SoulPhiction: The Ransom Note Mix

So, here we are… Kicking off the new year with a mix from perhaps one of the most important German producers and DJ's of the last twenty years. Soulphiction has been a stalwart of electronic music having released definitive material on the likes of Perlon, Pampa and Playhouse amongst others. He is also the co-founder of Philpot, a record label which he launched in the year 2000 alongside his friend Blacktrane. 

Michel Baumann grew up in a time by which the dj was king and crate digging was essential, as such he has always drawn upon influences from the golden age of boogie, hip hop, soul and funk. Much of his own music draws upon a deep rooted love and respect for that which came before, it's partly why his own resulting take on deep house is as special and unique as it is. 

Last year saw perhaps the best representation of his own musical identity through the release of a new album, a three part LP for Local Talk, which allowed him to showcase the breadth of his own progression through sound. 

Not one to often record mixes, we are delighted and humbled to be able to feature a mix from a much loved talent. 

Listen and read the interview below:

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



I'm the guy behind these beats that make people forget their problems and have a good time…



Where was the mix recorded?



In my crib with some CDJs and two Technics 1200s, a couple of friends and some beverages..

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

While working heavy machinery, having sex or on the way to the club..



What should we be wearing?



Whatever makes you feel good

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



My cellar on Quadral or Apogee speakers which are more hi-fi than club .. All formats except for MP3’s or mobile phones, as a proper quality of sound is very important. Or simply recording somewhere like Heideglühen club in Berlin.



Which track in the mix is your current favourite?



That’s a hard one as I like them all… some old, some new, but they’re all favourites. But there is a Theo track is in there which I’ve been loving for quite some time as one of the standouts cuts from 2019.



What’s your favourite recorded mix of all time?



I love mixtapes still, so I might pick one of these DJ Premier/Kid Capri mixtapes from the 90s… there are also some mixes by Larry Levan that really made me dig.



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



Back to back is a delicate situation, but I'd go with Kenny Dope or Zip :)



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



Two belt driven dual players in the 80s, since the 90s it's been Technics 1200s. I started DJing in 1983/84 with a peavey mixer incl. machine gun fx… Vestax PMC 27mkII is my all-time favourite mixer, but for this mix I also used two Pioneer XDJs that I’ve borrowed off a friend.



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



In the club it’s the first track to set up things… If that works, almost anything can be played at the end. In a mix or podcast I like intros and clever programming, so often do changes in tempo that make for good dynamics.



What were the first and last records you bought?



First, I honestly can't remember, something like a fairy-tale or maybe the Boney M. album Nightflight to Venus…
the last was “The Return” by Sampa.



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



Chocolate and cherries 🙂



If it was an animal what would it be?


Morphing like an Octopus lol



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



Everything can be mixed, beat matching is secondary… if something truly is impossible to mix, then it’s also going to be undanceable, so I just wouldn’t play it. A lot of these mid 70s Funk /Disco Records go mad on the Tempo, because they weren’t recorded to a click track or have any sequenced elements… but that's just makes them more exciting to play! 



Upcoming in the world of…



There's actually a 12 inch vinyl VA I’m a part of that’s being released by the guys from the Heideglühen club, plus there will be another Soulphiction 12" on Local Talk following my recent album, and then some Remixes for JT Donaldson and Session Victim coming soon after that. My album “24/7 Love Affair” is out now via Local Talk, and along with the full digital version there is also a three-part vinyl release that I’ve been really excited about. I’ve put some links below for people who want to check it out…

Part 1 of the LP HERE, Part 2 HERE, Part 3 HERE.