From the Archivio #001: Five Tracks That Sound Like Summer

Music has always been everything to me. Looking back, it's probably the main reason I ended up doing what I do today.

Nietzsche described music as an expression of the Will to Power. I don't know if I'd go that far, but I do know that discovering a track I've never heard before, one that instantly blows my mind, is still one of the best feelings in the world.

Today, so much of what we hear is shaped by algorithms. Even the most obscure records can suddenly become TikTok or Instagram trends.

So I thought I'd go in the opposite direction and share five tracks that, to me, perfectly capture the feeling of summer and that still haven't made their way onto any streaming platform.

1) Prince Kene Nweze & The Jah Love Band – We Are Living In A Babylon

Some tracks just feel like summer, and We Are Living in a Babylon is definitely one of them. It instantly brings to mind the hottest part of the day, when the sun is relentless and a light breeze suddenly makes everything feel just right.

Despite how warm it sounds, the story behind it is incredible.

Released during one of the darkest periods in Nigeria's modern history, the album came out as military rule and IMF imposed economic reforms pushed the country into a deep economic crisis. The music industry was collapsing, major labels had stopped investing in artists, and many musicians were forced to finance their own recordings.

Maybe that's what makes this record so special. It carries the weight of its time without ever losing its warmth, a reminder that some of the brightest records are often born from the darkest moments.

2) Pat Lundy – Let's Get Down To Business

I actually discovered this record not too long ago. I was playing a gig in Capri when my friend Andrea Desiderio and I ended up doing a completely spontaneous B2B set. At one point he dropped this track, and for four minutes it felt like pure summer. Pure joy.

That's one of the things I love most about DJing. Sometimes the best discoveries happen when you least expect them.

3) Maureen – Tu Me Tues (Dance Mix)

The French really knew how to capture the Balearic sound, and this track is a perfect example. It's one of those records I always reach for when I'm playing a beach stage or a sunset set. It just belongs there.

Original copies are still fairly affordable, but if you're looking for an easier option, there's also a 2020 reissue that's much easier to find.

4) Sensations – Don't Get So Shy

I had completely forgotten about this record until I started playing it again at a few gigs recently. It sounds like an early American house production, but it's actually 100% South African.

Every single time I drop it, people go crazy.

It's a real shame that it's not on Spotify. Maybe that's part of what makes it feel so special.

5) Vivian Norris – Gonna Dance

Three or four years ago, I went through a phase where I was completely obsessed with Italo house. There was something about that unmistakable Italian sound that I just couldn't get enough of.

Around that time, I met a local DJ who had been playing throughout the '90s. He recommended this record, along with many others, but this one immediately stood out. It never really got the recognition it deserved, and today original copies are almost impossible to find.

It's definitely a €€€ record now, but every cent is worth it. An absolutely killer track.

Hopefully one of these records becomes part of your summer too.
Happy digging!