Tendai is a resident of London D&B institutions such as Swerve and Jamais Vu, and if you know the culture of these nights then you will be aware of the pure & simple STYLE woven deep throughout. He’s also a dedicated film buff and has given us the best of both worlds: an exclusive mix containing his first solo venture, some insight into his D&B radar and some film tips too. All while on the road in Japan!
Hi Tendai. You’re in Japan?
I’ve been here for about five days now and it’s the most amazing place in the world! Quite a culture shock being here and seeing that many people in one place. The crossing at Shibuya really needs to be seen to be believed. The efficiency on which the country runs is amazing. It’s so different that I feel completely disconnected from London right now.
What are you doing there?
Whilst I’m here I’ll be playing at some hip-hop clubs in Shibuya as well as Circus in Osaka on 5th December alongside DC Breaks and then on the 20th December will be the big one at Unit, Tokyo where I’ll be playing at the Metalheadz History Sessions alongside Goldie, Doc Scott and Makoto.
For the rest of the trip I’ll be travelling across the country from Tokyo to Kyushu, soaking up some culture and eating lots of great food.
What music has appeared for you this year? What are you most fond of?
My fond of project of this year was the MC Fats We Gotcha project. It shows the true power of the scene coming together and looking after its own. More generally there’s less cramming tunes to the brim unnecessarily and just coming with a more simple vibe which is always good. A good example of this is Halogenix ‘Her Waves’ on Critical.
httpv://youtu.be/fE6GnW5TdBM
What producers have turned your head?
Intelligent Manners and Command Strange have been the big head turners for me this year and feature heavily in the mix. Straight out of Russia, they have brought with them a whole lot of funk and soul in their tracks whether it be a liquid track or a tear out roller. Their forthcoming LP on Innerground is on fire.
Since we’re on the subject of Russian producers another guy who has been on my radar is Cutworks. He’s on the way to becoming a big name. His latest release on Occulti Music, ‘Top Floor’ is great…
Another big name to come through on many tunes this year is a MC out of NYC by the name of T.R.A.C – his hip-hop flow over D&B have been quite refreshing.
You mentioned London, what changes have you noticed regarding spots to hit in general?
London has lost a lot of great places including many night clubs through gentrification – it’s quite a serious issue. Even independent businesses in places like Brixton Market which are supposed to have protected status for its cultural significance are not safe from the effects.
Rather than concentrate on the great places that are now not longer there it’s better to concentrate on those that are still here now and worth going to:
Prince Charles Cinema, 7 Leicester Place, WC2H 2BY
London’s best cinema, not only will you catch some of the latest blockbusters, but also a whole load of retrospectives and all night movie marathons. All of those classic films like Aliens and The French Connection you wish you were old enough to see on the big screen all get shown here, and ticket prices are half that of other places.
Asakusa, 265 Eversholt Street London NW1 1BA
Don’t be fooled by this Japanese restaurant’s very unassuming and old looking exterior – this place is absolutely amazing. This place has truly authentic Japanese food and has an extensive menu that walks over the chain Japanese restaurants out there in both variety and taste.
Camden Coffee Shop, 11 Delancy Street, NW1 7NL
For you coffee lovers, this place has been selling coffee for over 30 years and it’s the best. They have a small selection of about eight different coffees which are roasted and ground on the premises daily for ultimate freshness as coffee flavor starts to deteriorate two weeks after it’s been roasted and transported.
Forge Music & Arts Centre, 3 Delancy Street, NW1 7NL
This is my favorite small music venue in London. They have everything from world music to documentary screenings, it’s a great little place for something different.
Zabludowicz Collection, 176 Prince of Wales Road, NW5 3PT
The project space has a host of exhibitions of new and cutting edge artists. They will also have themed music and event evenings linked to the exhibitions and always free.
You’re notorious for your film awareness and voracious appetite. Got some tips about films that have or will strike a chord?
A Hard Day
A cop whose just got divorced from his wife, had his mother die and is being investigated by internal affairs in the same week has things go from bad to worst when he accidentally runs over a guy on the way to the funeral and decides to hide the body. Days later he starts receiving mysterious phone calls from someone who knows what he did. What results is a non stop action thriller that is full of shocks as well as laughs.
httpv://youtu.be/pG8iJa4dYPc
Nightcrawler
An insight into the world of Nightcrawling – the filming of incidents to sell to news studios. It’s a great ‘underbelly of LA’ movie.
httpv://youtu.be/u1uP_8VJkDQ
American Sniper
This true story of the US sniper with the highest number of kills is an interesting one especially in the aftermath of duty and the subject of PTSD. It’s going to be a thrilling and telling movie.
httpv://youtu.be/6xNDrSG1A8U
Predestination
Don’t be put off by the fact that this movie looks like many movies that came before it – it’s something quite unique and different.
httpv://youtu.be/UVOpfpYijHA
Exclusive Tendai mix
Tracklist
Redeyes ‘Goodnight Brooklyn’ – Vandal Records
Intelligent Manners ‘Still’ – Fokuz Recordings
BCee ‘Breath In’ – Fokuz Recordings
Dynamic & Command Strange ‘A Girl Like You’ (Random Movement Remix) – Inform Records
Break ‘Coming 4 U’ – Warm Communications
D.Kay ‘Devotion’ – Soul:r
Halogenix ‘Her Waves’ Critical Music
Intelligent Manners feat. Command Strange & Pouyah ‘Do It’ – Fokuz Recordings
Simplification & Translate ‘I Need You Now’ – Liquid V
Cutworks ‘Restrict’ – Occulti Music
Nu:Tone ‘Change’ – Hospital Records
Intelligent Manners ‘All By Myself’ – Fokuz Recordings
Kasper & Satl ‘We Could Always’ – Fokuz Recordings
dBridge ‘China Blue’ – Liquid V
DJ Trax ‘Attack Of The 50ft Amen’ – Tempo
Nu Tone ‘Bay Of Islands’ (feat. Logistics) – Hospital Records
Total Science ft. Grimm ‘So Addicted’ – Warm Communications
Intelligent Manners & Command Strange ‘Stay True’ – Innerground
Redlight feat Lolo ‘Cure Me’ (feat Lolo – DJ Die remix) – Polydor
Roy Green & Protone ‘Jazzy Pants’ – Innerground
Tendai ‘Untitled’