TuneLab
Jess Ajose
Keep Hush Live: Foundation FM
Sometimes you need a set that feels like rifling through a perfectly curated record bag at 3 AM, where Kaytranada sits next to N.E.R.D without apology. Jess Ajose’s Foundation FM session for Keep Hush Live is that elusive, vibe-first mix. The atmosphere is intimate and warm, all low lighting and head-nods, a sanctuary from the drop-chasing outside. Technically, it’s a lesson in smooth, harmonic mixing.
Holding a steady deep house tempo around 129 BPM, the set is rooted in the sunny, major key of 12A (used five times), with shifts to 5A and 7A adding subtle emotional colour. The energy is overwhelmingly low-end focused (avg 0.66), creating a thick, syrupy bass foundation that makes every syncopated groove feel like a hug. The crate digging here is impeccable. Opening with KAYTRANADA’s 'Need It' sets a flawless soulful house tone.
The inclusion of N.E.R.D’s 'Laugh About It' is a genius flip, while ROSALÍA’s 'A Palé' closes things with percussive, flamenco-fired energy. The real surprises are the curveballs: Prezioso’s classic 'Emergency 911' club mix for a shot of pure, cheesy euphoria, and DJ LEYO’s 'I Feel the First Drops of Rain' for a moment of deep, ambient introspection. It’s a selection that prizes feeling over flash. The journey flows effortlessly from the slick opener 'Need It', builds through hip-hop hybrids like JACKBOYS’ 'GANG GANG', and lands gently on the percussive finale of 'A Palé'.