Following the recent release of his brand new album, legendary producer Josh Davis, AKA DJ Shadow has released his first BBC 1 Radio Essential Mix in 13 years, and it’s a triumphant return. After releasing his new album The Mountain Will Fall last week, Davis hit the decks for a two hour lesson in how to crush a mix. Pete Tong, the host of the show explains Shadow to be a pioneer, a don of his craft. And if you needed any further proof, here’s two hours of pure brilliance.
Shadow describes the structure of the mix in halves, with even parts new music and rare gems from waaaay back. Davis took to Twitter to explain his mix, laying out how the two hours would go. The first hour is for “killer new beats,” while the second is “strictly for the collectors,” and features “music very dear to my heart that is heretofore unknown.”
The 1st hour is an homage to the genius I hear around me on a daily basis. New beats, new ideas. Lots of Cali stuff bc that's where I dwell.
— DJ Shadow (@djshadow) July 1, 2016
The second hour: a left turn (naturally). Music very dear to my heart that is heretofore unknown. Definitely one for the hip-hop fanatics.
— DJ Shadow (@djshadow) July 1, 2016
I hope this 2-hour mix is fully representative of my DJ aesthetic: demonstrating a love for our musical past and present in equal measure.
— DJ Shadow (@djshadow) July 1, 2016
DJ Shadow’s latest album The Mountain Will Fall released on the 24th of June, preceded by a number of singles, most notably those featuring Run The Jewels and Nils Frahm. It’s an interesting, freeing and wildly explorative effort from the Californian producer, and with a number of high name collaborators. What it isn’t, however, is a remade Endtroducing…. which is a good thing. Don’t get me wrong, Davis’ first album under DJ Shadow is still one of the best instrumental hip-hop albums out there, but it’s always good to see an artist move forward and branch out rather than stagnate and try to recreate their previous successes.
Check out the mix below, or listen to his 2003 Essential Mix below that.
Image: Fact Mag