Since the start of the new academic term, Kontra have put on some of the most memorable parties of recent times, with HAAi, Tornado Wallace, Jamie Tiller and Mehmet Aslan all guesting for them. The brains behind the events, Natalia and Zachary, have since become in-demand deejays in Leeds, often appearing at venues all over the city, and even on big line-ups with Moodymann and Kerri Chandler recently.
Their next event is probably their most exciting to date, featuring devilishly good Danish selector Courtesy and UK radio legend Josey Rebelle. Considering that this is unofficially an end of exams event, and the festival season is upon us, we asked the pair to compile a few tracks that feel just right for blasting when the sun is at its peak, and during those long hot summer nights.
The Manuel Azevedo Quartet – Futebol de bar
Nat: The simplicity and complexity of this song always amazes me, how there’s only 3 instruments and yet it creates this incredible depth. It’s one of those tunes that I find myself returning to again and again and it’s a perfect warmup song on a summer night.
DJ Ciderman- Summer Groove
Nat: Zac and I found this song on Bandcamp around the time when we were doing charity events at the book club after just starting Kontra. Every time I hear it, it just reminds me of the times that we had there, of warm summer evenings in Hyde Park, it’s very nostalgic for us both.
Open Spaces – Sunrise Paradise Garage
Nat: For me, italo-house is the perfect genre to encapsulate summer. This song features on Young Marco’s compilation album, jam packed full of dreamy tracks such as this one. I think the uplifting spacey intro on this one made it really stand out to me.
DJ Central – Hejhej
Zac: Central solidifies his reputation as a stellar producer as well as DJ with his latest EP on Help Recordings. Hejhej is lovely rolling track which sounds like it was made with day parties in mind.
Roomsa – Tonight (Glenn Underground C.V.O. Mix)
Zac: The Chicago great delivers a really nice deep jazz-y sound in this remix of Roomsa. You could reach for so many of his tunes at this time of year. The keys and vocals on this one are sublime and keep getting better as it goes. Can someone please bring Glenn to Leeds?!
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