The Magician - Magic Tape 102

The Magician launched us into June with another lush episode of his marvellous Magic Tape mix series. Like all previous editions, this new hour features a variety of funky disco house joints with a focus on new and forthcoming music. Also, just like its predecessor Magic Tape 101, the first twenty minutes are pure bliss. No matter my mood, I cannot bring myself to skip these sublime starts. In fact, these two most recent mixes have supplied some of my favourite tunes in the last month or two (see: the Perel remix of "See You Again," Dorothys Fortress' fabulous "Lucha Libre," and Krystal Klear's intoxicating "Piano Banana.") But, back to Magic Tape 102. The opening track, the only ID left, has a really familiar feeling. And here's where I get to the fun speculation as I have a sneaking suspicion (more likely just misguided hope) that this is new music from Joe Goddard and Raf Rundell, aka The 2 Bears. Musically, lyrically and thematically, it screams The 2 Bears, and I couldn't be happier if that is the case. However, and serendipitously punny, it could also be a new warner case production. Again, this would be a fit in his oeuvre, and we know he's been part of Magic Tapes and The Magician's Potion Records in the past. That said, there is no proper evidence either way as to whether this is The 2 Bears, warner case, or someone else entirely. Regardless, it's a fun, funky start to another exceptional edition of the Magic Tape series. Get down to it below and check out the largely complete (and correct) tracklist here.

UPDATE: The opening track has been released on Potion Records. It's Carl Chaste, "Change."

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Four Unreleased Tracks I'm Still Waiting For...

As the summer has come and gone, four tracks have found themselves still at the front of my mind as I wait for their eventual release. In early July we got a taste of the power pairing of Tiga and Hudson Mohawke by way of their Hardcore Romance hit "Love Minus Zero." Along with that a mix for Annie Mac, which featured a few more of their collaborations "Time To Time" and "Tear Down The Walls." The former also appeared in Martyn Bootyspoon's mix for Crack Magazine, and I must say I can neither get enough of the track itself nor its placement in the mix. Find it below starting just before the hour twenty-nine mark and be sure to stick around as the subsequent synth-led tracks are equally sublime.

Crack Magazine · Crack Mix 368 - Martyn Bootyspoon

The Magician - Magic Tape 97

Finally, the first new edition of the vaunted Magic Tape mix series since COVID-19 captured the world's attention in early March. The Magician is back with an hour made up almost exclusively of new and forthcoming material.

Opening up this new set is the simply sensational Chemical Brothers cut "Catch Me I'm Falling" from No Geography. It is followed by a beautiful, yet unidentified scintillating synth number which has an undeniably familiar feel, yet I can't quite put my finger on who either the vocalist or producer is. As the mix continues to pick up steam we get brand new and forthcoming releases from Mohawk & The Kid and Myd (respectively) before The Magician's "You And Me" appears to receive a sublime, striding remix from another yet unidentified source.

This same formula of new followed by forthcoming tunes is replicated as Boys Noize's Defected affair "Mvinline" is followed by a trio of yet unreleased offerings from Theo Kottis and Mozambo, with the former absolutely rocking resplendent. In terms of overall trajectory this is where the mix really peaks as both Tchami's "Buenos Aires" and Alex Preston & Rion S' "Love Somebody" deliver incredibly infectious energy. Finally, The Magician crafts a killer come-down with Moullinex's remix of Poolside "Sunrise Strategies" and Justice's remix of Frank Ocean "Dear April." Find the 'full' tracklist as identified by the prolific Zinderlong at 1001tracklists here and enjoy the mix in its entirety below.

The Magician · Magic Tape 97

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The Magician - Magic Tape 94

Belgian tastemaker The Magician never fails when it comes to his prolific Magic Tape mix series. Each and every time he manages to combine the freshest funk and soulful house tracks. And of course this 94th edition is no different. In just the first four tracks alone, two have been released in November and another, Tensnake's "Rules," is still forthcoming. The quality and fresh nature of the track selection is one thing, but being able to combine it as seamlessly as The Magician does is the true mark of quality.

Since the weather has turned I've felt an urge to play video games, especially when I listen to a good mix. This has been something that occurs to me when I revisit old mixes, as I have been doing lately with Tiga's weekly My Name Is Tiga upload. There are a number of old mixes that I go back to time and time again and always associate with some of my favourite times in university playing Lord Of The Rings Online for hours on end. And I truly believe there is something special about the combination of being focused on playing something while still having enough brain power left to enjoy a mix. It doesn't matter if the mix is new or old, fast or slow, heavy or easy-going, or even whether it has voice over - it just moves along brilliantly as you play. All of this is to say that, serendipitously a childhood friend reached out to me today, sharing a game he created (try it here), and of course I needed something to listen to while giving it a go.

