The third and final week of our Autumn techno onslaught comes from one of Minus’ most talented signings of the last few years – New York’s groovy mofo Ambivalent. “We met when I was organising parties under the Brooklyn Bridge” he recently told us off his and Minus boss Richie Hawtin’s first meeting. “Later on I worked for him. Over time I would occasionally give him some music. I was releasing tracks with my friends on Clink, and then Troy gave a copy of R U OK to Rich. The next day he asked me to release it with Minus.”
Hawtin’s keen ear for talent and hastiness to sign Ambivalent’s music didn’t let him down, with his productions and DJ sets quickly winning him fans across the world and allowing him to be accepted into their burgeoning family with ease. This podcast sums up everything we love about him – sexy, jacking, stripped-back techno with a hell of a groove, some enticing builds, dashes of weirdness, and a surprise ending.
Ambivalent plays Rabid Festival at SeOne London on Sat 7th November. Click here for more details
Sum up this podcast in 10 words...
It would be my pleasure. First let me say that...
What’s your personal favourite track on it?
That's a cruel thing to do. Ask me to choose a favo(u)rite? It's easier to say there are a lot of tracks from some of my favorite producers on here. Paco Osuna, JPLS, Hobo, Tim Xavier, Alexi Delano all make several prime appearances, and I'm flattered that they're my friends, too.
What’s the special ingredient in this mix?
Ambivalence. What did you expect me to say?
What’s the best gig you’ve played recently?
Contakt at Brixton Academy was completely a mindbender. I was on a US tour with Barem and Mr. Hawtin, and we played Summerfest in Milwaukee. I got done playing and went to see Judas Priest at the next stage. I have to admit that's a pretty awesome perk.
What have you got coming up?
My most recent Minus EP is out and hopefully still making people queasy. I have a remix of a Paco Osuna track out on Minibus this month, and my remix of Tim Xavier and Miro Pajic should be out on LTD 400 momentarily. Both of those tracks are on this mix. Anyone who finds them in the mix, and then correctly identifies them to me in person will receive a 3% cash rebate of the purchase price of this mix.
And finally, do you have a special message for our readers?
I'd like to say jack your body, work it, move it, shake it, throw your hands up, get into the groove, don't do drugs, clean your plate, think of the starving children and stay in school. Oh, and thanks for listening.
Tracklisting:
JPLS - Voxplosion [Escape]
Paco Osuna - My Friend [Plus 8]
Someone Else - Sunny Day in Smallville (Kriss Rmx) [Foundsound]
Omar S - Motor City Jackpot [FXHE]
Alexi Delano - Adjust My Frequency (Paco Osuna Rmx) [Clink]
Wouter de Moor - Gideon [Mindshake]
Hobo - Closer to the Bullet [Minus]
Matt Herdman - Past Twelve [Incorrect Music]
Ambivalexi - untitled [unreleased]
Alexi Delano & Cari Lekebush [Persian]
Paco Osuna - Rishko (Ambivalent Remix) [Minibus]
Tim Xavier & Miro Pajic - The Persian Eye (Ambivalent Remix) [LTD 400]
Hobo - Fidget [Minus]
Noreuil - Rain Man [Tokio Recordings]
Paco Osuna - Party in Chicago [Plus 8]
Dahlbäck & Krome - The Real Jazz [DK Records]
Selway & Turov - Jazz Hands [CSM Records]
Schatrax - Misspent Years [Schatrax]
Marcel Duchamp - ?