Spinner RPM: Joakim

Posted on Oct 27th 2009 3:00PM by Scott Tomford
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It's a common practice for DJs these days to stick to a single genre label -- house, disco, minimal, techno, balearic -- but if there's one DJ that truly can't be pigeonholed, it's Joakim. With his roots originally in the rock scene, the French DJ and producer has jumped from genre to genre on each of his records. His latest album, 'Milky Ways,' is another album filled with musical curveballs that are bound to keep you guessing, yet it still might come off as his most cohesive record.

So where did Joakim's latest grab bag combination of psychedelia, disco and classic rock come from, exactly? The producer comes pretty close to answering that question on his new 'Milky Mix,' which features everything from Red Dragon's Italo Disco gem 'Let Me Be Your Radio Part 1' to 'Helter Skelter' by the Beatles. While the disparity of sounds is what will grab your attention, the most admirable thing about Joakim's new mix might be the patience he gives to let it breathe.

While many DJs can be too eager to impress, Joakim works hard to create an atmosphere and give his mixes a proper buildup. "I always wonder what goes on in the mind of DJs playing 'peak time' music as a warm-up," he says. "DJing is all about time and space. Too many DJs are absolutely not aware of that and that's depressing to hear in clubs. It makes me think music is like tap water ... tap sound."

To get a taste of sounds that are anything but "tap," be sure to check out Joakim's new 'Milky Mix' which you can hear exclusively on Spinner.

Setlist
O.M.D., 'Electricity' (Micronauts remix)
E.A.R., 'Submarine'
Dragons of Zynth, 'Anna Mae'
John Foxx, 'Metal Beat'
Joakim, 'Fly Like An Apple'
James Pants, 'Rhythm Track 9'
Pom Pom, 'Untitled'
Soft Rocks, 'Black Magic'
Vanessa Paradis, 'Des Que J'te vois' (Joakim Unreleased Remix)
Red Dragon Band, 'Let Me Be Your Radio Part 1'
The Rolling Stones, 'Undercover Of the Night'
SPK, 'Dance Du Metal' (I:Cube Edit)
Joakim, 'Watermelon Bubblicious'
Sweet Exorcist, 'Mad Jack'
Yura Yura Teikoky, 'Hollow Me' (Alternate Version)
DJ Deeon, 'Exctacy'
The Beatles, Helter Skelter' (Demo)
Goslings, 'Croatan'
Acid Mothers Temple, 'Electric Love Machine'
Dennis Wilson, 'Farewell My Friend'

Download Joakim Songs