TuneLab
Mr Scruff
Boiler Room x Dekmantel Festival 2018
Only Mr Scruff could make a Dekmantel Festival crowd lose their minds to an obscure, 10-minute synth doodle. This Boiler Room set is a beautiful reminder that true dancefloor connection often comes from left-field funk and soul, not just four-to-the-floor kicks. The open-air vibe is sunny and inclusive, perfect for the Manchester selector's famously eclectic digs. Technically, it's a lesson in groove management at a lower BPM (avg 108.9), using the harmonic stability of the 12A and 7A keys to weave together disparate sounds.
The energy balance is fascinatingly mid-heavy (avg 0.3705), prioritizing melodic and rhythmic intricacy over sheer power. His mixing is patient and musical, often letting tracks breathe to showcase their unique character. The crate digging is, as ever, impeccable: Newcleus's 'Automan' is a quintessential electro-funk gem, while Projection's 'Luvstruck' offers smooth, soulful house. Dr.
Jeckyll & Mr. Hyde's 'Fast Life (Instrumental)' is a hip-hop head's dream, and Cymande's 'For Baby Ooh' is spiritual jazz-funk of the highest order. The war cry of War's 'War Is Coming! War Is Coming!' is a perfectly Scruffian curveball. He opens with the undeniable groove of Sweat Band's 'Freak to Freak', takes a deep dive into the psychedelic with Plus Instruments' 'Bodies', and sends everyone home smiling with the powerful vocals of Trouble Funk's 'Woman Of Principle'.