Konnichiwa and welcome to World Series: Tokyo

This release is the latest addition to our location-led roster of the most glamorous, stylish and cultural destinations of the world. Featuring the best upfront house from Kandi’s worldwide underground, we’re taking you now on a journey to a cyber-fuelled yet ancient and mystifying city that constantly outdoes the imagination - the neon metropolis of Tokyo. Hed Kandi DJs, Dean Rigg and Carl Hanaghan, lay down the mixes over 2 CDs, each selecting  tracks that define the mood and tone of our Tokyo parties at the renowned Warehouse702 club. We asked both DJs to discuss their music selection and here’s what they had to say...

Dean Rigg (CD1) - I thought I’d open with one of my favourite classic house records ‘Deep Inside’ as I often use it to warm up my sets. This brand new remix keeps all the flavour from the original but brings it up-to-date nicely meaning it would be rude not to use it on this mix! Dennis Ferrer’s ‘Hey Hey’ was an easy choice to follow with its deep house groove and quirky vocal, courtesy of Shingai Shoniwa from the Noisettes. It’s deep and hypnotic but still has that crossover appeal which works on the dancefloor. DJ Pierre’s remix of Simian Mobile Disco’s ‘Cruel Intentions’ with its little acid bleeps and noises has been on my iPod non-stop since I got it so I had to bring it into this mix. The vocal sticks in your head and DJ Pierre’s production brings a juggernaut groove to the whole affair. Later in the disc I’ve included my remix of The One Hundred’s ‘Break Me Down’. From the moment I heard the vocal I wanted to not only to sign it to Hed Kandi (watch this space!) but to remix it. The result is track eight on my mix, I hope you like it! I finished with the E.P.I.C mix of Example after hearing it blasted around our office for about a week after it was finalised. It really grew on me and I thought it was an apt epic finale to the CD.

Carl Hanaghan (CD2) – Working out my running order was a difficult affair with so many great records to choose from, however last year’s ADE Conference saw one track in particular get its moment in the spotlight, the Big Room Mix of ‘Step By Step’ from the Dutch wizards Laidback Luke & Gregor Salto featuring a luscious top line from Mavis Acquah. It’s been a favourite in my CD wallet for some time now and truly sets the tone for the mix to come. There has been a resurgence in remixing classic records of late and there is no better example than Harry ‘Choo Choo’ Romero’s, Night @ The Black. Mr. Romero steps up to re-cut his greatest piece of work to date and gives it his trademark Bombossa stamp of approval. Towards the middle part of my mix a true Ibiza classic in the making surfaces, ‘La Mezcla’ from Switzerland’s deep house producer Michel Cleis was named the undisputed track of Ibiza 2009, and the 2010 remix from Ant Brooks is an essential DJ weapon! Next up I thought I would touch on my own production which is collaboration with My Digital Enemy, ‘Subida’ (in Spanish means ‘Rise)’ and we wanted to achieve the ultimate uplifting feel good moments for the dancefloor through this record. I truly hope you enjoy it. Brighton-based Prok & Fitch, two of the scenes hottest up and coming producers, wrap up my mix with their track ‘Walk With Me’. It is simply infectious; the charm is in the melody, and it’s the perfect track to wrap up the compilation.

From the land that brought you true Japanese icons such as Hello Kitty, Pokémon and Nintendo (to name a few), we have decided to create an icon of our very own, World Series: Tokyo.

Jya Mata Ne

Team Kandi yori xx