shine a light on... Kocmoc Collective mix

Music

The Greek KOCMOC Collective run a website that serves as a thrilling, seditious portal to a world of underground music, sound, art and thought. Conceived and curated from Thessaloniki and London since 2012, Kocmoc publish news, reviews, and features on every single style of music in existence. They also like photography, graphic design, films, politics and satire- in fact we're tempted to say that they're a Greek version of Ransom Note, only with nicer design, less pictures of cats and (probably) more of a clue.

For our Shine A Light On mixtape, young KOCMOC member R-SR takes us on a deep journey through African psych, funk and soul rarities, turning in one of the finest mixtapes we've heard for a long time – there's little you'll know, and no tracks there for the sake of hype, just pure, heady tunes. Press play and read more below…

Who are you?

My name is Ioannis Koukótzilas aka R-SR.

Where are you?

I live in Thessaloniki, Greece although I was born and raised in Chalkidiki, Greece.

What are you?

A music lover and a DJ. Also, I'm running Kocmoc Collective along with my partners.

Where was the mix recorded?

In my home studio.

What was your inspiration for this mix? Was there a particular vibe you were aiming to capture?

My last trip to the island of Zante. I had the chance to see wonderful places and spin some records in a "tropical" house inside a forest with the company of lovely people.

There are some brilliant African sounds in here, which African artists most inspire you?

Just to name a few, Guelewar Band Of Banjul, Super Rail Band Of The Buffet Hotel Del La Gare De Bamako, Mali, Dief Dieul de Thies and T.P. Orchestre Poly-Rythmo.

Which track in the mix is your favourite? It takes some wonderful different twists and turns along the way, are there any transitions that you're particularly proud of?

This is a really difficult question. Every single track is important due to its own reasons. The selection contains tracks from different periods and countries of Africa. From the Golden Age of the 1970s in West Africa, through some more psychedelic forms originating from Benin and Ghana to tracks recorded during the Independence of Congo in the 1960s.

It sounds as though you know a thing or two about Jazz as well. For you, what makes Jazz so brilliant?

Jazz is brilliant. Unfortunately, I am not a musician to provide a technical answer.

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

At a beach during the sunset with good friends from all over the world.

What’s your favourite recorded mix of all time?

A number of mixes are special to me, but Chee Shimizu's 'In the night of after a full moon' mix for Kocmoc Collective is my favourite one. It is a magical, unique trip – Thank you Chee.

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

I have no answer for this one, sorry.

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

From day 1 up to now, my DJ set up consists of two Technichs MK2 and a really simple mixer.

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

I believe that the opening track is very important because it sets the tone. However, I love the ending track because it determines the listener's final impressions, feelings and thoughts. In this case, the final track belongs to the treasure trove of Phono Ngoma, the first Congolese record company, which was founded by Greek Nico Jeronimidis in 1948 and was managed by his brother Alexandro Jeronimidis after Nico's death.

What were the first and last records you bought?

I don't really remember which is the first record I ever purchased, but the last one I got is the amazing reissue of Leong Lau's ''That Rongeng Sound'' on Left ear records.