On Deck: Jay Simon

I was first introduced to Jay Simon by way of this nasty Faith edit Kyle Hall played at our Discovery party’s two-year anniversary. I fell in love with his all-over-the-place mixes, and we started talking on the internet. A few years later, we brought Jay out from DC, and in between the residents and Mike Huckaby, he delivered one of the best soulful sets I’ve heard.

Now based in Atlanta, Jay’s the epitome of the DJ greats that you can’t put into any one bucket, with a very particular selection across all musical styles. (I’ve learned more about obscure rock from his Facebook than I’d ever expect.) I tried to talk up garage with him and he said, “nah” and turned me on to the early Brett Dancer—repeat to infinitum. We just had him with Norm Talley and he beautifully reset a confused dance floor (we were playing all over the place and a bit too hard for midnight), got everyone stepping, and set it up perfectly for Norm.

Jay has since gone on to launch Must Have Records imprint, which brought us Seven Davis Jr. and the (sadly limited) Saine jam “Drifter.” His particularity is also why the label is just now pressing its next few, two years after his last release. Next up is a young producer from Boston named Renato P with a six-track EP, and afterwards, a double 12″ from Angelinos Teflon Dons. I’ve never heard of either artists and the releases are most likely fire, which is why I asked Jay to make us a mix. He takes us through boogie, grown and sexy stepping (including a new Jade edit of his), and into swingy house and whatnot. (Atlanta heads: be on the lookout for a new party with Stefan Ringer called Open.)

Tracklist:

1. Norman Cook & Billy Bragg – Won’t Talk About It [Go! Discs]
2. Jaymz Bedford – Happy Music [Gold Mink]
3. ???
4. ???
5. Jade – Don’t Walk Away (Jay Simon Edit) [Must Have]
6. T-Coy – Regret [Deconstruction]
7. Andres – Last Call for Alcohol [Mahogani]
8. Kurt Harmon Project – Comin’ Back [Prescription]
9. Renato P – Fireworks [Must Have]
10. ???
11. Lil’ Louis – How I Feel [Dance Mania]
12. Oasis – 13 1/2 (Fabrik Mix) [FXHE]
13. Glenn Underground – ???
14. Black Rascals – Keeping My Mind [Sumo]
15. Members of the House – ???

Jay Simon’s food and music ramblings on Twitter

Jay Simon on SoundCloud

Strictly business with the label

Joel is the publisher of THUMP. Find him on Twitter