Enter The Magician and the smooth moves of Magic Tape 94. Each worked on the other making both more enjoyable. Early on I suffered many defeats, but as the music kept getting better I couldn't just quit, I had to keep grooving. So maybe you can give yourself the same magical feeling by diving into a game and throwing this mix on. Or at least do something that lets the mix sit comfortably in the background, so as to properly let The Magician's alchemy inspire. Find semi-complete tracklist here.
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The Magician - Magic Tape 89

While it's not exactly the start of a new week, The Magician has blessed us with an hour of new tunes in the 89th edition of his Magic Tape series, perfect for pushing through the doldrums that is another ride around the calendar rows. Heavy on the unreleased content, even more so than usual, this mix features, at least what we believe to be, the likes of forthcoming A-Trak and The Aston Shuffle as well as recently released Mike Mago, Disclosure and The Black Madonna. While the heart of this tape is house, The Magician makes sure to offer up twists of acid, disco, funk, RnB, piano and more. It's not heavy on mixing but rather more focused on letting the beauty of each piece breathe, and boy does it feel good to let this uplifting oxygen into our lungs. While I've nearly made it through the whole tape for a second time, and a full listen is a must, I think I've pinpointed my favourite section, that being the trio of IDs between Disclosure's "Talk" VIP and A-Trak's "Work It Out," which drops Thursday on Fool's Gold. Stream the whole mix below and find at least a partial tracklist via 1001tracklists here.FOLLOW THE MAGICIAN: FACEBOOK SOUNDCLOUD TWITTER

The Magician - Magic Tape 86

After authoring some of my favourite mixes last year, The Magician's Magic Tape series returns with the 86th edition today. Always a top notch mix of disco, house, and funk from both the biggest acts and rising stars, the eclectic selection is sure to satisfy as well as set off your salivary glands as we get a taste of some new creations. Of the first seven tracks, five of them are unreleased or forthcoming with the two already released "Stay The Night" from HERO and "Paris Madness" from Samaran both coming in the last month. Certainly one could drool about all of these forthcoming releases but I can't get over 1) how good the Jamie Jones remix of Bob Moses is and 2) how well it goes into Rebūke's "Along Came Polly." With another Rebūke track, from the forthcoming Dirtybird Jump Ship EP, an ID and a vibes for days finale in 700 Bliss' "Ring The Alarm" and IZNiiK "Losing U," this is yet another awesome example of the quality of The Magician and his Magic Tape series. Stream below and get tracklist here.FOLLOW THE MAGICIAN: FACEBOOK SOUNDCLOUD TWITTER

The Magician - Magic Tape 85

If you enjoy a mix of all things funky and electronic The Magician's Magic Tape series is always worth a listen, with this latest edition a prime exemplar. Magnificently mixed, this hour long 85th iteration sees the whiz bring an incredibly keen focus on current releases alongside the awesome alchemy these tapes are known for. Most every track is released in the last month with a few still forthcoming in an A-Trak remix of "In Arms" and originals from Dom Dolla and Boston Bun (via 1001tracklists).

More than the nuts and bolts, The Magician picks tracks that fit perfectly together, combining in a powerful progression. The steps each track change signifies is part of the greater movement that he is authoring. It's all too easy to get swept up in Jengi's vital spirit in "Ice Tea" and move to an even more scintillating substance in Cavego's "Vår I Øyer." The twisted takeover of the beyond brilliant "Beulah Loves Dancing" puts takes the mix back down to earth, but boy does the dance spirit remain, as it does throughout. That three track opening is a microcosm of this Magic Tape, especially as it begins to rebuild immediately with the massively funky march of Jarami's "No Chance."

The ups and downs come and go, but all the while the big picture moves ever forward. Huge, full bangers hit in the middle of the hour as Prospa and Cousn slam the speakers. In perhaps the best move of this whole mix The Magician moves from "Juggle" to the Weiss dub of "Missing U" dragging the tape out of the dark by the light of Robyn. That is all to say the following four tracks are unreleased, ending finally with the Moon Willis remix "Hear The Music." So truly whatever your appetite, Magic Tape 85 has the funk to fill it. Enjoy and follow The Magician's socials for more below.FOLLOW THE MAGICIAN: FACEBOOK SOUNDCLOUD TWITTER

The Magician - Magic Tape 78 (Recorded live in Miami)

Of course Miami Music Week was top of mind the last little while and while many compilations have come and gone, The Magician's 78th edition of his Magic Tape mix series is an undeniable standout. Recorded live in the middle of Fool's Gold's takeover of 1-800-Lucky (between sets from A-Trak and MK), the hour long selection is all sorts of spellbinding sorcery. It features a handful of brilliant brand new jams including Duke Dumont's "Inhale," Peggy Gou's "It Make You Forget," and the Alex Metric/Ten Ven collab "Otic." Yes these are all familiar and fantastic tracks, and of course it features The Magician's masterful mixing mysticism, but the best bits are forthcoming releases from A-Trak & YehMe2's "Prayer Hands" (out Thursday) and Supermini's remix of Crush Club "We Dance." Get tracklist via 1001tracklists, stream below and begin your week with this bewitching wonderment.FOLLOW THE MAGICIAN: FACEBOOK SOUNDCLOUD TWITTER