Hollick // Keep Hush x Church Recordings

Of course Hollick opens with Grace Jones. In a field full of predictable drops, this is a statement of intent: we're here for the soul, not the sweat. The Peckham Rye crowd, seasoned enough to appreciate a left turn, settles in for a journey that feels more like a curated mixtape than a festival banger set. Under a canopy with dappled light filtering through, the vibe is intimate despite the scale, a bubble of analog warmth in a digital landscape where Shazam fails and you just have to ask the person next to you. Technically, this is a masterclass in deep house pacing, holding steady around 116 BPM with a harmonic backbone rooted in keys like 7A and 12A.

The energy arc is a subtle, relentless build, a slow burn that prioritizes texture over tension, with low-end frequencies dominating to create a hypnotic, physical pulse. Mixing is seamless and musical, allowing each track's personality to shine through long, luxurious blends that avoid any jarring transitions. The balance is all about the groove, with mid-range melodies weaving in and out over steadfast basslines, and the high-end kept minimal to maintain that earthy, organic feel. For the crate diggers, highlights are plentiful and deeply satisfying. Jimi Bazzouka's 'So So Ye' is a percussive delight that makes you wonder how you've never heard it before, while Francis Bebey's 'Forest Nativity' gets a mystical, dancefloor-ready overhaul from Red Axes.

Larry Heard's 'Missing You (Jazz Cafe Mix)' is a timeless deep house prayer, and Bruce Bailey's 'Speaker Box (Deeper Detroit Mix)' injects pure Motor City pressure. Then there's Surface's blissful 'Falling in Love', Philly Vanilli's groovy 'Justify', and the genius repurposing of Freddie Hubbard's 'Little Sunflower'. The journey begins with the iconic, slow-burning 'Feel Up' by Grace Jones, builds through the extended, sun-drenched bliss of Key Tronics Ensamble's 'Calypso Of House', and lands gently with that enchanting, forest-born Red Axes edit. A set that proves festival slots can be for discovery, not just destruction.