BOOKA SHADE
DJ-Kicks

Arno Kammermeier and Walter Merziger aren’t DJs. They insist on making that clear. They’re Booka Shade. They’re one of Germany’s most famous dance music exports of today and besides part of the Get Physical executive suite. Now they’ve done their first DJ-mix ever. Since the DJ-Kicks series isn’t strictly for DJs but rather for electronic music artists to offer something individual and personal: a mix of favourites, influences and curios. The right thing for Booka Shade. The duo put the listener into a constant flow of contemporary Trance or Synth-Pop, however described. At times somewhat sentimental but that’s the mainstream side of the mix and Booka Shade aren’t really far from popular dance music. The playlist offers two own productions: ‘Estoril’ as well as the exclusivley for the series crafted Dance-Pop tune ‘Numbers’ which has got some potential to hit the charts. Inbetween 80ies classics such as Yazoo’s ‘Situation’ or Heaven 17 with ‘Geisha Boys and Temple Girls’, John Carpenter’s eerie Synths or Brigitte Bardot’s nonchalant singing in ‘Contact’. Towards the end some dreamy, sometimes melancholic melodies as in ‘It’s Too Late’ by The Streets. But there’s never the slightest feeling of desperation or moodiness. Rather easy-going and kind of shrugging as in Matthew Dear’s ‘Tide’ followed by ‘Don & Sherri’ in a Hot Chip remix. Richard Hawley finally brings the conclusion with Piano and Ambient in ‘Last Order’ and Booka Shade announce their last call – before everything ends or maybe restarts?! – Highlights: Aphex Twin ‘Alberto Balsam’, Carl Craig ‘Landcruising’, Nôze ‘Slum Girl’.