San Francisco DJ Nikola Baytala has become a crucial component of the
minimal-techno collective known as Kontrol. But don't typecast him as
a one-dimensional droid with a M-nus Records logo tattoo. He's been
exploring the upper echelons of the techno/house continuum since the
early '90s (including the last 10 years at The Top, a weekly event
hosted by S.W.A.T., aka Special Weapons and Tactics), gaining a
reputation as a DJ's DJ, with acclaim coming from house-music legends
like Derrick Carter and Doc Martin.
Moreover, Baytala's list of musical influences and loves is vast,
eclectic, and impeccable. The following roll call just scratches the
surface: dub/reggae (Lee "Scratch" Perry), jazz (Pharoah Sanders),
world (Ravi Shankar, Mulatu Astatke), funk (Cymande), soul (Bill
Withers), hiphop (Gang Starr), Krautrock (Can), electro (Egyptian
Lover, Kraftwerk), disco (DJ Harvey), Latin (Tito Puente),
soundtrack/new age (Vangelis), rock (Steely Dan), post-punk (ESG,
Liquid Liquid), and post-rock (Outhud). As for his bread and butter,
Baytala similarly displays excellent judgment, with a heavy preference
for quality-pushers like Jeff Mills, Gas, Monolake, Robert Hood, Theo
Parrish, and Mr. Fingers.
When you see a DJ possess such wide-ranging, outstanding taste, it
instills confidence that he/she will rarely, if ever, veer into
wackness. Baytala clearly has put many hours of study into his craft,
and it's paid off with smooth mixes and world-class track selection.
Besides his formidable technical skills and profound knowledge,
Baytala reportedly exudes a lot of personality and passion behind the
decks, which must have served him well while opening for acts like
Jane's Addiction.
Everything I've heard by Baytala suggests that his sets avoid the
supposed pitfalls of minimal dance music. They're kinetic, dynamic,
and, of course, cheese-free. I can't believe I've only just recently
found out about this mensch.
Robtronik Presents COMPRESSION -> Dance Floor Soul FOUR . YEAR . ANNIVERSARY . PARTY // FRI NOV 27 > 2009 FEATURING THE SF's DIRTY BIRD CREW 2 ROOMS // ALL FUNKTION ONE SOUND ++ C L A U D E . V O N . S T R O K E [dirty bird | SF] On his world wide BIRD BRAIN record release tour! Get it now! Web: http://www.dirtybirdrecords.com/ And Also Featuring: ++ CHRISTIAN MARTIN ++ JUSTIN MARTIN ++ VOODUEX (live) ++ MONTY LUKE With Special Opening Sets by the Compression Resident DJs: ++ ANDRE EZER & MATT XAVIER COMPRESSION // Dance Floor Soul 9:30 p.m. - 4 a.m.. | 21 & Over | 2 FULL BARS | 2 ROOMS - all night long FUNKTION ONE SOUND by Funkwerks CINESPACE Hollywood | 6356 Hollywood Boulevard Hollywood, CA http://www.robtronik.com http://www.cinespace.info RSVP DISCOUNT & PRESALE INFO: Get either entry ticket type here: http://compression86.eventbrite.com/ RSVP DISCOUNT: $15 before 11:00 p.m. | Print & Bring Ticket!! -> $20 Reg Admission w/o RSVP or Presale Ticket For Permanent DISCOUNT RSVP Listing for all Robtronik Events, Create a profile at: http://www.robtronik.com Follow live updates on Compression, Convention, Planetary Series, & Robtronik on Twitter @: http://www.twitter.com/compressionla
Alex-T's_Live@Villa Sol Mix, Ibiza - 2009 Featuring new tracks from Luciano, Loco Dice, Guy Gerber, Mark Knight, Behrouz and more. Listen/download: http://www.visaomedia.com/alex-t-livevilla-sol-ibiza-2009
You played the sickest set at the DEMF!!!! It was amazing.... What was the track that you played the "My House" accapella over? Did you record the set? Do you have a track list?
HECTOR HERNANDEZ - THE SCIENCE EP !!!! 4 electronic slabs of musical perfection
OUT THIS SATURDAY (23rd MAY) !!!
Available from Mutate Records online store @ www.mutaterecords.co.uk (discounted) also at iTunes/Beatport/Track It Down and all other download platforms.
How the hell have you been man?Heading out to Detroit in a couple days....would love to catch up with you...I'm very stoked to know there's going to definitely be some good music there on Saturday...Hope your well man.
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