Rhythm&Soul is one of the leading lights on the European house scene. While German labels aim for a tripper, dreamier, yet more linear sound, Madrid’s Joaquin Diaz and other artists from Spain and France aim for something groovier. Swinging house beats and deep, atmospheric chords are the order of the day. This aesthetic is exhibited his two vinyl only labels: Slow Town Records and On A Mission Records, run alongside Jef K, who is also his production partner in The Groove Brothers.
Joaquin continues to make high profile releases and play banging DJ sets all over the world. We spoke to him ahead of his visit to Wire.
Name: Joaquin Diaz
DJ/Producer name: Rhythm&Soul
Hometown: Madrid, Spain
First record ever bought?
I think the first record (Vinyl) I bought was Joey Beltram’s “JB3 – Forklift (the remixes)” on Mute records. It features a couple of remixes from Luke Slater and Damon Wild of this Joey Beltram classic track. I don’t remember if it was the first one but for sure one of the first records I bought. I bought it in Brussels where I grew up at BPM record store (where Fuse residents use to work) It was at the end of the 90’s, we were teenagers and we were listening to a lot of Techno, jacking House and electro back then.
Best floorfiller?
Tough one! One floorfiller record that never leaves my bag since I bought it is (djebali) reworks 4. Both reworks from Mandar and Tuccillo are dance floor bombs!! Djebali is doing an amazing work on his imprint. All the releases are good weapons for your records bag. This particular release is wicked and it definitely twist any crowd in a club. I’m very happy to be onboard this great label.
Best crate dig?
There few a ones. But I’ll say that the day i found “Crack Down” by Psyche (Carl Craig) on Trans- mat records (Transmat MS12, 1990) in a second hand record store in London like 8 years ago, it was one of the happiest days in my record colector life. I was looking for this records like 10 years and at that time I wasn’t into Discogs yet. “From beyond” was one of the tracks that made me get into electronic music as a teenager. I use to listen to it like a loop, from a cassette i recorded with tracks from him. After an afternoon digging through London shops I found the record in almost mint condition. I can spend hours/days digging in second hand record stores and when you find a record your looking for so long it’s pure happiness!
Sleaziest record?
I think one of the sleaziest records I ever bought is “Dj Deeon – Deeon Doez Deeon” on Numbers. I bought it couple of years ago at Subwax Bcn record store. It’s a dirty chicago house EP. Raw beats and some dirty baselines, chords and vocals. It’s kind of sleazy House music I guess.
Most nostalgic record?
Another tough one too! There quite a few as listening to some records takes you back to great memories and good times. I would say one of the most nostalgic records for me is “Leaving EP” by Laid on Fiji recordings (Fiji013). I was 18 I guess, last High School year and I was discovering electronic music through different styles but already getting more and more into House music and 4×4 beats.
The track “Punch Up” is a flashback for me to a period were I started to buy records often, just got my first turntables and mixer, went to clubs almost every weekend with my friends in Brussels… Timeless groove. I still playing it!!
Most valuable record?
I have some quite expensive records. But the most valuable that combines both monetary and sentimental is “Main Course EP” by Formule Express on Adult Only (AO019). It’s produced by Chris Carrier and Jef K together with G. La Tortue. Chris Carrier gave it to me the first time I was in his studio in Paris with Jef K who introduce me to him during the years I lived in Paris. Both are now good friends and we work together quite often. The record is amazing and so forward thinking to me for a 2002 release. So it has a big sentimental weight for me as there are overall both two of my biggest influence and some of the most respected artists of the French underground music scene.
Weirdest record?
One of the weirdest records I own is LP1 from Markant (Cat M-25 LP1). I use to listen to a lot of Markant stuff through some cassettes that had a friend of my class during my last High School years. Then later I bought few of Markant records. His music is outstanding. Weird but melodic, raw, up and down tempo, dark but happy and always hypnotic. He for sure one of his kind as an artist. Those ones that you can’t find almost any info through internet or listen to his music except if you know it somehow, always out of the spots. His records are noisy and weird but always beauti- ful and full of deepness.
Last record you bought?
One of the latest record I bought earlier this month was the great “Circles EP” by 100Hz on Bosconi records (Bosco032). The A side track is amazing I love this cocktail of Minimal housy grooves and weird and hypnotic vibes. Bosconi is great imprint that put out always really interest- ing music. Great release to drive the crowd through some trippy mood…
Oliver Walkden