JNR (Just-Not-Right) is one half of DJ collective Matteblacc. He regards the privilege of being a Zouk resident as career defining, and has shared the stage with the likes of Dennis Ferrer, Seth Troxler, Dubfire, Midnight Juggernauts and Lindstrom at Zouk’s 10th Anniversary ZoukOut (2010) Festival. Here he unveils his musical treasures.
What are some great surefire tracks to get them dancing? “I play all across the board depending on the venue and the direction of the night, so there are so many tracks to choose from. Oddly, reggae/dancehall or funk gets people moving almost instantly. I think it’s because people don’t need liquid courage to feel its infectious grooves. And there is no right or wrong way on how to dance to it.”
Dave Gerrard > Rip Up The Funk. “This funk edit does the trick.”
T.O.K. > Money 2 Burn. “Or this: a feel-good dancehall reggae track.”
Dirty Doering Sascha Cawa – Zacapa (Original Mix). “On the house tip, I like to keep things deep so this is a great dancefloor warmer.”
Hercules & Love Affair > Do You Feel The Same (Purple Disco Machine Remix). “But sometimes an uplifting nu disco vocal is in order to get the booties swinging.”
Which song deserves more love than people give? “Keyshia Cole ft Iggy Azalea > I’m Coming Out, because in hip hop, Iggy Azalea has been receiving harsh criticism from other industry stalwarts. So if I’m playing to an ‘in the know’ audience and I drop this track, people tend to grimace a little, because Iggy kicks off this track with a verse. Some people don’t give it a chance, but when Keyshia Cole’s verses of this song kicks in – it wins people over.”
Which DJs are you digging at the moment? “Shortkut is always at the top of my list. He just knows how to get a party going without going pop, and his turntablist skills allow him to go anywhere across the spectrum.”
“Art Department willl be here for Future Music Festival in March so don’t miss them. These guys are from my home town and their take on house is very similar to mine: deep, dark and sexy.”
“Cajmere has a strong influence on my sound and I love to catch his sets. I always work a bit of his acid-laced Chicago vibes in to my house sound.”
What’s a great house (home) party track? “Number One by Tuxedo. Once you hear it, you’ll know why. It’s a more sincere take on Snoop’s Aint No Fun (If The Homies Can’t Have None).”
What’s your most recent buy? “Imagine you are in a pop-up warehouse party, sound system is phat, and you’re locked in to my groove in a rhythmic work out. Once I drop this Joeski track, it’ll take you to the next level the moment that rapture vox drops.”
Which classic never gets old? “Gwen McCrae’s All This Love That I’m Giving. It can even make a cheesy EDM song sound cool.”
What’d you play at a wedding party that you usually don’t? “Whitney Houston’s Love Will Save The Day (Morales/Jellybean Classic House Mix).”
What’s the perfect end-of-night song? “If it’s an urban vibe I’m DJing at, it’s usually something a bit lewd and kind of rude, but if I’m trying to keep it light, it will be something like these.”
Drake ft Majid Jordan > Hold On, We Are Going Home
DJ JNR has remixes of 0$P$ ft Vandetta – Chin Swee Sunset available for purchase at Beatport and a new release coming out on February 14 so watch this space. And as Matteblacc, they hold it down at: The Henderson Project February 13, Singjazz March 5-8, and have regular slots at W Hotel’s WooBar and House of Dandy. Follow him at Jnr Tirso and Matteblacc.
