Mike Dunn – The ‘Classic Chicago House’ Ransom Note Mix

Mike Dunn knows the sound of Chicago so well that he could probably walk around the city and tell you exactly how far away a bird is or when the next bus is due. His deft touch behind the decks is so sublime that he's been getting heads nodding for decades now. With the next stop on his agenda set to be Sub Club this Saturday, we asked Mike to compile a mix of classic Chicago House sounds and he well and truly delivered – this is a dig into deeper anthems that still slap 30 years on.

The heads will be familiar with a lot on offer here- Robert Owens beseeching you to 'bring down the walls', Daryl Pandy popping in to scream down a seriously jacking take of Love Can't Turn Around, the breathy camp of Knight Action's Single Girl… But this familiarity makes the mixtapes freshness and life all the more remarkable; basically, this shit never gets old. It might even be the best mix we've had all year – time to decide for yourself…

Where was the mix recorded?

My studio aka The Dunngeon.

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

Anywhere that makes you happy.

What should we be wearing?

Nothing (lol). Something you can dance all night in.

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

I make the best out of any situation. I'm not a DJ DIVA!

Which track in the mix is your current favourite?

All of them are close to my heart… They're classics!

What were the first and last records you bought?

Michael Jackson (Forever, Michael LP) – Can't Remember (Something Rare For Sure)

What’s your favourite recorded mix of all time?

If you can answer that, you haven't been spinning very long. Way too many to narrow down to just one.

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

Frankie, because I miss him so much.

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

One Turntable (Technics SLB-100), a Tape Deck & a Gemini Mixer – Now: Two Turntables Technics SL1200, Pioneer DJM800 (Rotary) & Pioneer CDJs.

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

Both.

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

FIYAH BABY!

If it was an animal what would it be?

GORILLA!

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

There's nothing really impossible to mix these days when you have Ableton Live (Warping).

Upcoming in the world of Mike Dunn?

More traveling and more music coming!

Anything else we need to discuss?

Special thanks to Mark Potts (More/About/Music) for taking care of me and my business like a Champ!

See Mike Dunn at Sub Club this Saturday.
Mix orignally posted for Feelings Day & Night Birthday Party at Shapes Sat 11th July 2015.