Isaac Peces’ Transmission From Space
For each mix in the TFS series so far, we’ve personally invited a favourite selector for a contribution. Number 16 happily marks a slightly different occasion, being the first time a DJ we haven’t known has approached us with a mix that has so totally fit with our sound and style.
Isaac reached out to us back in September, and after a little chat we discovered he’s played at some our favourite bars/clubs around Europe, and is part of some really serious collectives around his home (Souldiggers / SoundVision / Fiera del Disco).
This mix resonated with us completely, and is a deep dive through his passion for funk, MPB, afrobeat, disco, boogie, house, dub, italo, tropical, and more. Basically all the stuff we love to play! It’s an absolute blinder, which you can check out at the link below. And scroll a bit further down for some question we asked him to get to know him a little better.
TFS016 - Isaac Peces
Tech Spec:
2 x Reloop RP-4000 MK2 (turntables)
2 x Stanton 520 SK Craze (cartridges)
Omnitronic Rotary (mixer)
Audio Technica ATH-M50X (headphones)
Audio Technica AT-618 (stabilizers)
KRK Rp5 (monitors)
1x CDJ 700
Hey Isaac, first off can you give us a little run down of your set up?
My home set is a lot more modest than I'd like, but it's powerful enough for me to play happily and scare the neighbours a little. When I play in a club with a good sound system, I feel a big difference and I really get better mixes. Although this set, in addition to my turntables, was recorded with a cheap Omnitronic rotary mixer and a CDJ700 (for some digital edits), added to the equipment that I include below:
2 x Reloop RP-4000 MK2 (turntables)
2 x Stanton 520 SK Craze (cartridges)
Pioneer DJM 500 (mixer)
Audio Technica ATH-M50X (headphones)
Audio Technica AT-618 (stabilizers)
KRK Rp5 (monitors)
How do you like to organise your record collection?
This year I had more free time than usual, so I was able to order my vinyl collection a little more than before, as it was complete chaos. I don't like the alphabetical order, now I separate the vinyls that are coming and going from home (due to their dance tempo and accessibility). from those that are more quiet listening in other more hidden cabinets or bags. I make shelves only from House 12’s, another only from Brazil LP’s, another with Compilations, etc. I try not to accumulate too much, not a joke! and sell everything that doesn’t convince me 100% in packs to private buyers.
And how do you tend to organise your sets? Are you a systematic planner or do you prefer it more freeflow?
I don't usually plan anything, but I do inform myself where I’m playing, what kind of audience there will be or who is the usual resident, especially if I go with my vinyl bag. What I do is take things quite slow for the beginning, more atmospheric, planning my sessions as a journey, more and more, after ten years playing records, I continue to discover new sounds and I like instrumental songs more and I select carefully which voices are going to sound at certain times. Within my style, I like the transition from one thing to another without fear, starting from a balearic theme and mixing it with some modern-soul, then a rare italo song, then a piece of house tempo with a psychedelic flavour, always keeping the rhythm constant... All of this creates a musical ensemble that defines your style. Of course I keep several ‘secret-weapon-hits’ that I know never fail! I usually carry too many records, even for 1hr set, which I often never end up playing, my aching back knows!
Can you tell us a little about the mix you've done for us? Did you have a plan/process for how you would approach it? Any particular standout tracks you want to mention?
This mix was recorded without a defined structure, but it is based on sounds and acquisitions that I have discovered over this summer. The idea was to start with something very forceful, fresh and deep, and then travel through more electronic and tropical sounds. I would like to highlight the Bob James track, which is pure endless hypnotic jazz-funk. And near the end a french disco song by Bibi Flash, re-edited by Hotaru, a totally anonymous remixer whose work I’m totally in love with.
How's this year been for you?
This year has been terrible for all of us in the cultural sector, especially for those of us who, in addition to DJ's, work as lighting and sound technicians. I kept myself entertained by buying lots of music, cooking, and playing with my beagle. Although I had to cancel some dates that I was looking forward to, 3/4 very interesting events were proposed to me in spectacular locations in my home of Galicia. It was strange and exciting to make people dance in their chairs!
What's the scene usually like in Galicia, outside of the pandemic?
Galicia is a different region than what foreign people expect from Spain. Here everything is forest, it rains almost always although the beaches in summer are wonderful, and we are in a corner of the country, far from cities like Madrid or Barcelona, where there is an important clubbing scene with renowned clubs like Marula or Berlin Cafe. However, the north was always very active in electronic sounds and although some good clubs have already closed before the pandemic, there are some festivals and small bars with a good atmosphere, where they bet on different and minority sounds, and there are also a dozen really very good and veteran DJs whom I collaborate regularly. For years in La Coruña, I have been a resident at La Barbería, the best place to eat and most fun at once in the city.
Have you got any plans coming up for when life returns to normal?
Without a doubt, getting together again under the disco-ball is a dream that gets closer and closer. I miss human contact, it is necessary for everyone. And I have a very large amount of albums to be played live, that I think I will make a 6h non-stop set to celebrate!
Any DJ's/producers you're digging at the moment that you wanna shout out?
There are too many, but there are always references that make me crazy, some legends that I have seen and enjoyed live, such as Ron Trent, Red Greg, Volcov, Ge-ology, Marcellus Pittman, Nick The Record, Raphael Top Secret, Mendel, Dan Shake, Rahaan, Bill Brewster or Patrick Gibin. You always learn a lot from them.
So thank you very much for including me on your podcast series and I hope you enjoy the mix. Hope to see you soon on the dancefloor!
Tracklist:
01. Ethyos 440 - Makhno Dub
02. Kinkina - Jungle Fever (Megamix)
03. Dub Dynasty - Ever Powering Dub
04. Space Garage - Eclipse Version
05. Papertiger & The Cat Cammerorchestra - In The Disko (Spacelex edit)
06. Steve Arrington - You Meet My Approval
07. Blue Feather - After Midnight
08. Will Hofbauer - Work It
09. Bob James - The Steamin' Feelin' (edit)
10. Toto Coelo - Milk From The Coconut (Part One extended version)
11. Chez Damier - Why (Original version)
12. Sascha Dive - Deep In Rhythm
13. Jayda G - Rishikesh
14. Paula Tape - Agua Congas
15. Edits Estrela - Vais-te Apagar (F&R edit)
16. Neue Heimat - Snäk Snäk
17. Dr Gruuf - Lüg Da Net In Sack
18. Reverso 68 - Piece Together
19. Bibi Flash - Histoire D'un Soir (Hotaru Edit)
20. Sam Jam - Dance In Chant