Rekord 61: The Ransom Note Mix

Music

Rekord 61, also known as Alexander Babeav has moved on from producing house and disco. He now spends his free time making analogue-heavy, thought provoking techno. And we rather like it. We're not going to lie, it was the Perc mix of a recent single of his that caught our attention initially… he was like a gateway drug if you like. We're all for gateway drugs if it turns up things like this.

Anyway, having recently released an album on his own label, Konstruktiv Records, the Russian born and bred producer, now residing in Berlin airmailed us this week's mighty fine Ransom Note Mix.

We had a quick chinwag with him… get your ears round this first.

ow read this:

Please introduce yourself.

I am Alexander Babaev, I live in Moscow and perform under the alias Rekord 61. Also I’m the owner of Berlin-based label Konstruktiv. I hope you’ve heard some of my or Konstruktiv’s productions.

Where was the mix recorded?

In my studio in Moscow. I have a lovely place here.

What would be the ideal setting to listen to the mix?

Any decent audio system or headphones. The mix is constructed to be great for listening at home and simultaneously is perfect for your little party.

What should we be wearing?

Slim-fitted polo and a matching chino shorts.

What would be your dream setting to record a mix: Location/system/format?

I love live mixes when people scream on a background, clap their hands. I’d like to record one of these, but we need to find out how to make it with a best possible quality.

Which track in the mix is your current favourite?

Head High – It's A Love Thing (The XXX Mono Mix)
This rough sick style makes me crazy. Real floor filler.

What’s your favourite recorded mix of all time?

It’s hard to extract one of them. Let it be Apparat’s DJ Kicks. It’s something not from this planet. I remember I was affected for several weeks!

If you could go back to back with any DJ from throughout history, who would it be and why?

I’d go back in 1990 in and would do it with Westbam on one of the first Love Parades. I’d like to feel it at the beginning of the rave culture.

What was your first DJ set up at home and what is it now?

It was an awful cassette deck system and I had to be very crafty to mix tracks. To be honest, only rare attempts were successful.
Today I have anything I need: decent decks, great monitors, useful software.

What’s more important, the track you start on or the track you end on?

I think that more important is to feel the crowd. If you do it right, for example, you can start with a “common” just a working thing. Sometimes your need for an “extraordinary start” can make the situation worse. That is fair for the ending too.

What were the first and last records you bought?

Regarding the vinyl, the first was one of Heiko Laux’s records, “Souldancer” I think.
The last one is a great disc from Resin label with various artists including Bleaching Agent and his incredible “Akplenc”.