‘In the bag‘ is the feature in which we look into the record buying practices of our club’s resident DJs.
The first edition features a brilliant Butter Side Up resident and monthly KMAH Radio show host.
Name: Jonny Sleight
Hometown: Norwich
First record ever bought?
The Jungle Book OST – Bare Necessities
This is a tough one as my memory is a little bit hazy nowadays. I wouldn’t say I really bought this record, more inherited…but it means a lot to me still to this day. Back when I was a nipper and got upset at even the most trivial of things, The Jungle Book, and later the record, used to always bring me back round and I guess that still stands today. I still have it somewhere amongst all my unnecessary clutter.
Best floorfiller?
League Unlimited Orchestra – Things That Dreams Are Made Of
I don’t think this has ever really failed me to this day. I remember hearing this Human League track 10 years ago when I first started to properly get in to electronic music. Coming from a fairly quiet corner of the UK meant that finding decent music was always a bit of a struggle but what we did find was always pretty fucking weird. We all used to jump in cars and and go seek out free parties as a convoy in the forests and fields in and around Norfolk. The first time this hit my ears at a Planet Yes party I was blown away…even more so that it was already 25 years old at the time. Mental how fresh it still sounds.
Best crate dig?
Massive Attack – Special Cases (Akufen Remix)
Last year I was lucky enough to go and explore a member of 808 State’s collection that was around 5000-10,000 records strong at a pals record shop over in Newcastle (huge thanks to Antony Daly over at 586 records for being so helpful). It was all you could carry for a tenner…yeh, a tenner but you couldn’t listen which was a real lucky dip scenario. After 5 hours, a plethora of blisters and paper cuts and inhaling my bodyweight in dust and god knows what else I managed to come out with 3 record bags worth of unknown 12”s ranging from 80s disco and some really ropey pop, all the way through to some very strange big beat and electronica. This was one of the gems.
Sleaziest record?
Patrick Cowley – Somebody To Love Tonight (Demo version)
Took a while to narrow this one down. Patrick Cowley is one of the greatest producers to grace this planet in my opinion. The guy oozed sleaze and was so far ahead of his time pioneering the Hi-NRG/Italo Disco genre alongside the likes of Giorgio Moroder, Franco Rago & Gigi Farina in the 70s and 80s. It sucks that he died so young but his sound still thrives to this day. I was chuffed to bits that Honey Soundsystem’s Dark Entries imprint unearthed some old gay porn soundtracks Cowley wrote and decided to reissue them on two separate LP’s. It doesn’t get much sleazier than a gay porn soundtrack really, does it?
Most valuable record?
Boards Of Canada – Everything You Do Is A Balloon
It depends what you consider valuable?! I’ve definitely got some really pap records that are worth a lot of money that I’d rather not share if I’m completely honest haha. I more consider value being something that I hold dearest to my heart to be fair. I’m a complete fanboy when it comes to Boards Of Canada, borderline obsessive at times. Every single record I own by them holds a special place in my heart but this one absolute nails it on all fronts. Their sound is so distinctly unique and this particular record has pulled me out of many a bad situation as cheesy as that sounds. Fuck it, I don’t care its mint.
Weirdest record?
Aphex Twin – Cliffs [Selected Ambient Works Volume II]
I’ve accumulated some pretty odd stuff in my years of collecting records but Aphex Twin certainly takes the trophy as the weirdest. He’s probably done stranger records but the first time I sat down and listened to ‘Selected Ambient Works Volume II’ from start to finish I was completely freaked out, hypnotized and felt a definite sense of unease all at the same time. When my housemate presented me with an original copy of this I shed a tear of pure joy (Thanks Grem you ruddy legend). Aphex Twin is one of those intriguing characters that I would love to know what goes on inside his head, but at the same time I think it would be best to steer well clear for my own well being. Anyways, this track in particular, ‘Cliffs’, is an absolutely beautiful piece of weirdness to get lost in.
Last record you bought?
Autechre – Nil [Amber]
I didn’t buy this LP personally; it was a gift from my beloved mother. And one of the best gifts I have ever received, she has taste it seems! ‘Amber’ by Autechre has been in my holy grail of electronica for many years and finally having a copy that was all mine is a real treasure. Thanks mama, you da best.
Catch Jonny playing at Butter Side Up at Wire or at the HiFi Club soon, or listen to his lovely monthly Patchy Melodies show on Sundays at 10pm . Also, check out some of his weirdo electro productions below…
https://soundcloud.com/janasayshey/felixthephoenixunmastered