Albin: The ‘Shine A Light On’ Mix

There’s a distinct UK influence to the output, you’ll hear breakbeat, garage, jungle, IDM and braindance sounds coming from producers like Kessler, Boulderhead, XTMR and more, plus there’s plenty of compilations to sink your teeth into.

The UK connection is also kept alive through the label’s residency on South East London’s Balamii Radio which sees him invite label mates and like-minded DJs to take over the controls each month.

Just like Albin asserts, his mix for us is fluid and energetic – and there’s absolutely no messing about, he gets straight into it from the jump. The drums take centre stage throughout, flipping between rolling and skippy patterns that sit over dub-wise atmospheres and tittering percussion – whether you’re on your morning run or making a beeline for the dance floor, this will keep those energy levels up.

Please introduce yourself… Who are you, where are you and what are you

Hi, I’m Albin. I’m from Belo Horizonte, Brazil, now based in Porto, Portugal. Enjoying the winter through mostly staying at home, digging music online, and working on new releases/ideas. Well, what am I? I guess I am a person who believes in connections and life. But technically I’m a DJ, producer and label head of Yellow Island Records.

What does your music sound like? Can you draw what you think it sounds like for us (an image from the old internet is acceptable)?

Where was the mix recorded?

The mix was recorded on my roof terrace during a very pleasant winter afternoon here in Porto. I tried to combine some of my favorite tracks into a fluid and energetic mix, with sounds that can definitely work in a club environment.

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

The ideal setting to listen to it would be in a warehouse party, to dance to it. But this mix also goes well with daily life, to give an energetic feeling to the day.

What should we be wearing?

Comfortable clothes that allow you to shake your body from time to time.

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

In a large, abandoned warehouse in the industrial area of Barra Funda, São Paulo, with Skee Mask + Djrum.

Which track in the mix is your current favorite?

Bluster (Djrum Remix) by Wordcolour.

What’s your favorite recorded mix of all time?

I have lots of favorites, but I definitely want to mention the FHUO #47 by Myles Mac, a sublime nostalgic 90s chill-out mix.

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

DJ Shadow, one of the best non-drumming drummers, if that makes sense…

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

My first setup was a cheap Hercules controller, and today a cheap Pioneer DDJ400 controller. Lol. With Adam T7Vs.

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

Both tracks are important to keep the identity of the mix.

What were the first and last records you bought?

The first was ‘Tony Garcia’ influenced by my family music taste, and the last was ‘Ike – Stone Diviner (ORKL-17)’.

If this mix was an edible thing, what would it taste like?

Spicy and fresh.

If it was an animal what would it be?

A nocturnal fox.

One record in your collection that is impossible to mix into anything?

Difficult to answer this question, I think all the records in my collection can be in some kind of way mixed with another.

Upcoming in the world of …

Going to play for the first time at Tisno – Croatia, a European summer festival with a lineup full of artists who are huge references for me. I’m so excited to it!

Anything else we need to discuss?

I would just like to thank you for having me here and wish you all a nice year!

Art credit: Wout Werensteijn from Nederland.