise to some of electronic music’s biggest names. These big-name DJs now mostly perform at large-scale events or headline massive festival stages, overshadowing the club experience. Rarely do they play in small, grassroots venues, which many of them miss for its intimate, raw club feeling. This shift and many other economic factors have put many of these venues at risk as they find it hard to compete.
The Night Bazaar, and Hastings Nightclub BLACKBOX are stepping up to raise awareness of this issue and the general plight of the small venue in the UK and offer a solution by bringing renowned DJs to BLACKBOX’s small space without the hefty ticket price.
The Night Bazaar presents... BLACKBOX launches on May 3rd with special guests Audiojack. For more information click HERE. www.thenightbazaar.co.uk
We caught up with Jim Rivers and asked him to compile an extended playlist of his favourite tracks from Poker Flat Recordings to mark the release of Magnolia. Listen and read what Jim had to say about the music below.
Steve Bug – A Shot In The Dark
This is Steve at his absolute finest in my opinion – stripped back, emotive, techiness which oozes soul. He’s the master of this sound and obviously the bedrock of the Poker Flat sound. I couldn’t believe how many immense tracks Steve has consistently put out on his label down the years. The true mark of a genuine artist.
Trentemoller – Polar Shift
I couldn’t have a Poker Flat chart and not include a Trentemoller track. Yet again amazing A&R from Steve. This track sounded so fresh and still sounds amazing. I remember in my early attempts in making music I tried so hard to make a Trentmoller clap..... there was something about the tone on it I loved. And his arrangements are soooooo good!
Ryo Murakami – Down The Sky (Argy Remix)
Man I loved this so much when it first came out. That hypnotic and trippy vibe. Such a futuristic chugger. It had that proggy feel but was more refined and techier. My fave Argy production on the Flat.
Martin Landsky – Blown Fuse
Martin has obviously featured heavily on the label and I know there are some far more obvious choices.....but this is my fave of his. Its that slightly detuned minor organ sound. Im such a sucker for sounds like this. Sounds immense. And less is more works so well in this record.
Vincenzo – Peng
This was a WTF is that record for me. I just loved how much it stood out. I think it was on a Poker Flat comp, and it totally grabbed my attention. Its wonky, electro vibe hooked me. And the way it builds. Love this just as much today!
Alex Niggemann – Tangram
A super classy, sophisticated slice of warm tech house. Its got the funk and it sounds so good on a big system – and then the strings hit.....oooooof!
Hakan lidbo – Coming Clean
I love this one because it has that German minimalistic sound and some proper UK sounding bass. I just loved that fusion.
John Tejada – Sweat on The Walls
Up there as one of my all time fave producers, Mr Tejada created an underground classic with Sweat On The Walls. I played this so much. Vocal was brilliant, but its the 3rd layer of the synth that takes it to the next level. Classic.
John Tejada – Steppa
The same EP as Sweat On The Walls has Steppa – I mean they don’t drop them like this anymore – both absolute killers. Brilliant crisp production. Everything sits just right and it brings the funk and soul in a unique way.
Dario D’Attis – Body Somebody
A proper tension builder this one....one of those records that you take your set up a notch, hooks people in and locks the groove.
Guido Schneider & Jens Bond – Oh My Buffer
I think this is my most played and possibly fave ever Poker Flat release. The minimal funk is timeless. The subtle arrangement. The wonky goodness. I always felt so comfortable in the booth when I played this record. STILL sounds amazing!!!!
Steve Bug – Loverboy (Josh Wink Remix)
My 12”; pretty much wore out I played this so much. I mean Steve and Josh – what a combo. The shuffle on this record is so good and I particularly love it when Josh goes deep. Brilliant.
Martin Landsky – Let Me Dance (Sebo K Remix)
This was always one of my fave records to play when I was warming up for the guest DJ. Warm, groovy and always got people dancing.
Deetron – The Maze
Another one of my absolute fave producers. This is such a Deetron sounding record. Warm and bassy and those trade mark stabs. Love it!
Martin Buttrich – Cloudy Bay
I think this was in that era when everyone started realising how much of a genius Martin was. He stepped out from behind the Dice productions and released some amazing records. This was one of his best IMO.
Simon Garcia. – Options
I love this gorgeous housey trippy record. Simon is such a beast at these slow tension builder records. This just grows and grows and sucks you in. Feel good quality house.
Donnacha Costello – Its What We Do (Kink & Neville Watson Remix)
Another main stay of the Flat....briliantly remixed by one of the best. Classic sound that will always sound great.
Aril Brikha – To Begin
Loved Aril since Groove Le Chord and this offering really reminds of the vibes from his second album. He really has such a distinctive sound. Just great electronic soulful music.
Martin Landsky – 1000 Miles
I couldn’t do a Poker Flat chart and not include this bad boy. A seminal classic. Rocked the underground and blew people away. Sounded so fresh when it dropped. Also, shout to my man Laurent Garnier who also did a great remix of this.
Steve Bug – A Night Like This
Another brilliant slice of trippy, warm, tech goodness from the boss. So hypnotic and it just works.
