Ali Tillett: The ‘Monday Is Okay’ Mix

5 Minute Read

Music

Exquisite, well considered selections from the Warm agency and label boss.

Ali Tillett is a DJ, label manager and agency founder. He has worked tirelessly behind the scenes for many years helping to assist in the careers of some of the most pivotal dj’s and artists of this generation.

However, he is also equally talented in his own right and he also knows more than a thing or two about records. This much is clear from the evolution of his record label Re:Warm – a reissue focussed imprint which has unearthed some forgotten gems from far and wide, breathing life into music which might never have resurfaced otherwise.

Re:Warm has released material by Margaret Wakeley, Winston Neale, The Hurricanes, Lucky Mereki and many more.

The recent release of a sprawling compilation which featured music from the likes of Ame, Bobby Lee and Richard Norris is perhaps the most influential offering from the label to date.

This mix showcases the versatility of Ali as a DJ and the variable excellence his label has become accustomed for.

Who are you, where are you and what are you?

I’m Ali Tillett and I’m in charge of Warm, the booking agency looking after acts such as Horse Meat Disco, Luke Una, Colleen ‘Cosmo’ Murphy and many more. I also run the Re:Warm record label. We run both the agency and label out of our office down in Poole in Dorset.

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)?

Chameleon – ever changing and never the same when it comes to the music I buy and play.

Where was the mix recorded?

The mix was recorded at home whilst watching the sunset over Poole harbour and the Purbecks.

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

I’d say probably sunset or sunrise preferably with a view over the sea or mountains preferably in a pub with a log fire and an alcoholic beverage as well for added joy.

What should we be wearing?

Depends where in the world to be honest but based on current UK temperatures I’d say a good fleece and some comfy socks with a pair of good jeans and maybe some walking shoes or something similar – just good old comfy clothes 🙂

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

To be honest anywhere in the UK with some epic scenery and a great sunset or sunrise and a 360 view. Some sort of vintage system – Tannoys or similar for a lovely warm sound with a lovely rotary such as Isonoe and then a pair of 1210’s all powered by a lovely amp.

Which track in the mix is your current favourite?

Would be the track by Brainchild which is an exclusive on my new compilation, HOME. It’s by two fabulous musicians, Tali & Pat and when I first heard it, i straightaway said I need to find a place for it on the compilation. It reminds me of 4hero productions.

What’s your favourite recorded mix of all time?

Blimey, probably a Moonboots mix or maybe the Attica Blues Drum Major Instinct mix – far too many tbh 🙂

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

It would be Moonboots as over the years I’ve always gone back to his mixes and listen to them on repeat and musically they are always spot on and normally with a bunch of records I have no idea about.

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

It was Gale monitors, Pioneer DJM 600, 2 x technics 1210’s and now it’s Klipsch Heresy speakers, Urei and Mastersounds mixers all powered with a Sugden amp and a pair of 1210’s.

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

It’s the start as it sets the tone/vibe for what the listener is about to dive into for the next hour or two.

What were the first and last records you bought?

First record hhhmmm – might have been Band Aid Christmas 7”. Last record I bought was Viviane Godoi – Dizem Por Aí / Estrela which is a Brazilian 7” I’ve been looking for, for quite some time.

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

A good slow cooked beef casserole with dumplings on top.

If it was an animal what would it be?

Probably a sloth – slow and steady but reflective

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

All my drum n bass records as I’m useless at mixing them.

Upcoming in the world of… Anything else we need to discuss?

HOME compilation I’ve curated is out now on RE:WARM and it includes exclusives by Kirk Degiorgio, World of Apples (Ewan Pearson), Coyote, Greymatter & GOLDSLANG, Pablo Color & HOVE, Turtle, Fug, Richard Norris and Bobby Lee & Mia Doi Todd. A project I’ve been working on for the last two years so I’m super happy to have it out in the world now for everyone to enjoy.

MIX TRACKLIST:

Gary Moore – Top of Cliff – RE:WARM
Crack’d Man – Between The Mist And The Sun – RE:WARM
Kirk Degiorgio presents As One – Orwell Rising – RE:WARM
Richard Norris – Warm Hunger – RE:WARM
John Beltran – You Interalize Them – Delsin
Stephen Porter – Leave Behind – KPM
Christopher Salt – Magnetic Whispers – KPM
Thom Yorke – Unmade – XL
The Detroit Escalator Co – The Inverted Man (Dreaming) – Peacefrog
Ame – Doldrums – RE:WARM
Pablo Color & HOVE – LICHT – RE:WARM
Brainchild – Beyond Because – RE:WARM
Portico Quartet – Monument – Gondwana
Avishai Cohen & Big Vicious – Teardrop – ECM
Gary Moore – Sea Lapping – RE:WARM