Influences: The Nextmen

Music

Since the late nineties The Nextmen have been a duo pioneering the true essence of crate digging, beat making and party rocking. Their taste is eclectic, diverse and well studied: their personalities engaging and excitable in the booth. The music they play transcends genre and you never quite know what your going to get from one of their sets. True champions of the British underground they have played an important role in the UK hip hop scene for many years having produced beats for the likes of Rodney P, Braintax and Dynamite MC. We caught up with the duo ahead of their four hour set at The Book Club on the 2nd of April to talk influences. Here are their selections.

Tickets for the party at The Book Club can be found HERE.

LISTEN

Kwabs - Wrong Or Right

So sick. The song’s a beaut and Sohn’s production fits perfectly. Moody and uplifting all at the same time. It’s synth heaven and the drop into more space in the chorus is masterly.

Kwabs - Wrong Or Right

So sick. The song’s a beaut and Sohn’s production fits perfectly. Moody and uplifting all at the same time. It’s synth heaven and the drop into more space in the chorus is masterly.
Photek - Ni-Ten-Ichi-Ryu (Two Swords Technique)

One of the very best Drum & Bass tracks of all time with drum programming that has never been bettered. Photek’s drums are pretty a genre of their own. When this came out it didn’t leave the turntable for about a week. We live in hope that he’ll make another D&B album one day but we’re not holding our breath.
Basement Jaxx - Jump N Shout Feat. Slarta John

Their style is so distinctive: all groove, vibrancy and effects. This track is them at their absolute best, you just know they were bouncing around the studio when they made it. Rowdy ragga house aimed squarely at the dance floor. We love playing this out to kids that weren’t there the first time around.
Redman - Da Goodness

This 1998 belter remains in the box. Redman’s MO, occupying the rhythm in a unique but easy way, kills it here for both the club and for headphone head-nodding alike. And that beat… Fire.
Danny Brown - Grown Up

Old school and firing fresh at the same time. His flow is ridiculous and reminiscent of the greats, but he brings crazy youthful energy to it. Modern era boom bap done so well.
Donna Allen - Serious

Most people know the hook from Strike’s dodgy Euro house track ‘U sure do’, but the original is a gem. This works so well on a big system with its mid-eighties energy and crashing snares. The video is nuts. Surely it gets a place in the all-time One Hit Wonder top ten.
Ralph Falcon Ft Dorothy Mann - That Sound

From 1994, but it’s vibe isn’t far away from what some house producers are doing now. There’s some kind of sci-fi oddness going on but it’s just so hypnotic in that early Miami Soul Records style. It somehow never gets boring. 4 am vibes all the way.
Epmd - So Whatcha Sayin'

Dom’s favourite Hip Hop beat of all time. Everything – the moaning bass line, effortless vocals, low slung drums and haunting chorus – comes together to make a straight up Hip Hop classic. The video kind of sums it up. A party in a sewer in 1989.