We may be deep into club szn, but that doesn’t mean its too early to fantasize about summers in the park? right?
GALA Festival gave a sneak preview of its 2020 program last week, with the festival now taking place across two days (!!) on Saturday 23rd and Sunday 24th May. Returning to Peckham Rye will be Rhythm Section boss Bradley Zero, Job Jobse (hosting his very own Strangelove stage), Horse Meat Disco and Gerd Janson.
Last year’s offering not only saw performances from the likes of Honey Dijon, Young Marco and Crazy P, but also workshops with Worldwide FM and a record fair hosted by Rye Wax and YAM Records.
YAM is a familiar digging source for South London’s independent music fans, specializing in both new releases (including, since 2017, artists on their own label) and second-hand vinyl.
We got Theo and Tom and some of the other guys over at YAM to compile their GALA obsessions – a mix of current and classic, to give a little taste of South London summer:
Theo’s picks:
Sax – Don’t Turn Your Back On Me (Funny Bone Popi)
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2xsdhtXUktc]
Simple, raw, playful house music from ’89 with that analogue DIY aesthetic. The melody is a naughty whimsical stroke of genius – top buzz!
Ponzu Island – Super Koto
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SQUZWdwdd_c]
The EP is a beautiful mix between disco, house and the Balearic sound with a huge chunk of vintage computer game nostalgia thrown in. Came out in 2016 and still a firm favourite to put in the record bag! Modern classic IMO.
Tom’s picks:
Michel Cleis – La Mezcla
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Y7D8eUrjMc]
I heard this record at The End about 11 years ago – I got a dodgy picture of an orange label with an incomplete catalogue number stamped on it from the DJ and it took me another 2 years to track it down. Fast forward to 2019 and it still hasn’t left my bag. Huge intro for a nice long mix, great percussion throughout and an amazing pay off when the vocals come in. The A-side is dope too!
Masters at Work feat. Xaviera Gold – Gonna Get Back To You
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pW0ldGTiSoM]
Stone cold gospel house. Guaranteed hands in the air. It’s a tough one to follow so usually ends up being the last track of the night, and what a way to end. You can still get a copy for under a tenner too!
YAM favourite:
Dead or Alive – You Spin Me Round (Like a Record) (Buzzing Bees Mix)
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4f3q8D4MiiA]
There’s an incredible import bootie knocking about of this impossible to find cut that frequently makes an appearance in our sets. Unites the dance floor every time.
GALA tickets are on pre-sale now, full line-up expected in February for more info head to thisisgala.co.uk