Orlando Voorn: The Ransom Note Mix

This one is a little bit special – Orlando Voorn remains one of the most significant producers and dj’s of a generation having released a sprawling catalogue of material across almost thirty years. In the 90’s his focus was placed on techno and purpose built club tracks, this is perhaps what he is best known for. However, in between this there have been explorations into IDM, House and beyond with endless monikers fulfilling his creative aspirations. The Living Room, Format, Fix, Baruka and The Nighttripper are but to name a very few. 

Orlando Voorn played a pivotal role in the emergence of Detroit techno in Holland – he pioneered a sound which evolved in the underground communities of the US and helped bring it to life overseas. Collaborations with the likes of Blake Baxter and Juan Atkins cemented this further. 

In the present he remains an unsung hero of the underground, still furiously releasing music at a relentless pace. His latest outing is on Kompakt and showcases his longstanding relationship with old school electro and Detroit techno in fine form. 

We invited him to record a mix for the site, it’s blistering and fast paced straight from the off – you have been warned. 

Listen below:

Please introduce yourself…

My name is : Orlando Voorn

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

Paco Di Banco. I still think house music today is a little bit boring. I’m in Georgia USA and I produce various recordings and put them out. I am known for my Detroit connection and am part of the first wave of Detroit Techno. I made several classic tracks including ‘Game One’ which was produced by myself & Juan Atkins – the creator of Detroit Techno. Had records and remixes out on Labels Like UR, METROPLEX, KMS and Fragile. In 2021 i’m more productive then ever.

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)?

When was the mix recorded?

Couple of days ago.

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

A big sound system in a Club but since we in the midst of a pandemic The Living Room is the alternative.

What should we be wearing?

Depends on what your motivation is but if you gonna dance to it I suggest you put on something lightweight or get naked so you can sweat your ass off.

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

Location: In Heaven doing back to backʼs with my friends that left earth to soon.
System: Space
Format : 3 Gold Technics 1200mk 5 _2 CDJ Pioneers (the heavenly version) And rotary mixer with crossfader.

Which track in the mix is your current favourite?

Jani Ho – Frozen World

Whatʼs your favourite recorded mix of all time?

For me it was the DMC World championship set in 1986 when most of yaʼll were still wearing pampers – I was quick mixing (in tune) and scratching.

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

A back to back would be interesting with Jeff Mills as he also is very freestyle when Dj’ing. I would also like to see 2 setups where you can keep every rotating simultaneously. Who knows it might be something that can be done in the near future. Axis will be putting out a 4 tracker soon called the ‘Star Travel’ EP.

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

First DJ Set was 1200mk2 Technics and a big looking mixer with transform buttons on it. I don’t quite remember the brand but after some long nagging my Dad bought me the turntables. Now I have 2 Audio Technics & a Numark Mixer.

Whatʼs more important, the track you start on or the track you end on?

The entire set is important not just the start or ending. It has to keep your attention throughout the entire thing.

What were the first and last records you bought?

First records? Hmmm thatʼs a tough one, I started buying import from USA at the age of 13. Most likely my first records were from the (symphonic ) rock area – Van Halen, Rush, Motorhead, Saxon.

I was into Heavy metal and symphonic rock early on and also played the drums. I would study Neil Part from Rush and master the double bass drum kick theory and mathematical drum patterns. This was a very important area in my upbringing with music. I could not read a note but my drum teacher thought it was not necessary in my case as I picked up fast what he was teaching me just by looking. Later on I played in Jazz combo. The overall thing with me is I grew up on several styles of music and liked several things. Music should be not about the same thing over and over – then it gets boring. 

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

A Pineapple Flavored XTC pill.

If it was an animal what would it be?

A lion.

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

If there is it is one of Autechtreʼs tracks but not that I know of.

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

This year expect a lot of production : 2 Albums Completed
“The Master” Album with some wonderful features. ARTIFACT
“Swing the Jazz” Album _ARTIFACT
Several Vinyl /DIigital EPʼS Out soon One on the highly respected Kompakt records
Orlando Voorn _Internal Destination EP
Orlando Voorn Star Travel EP_AXIS (Jeff Mills)
Frequency _ Panic Mode EP_Repetitive Rhythm Research_Clone
ON Burek: Soul Society EP
ON Burek: Collab with Amp Fidler (Forthcoming)
ON BIG & DIRTY: Orlando Voorn Feat :GURU & LIL DAP pay attention
A track made when Guru still was alive this is an official Release
ON UR Collab With Mike Banks (Later this year)
ON:FOLLOW DA GROOVE(ITALY) Underground Savage EP
VERTIGO EP
Tracks on Bombis: The Dancer EP and much more follow the label
Also Triangle my own imprint now run by me and Paul Donton
As well as Nighttripper Records

And we are just starting the second month of 2021….

Buy the new EP on Kompakt HERE.