REES: The ‘Shine A Light On’ Mix

5 Minute Read

Music

The Magic Ritmo co founder steps up with a heavy hitting hour of EBM and beyond.

REES is a producer and DJ based in the north of of England, Middlesborough to be precise. His tastes are rooted in the darker side of electronic music, drawn towards Acid, Electro and EBM making for a mean and eclectic selector in the booth. As the co founder of Magic Ritmo, he has been responsible for the release and re-release of eclectic leftfield cuts from the likes of Adel Dhibi and G.F.X having sought to breathe life back into highly sought after material.

This in and of itself demonstrates a keen sensibility to dig for records and establish a sense of sound.

His recent release came on our good friend and crew member Rosie’s label Human Endeavour and it’s firmly rooted in the sound of chug.

We invited REES to show us what he’s all about as he steps up with a killer mix of heavy hitting sounds which will work wonderfully in dark, sweaty rooms.

Listen and read the interview below:

You’re pretty new on our radar, fancy telling us a little bit about yourself. Who are you and where are you from?

I’m Adam, also known as REES, from the unordinary, industrial North East town of Middlesbrough. I’m a dj, producer, record collector and a label owner, co-running Magic Ritmo.

Where was the mix recorded?

In my home studio.

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

Summer evening, as the day begins to fall. Surrounded by friends before heading out to the club.

What should we be wearing?

Your favourite pair of trousers and some Magic Ritmo merch.

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

The White Hotel. 1am-3am.

Which track in the mix is your current favourite?

Dream Messages by Time Shard. Hypnotic-Dubby-Ambient-Froggy-Ethereal-Trancey-Downtempo bliss on the legendary Planet Dog!

What’s your favourite recorded mix of all time?

It’s been Orpheu The Wizard’s 2019 Dekmantel set ever since the festival, incredible to witness. One I wasn’t so lucky to is ‘Afra & Serge at Herfstdrift Festival 2023’. Amazing, thank GOODNESS for recordings ‘ey!

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

No prize for guessing. Orpheu The Wizard or Afra (predictable, I know). Two artists I have a huge amount of admiration for, each have blown me away on many dancefloors.

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

A cheap pair of CDJ 800s that I bought from a mate with a Pioneer DJM-350 and a book full of burned CD’s. Nowadays it’s a pair of CDJ 900s and that same DJM-350 or an E&S DJR400.

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

Both, but I put a lot more thought into a first track. It sets the tone of where you want to go, whether that be warm up, peak time or mixes / radio.

What were the first and last records you bought?

My first record was a double single of Soft Cell, Tainted Love / Where Did Our Love Go. My latest purchase was Rejuvination – Dr. Peter, tripped-out downtempo acid circa 1994.

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

Metallic and bitter with a sweet aftertaste.

If it was an animal what would it be?

Salamander

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

Talking Head’s Speaking In Tongues album. It skips like crazy. Amazing album, crap reissue.

Upcoming in the world of…

Another reissue is in the works on Magic Ritmo, plus we’re soon announcing the second season of parties for our residency at The Lubber Fiend, Newcastle. In the meantime, I’m just writing and recording more music, some club-focused and a more conceptual record in the works.

Anything else we need to discuss.

Don’t forget to vote! 🙂