Positive Vibes is back! A chance for you to enrich your playlist with unfettered sonic pleasure, each feature contains three instant-happy place tracks, as selected by some of the best players operating in drum & bass.
The man kick-starting this series re-launch is none other than Tokyo Prose. New Zealand-born, London-based, his deep arrangements and sparse soul have been tickling liquid lovers since 2011. Elevating his smouldering repertoire to the ever-essential ‘next level’ status, he’s about to go in deep with his stunning debut album Presence.
Like many of your favourite artists, the album’s creative process was actually soundtracked by every other style of music but drum & bass. Ensuring inspiration and influence is kept as wide as possible, Tokyo Prose (real name Sam Reed) keeps his radar as wide and as timeless as possible. 70s music is a specific area of interest for Sam, as are mixtapes where brave new worlds of fresh musical discovery await on every blend…
“I listen to a lot of mixes,” he explains. “Mainly from DJs like Peanut Butter Wolf and Floating Points; DJs like them go deep into things and you’re boundf to hear music you’ve never ever heard before. From that you can pick your favourites and branch out from there.”
We be branching right here. Below are three of Sam’s current instant positivity tracks that never fail to put a smile on his face. Not just a great selection, but some really interesting insight into what inspires the mind of a man who’s making some of the most distinctive deep drum & bass right now.
Once you’ve checked them, check his album when it drops on August 4 on Samurai Red Seal… Positive Vibes within drum & bass don’t get any better!
Stevie Wonder – Sir Duke
httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6sIjSNTS7Fs
“One of the happiest tunes ever written! Even if you don’t think you know it, you do. I’ve been digging a lot of Stevie Wonder lately, he’s got too many amazing tracks.”
Joubert Singers – Stand On The World (Larry Levan remix)
httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JiENJ-ASf4c
“That gospel vocal and those big pianos! Instant positivity for me every single time. I don’t understand how anyone couldn’t like this…”
Arthur Russell – That’s Us/Wild Combination
httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SK1mGrsm0yw
“It’s half way between disco and singer/songwriter style. I’ve been listening to it a lot recently. I discovered Arthur Russell at the end of last year and he features a lot in my non drum & bass listening playlists. I love pretty much everything he does, especially this.”
