Coco Bryce: The ‘Ransom Note’ Mix

Music

When we talk about contemporary jungle and hardcore, it’s likely Coco Bryce‘s name will pop up.

Yes, he might be a fresher name on the scene but the Breda-based producer, real name Yoël Bego, first cut his teeth over two decades ago around his home town in the Southern area of The Netherlands.

After buying his first pair of turntables back in ’95 and learning to mix, he began playing Breakbeat and gabber parties before turning his attention to production in the late 90s.

His debut vinyl release came out in the millennium but it wasn’t until around 2009 that he put his foot on the gas and started churning out stellar release after stellar release. Now boasting over 100 albums and EPs in his discography, Coco Bryce shows absolutely no signs of slowing down anytime soon.

His releases have come via the likes Lobster Theremin, Critical Music, Rupture and Fresh 86, to name but a few, as well as his growing empire of labels, MYOR, MYOR Massiv, Faces Of Bass, Ill Behaviour and Diamond Life.

Next up he’s joining forces with Breaka for a split EP on TWLVZ, the sister label of Dr Dubplate’s ec2a imprint, which will land on 23rd September. In celebration of the release, titled Want U, we got Yoël on board for our flagship mix series. Featuring a ton off his own music, including a few unreleased nuggets, and tracks from friends and contemporaries, the mix is pacey and high-octane but laced with dreamy, melodic atmospheres from start to finish…

Ransom Note · Coco Bryce: The 'Ransom Note' Mix

Please introduce yourself… Who are you, where are you and what are you

I’m Yoël, currently residing in Breda, the Netherlands. I’m a skateboarder who produces and plays electronic music, mostly jungle and hardcore.

What does your music sound like? Can you draw what you think it sounds like for us (an image from the old internet is acceptable)?

It sounds like a slightly smaller than average non-pedigree dog having a plate of rice with veggies and tofu… I couldn’t find the old internet nor draw what I had in mind what it should look like exactly, so you’re gonna have to use your imagination on this one..

Where was the mix recorded?

In my living room slash studio in Breda

What would be the ideal setting to listen to the mix?

On a 10kW rig in a field at 3am

What should we be wearing?

Corduroy trousers and lots of gold jewellery

What would be your dream setting to record a mix: Location/system/format?

On a 10kW rig in a field at 3am

Which track in the mix is your current favourite?

Oceantied – U R (the last track of the mix)

What’s your favourite recorded mix of all time?

It’s not really a mix, more of a recording of a live performance, but it would be this set Elsa Hewitt did at AAJA in Deptford a couple years ago

https://m.soundcloud.com/aajaradio/slow-dance-radio-elsa-hewitt-live-30119

If you could go back to back with any DJ from throughout history, who would it be and why?

DJ Massive, because he’s one of my main inspirations and sadly no longer with us

What was your first DJ set up at home and what is it now?

Two belt drive turntables (can’t exactly remember the make anymore) and an Alecto mixer without EQ..

Right now it’s an Ecler NUO 2.0 mixer, one Technics SL 1210, one Synq Xtrem and two Pioneer XDJ 700’s

What’s more important, the track you start on or the track you end on?

The one you end with.. if the first one doesn’t go down too well, there’s still plenty opportunities to switch things up.. the end is the end tho.. can’t redo that.. though saying this, I do always plan which tune I’ll start my set with, but never know what’ll be the ender.. all depends on the vibe..

What were the first and last records you bought?

-I’m not 100% sure, but I think the first was a 7” of Bomb The Bass – Don’t Make Me Wait, back in 1988 or 1989

The last one was Tom & Jerry – The One Reason

If this mix was an edible thing, what would it taste like?

An Indonesian rice dish with veggies and tofu, nice and spicy

If it was an animal what would it be?

A slightly smaller than average non-pedigree dog

One record in your collection that is impossible to mix into anything?

Nothing is impossible to mix, unless beatmatching is your sole objective, in which case you should perhaps stop trying to be a DJ anyways

Upcoming in the world of …

I’ve a couple releases lined up, including an album on my own label Myor, some bits for Rupture and Fresh 86, plus a few remixes I’m really keen to share but can’t yet… one of them should be out by the time this is published though.

Anything else we need to discuss?

Dr. Dubplate’s love of Arc’terix clobber perhaps?