Favorite album of the moment: The modern sound of Harry Beckett

When I heard the composition “Something Special” on Mark Coles, “World of Music” on BBC World Service radio, I was mesmerized. Forgot what I was doing…sat in my chair transfixed. That’s musical magic I don’t come across too often. The key players are Harry Beckett, a legendary trumpet player who only just passed away a few months ago and the British reggae & dub producer Adrian Sherwood. Together they’ve created a sound that seems like a cross between Miles Davis “Kind of Blue” & “Bitches Brew.” Warm, melancholic, quite trippy and timeless. The atmosphere is hypnotic and meditative. But then the music also includes some edgy deep bass grooves which have great depth when played over proper speakers.. The only track to skip is “Ultimate Tribute” which has a "not so good" vocal performance that spoils the enchantment. When played at the right time in a set, tracks like “Fantastic Things” definitely work on the dancefloor. Highly reccomended!

Puttin' on the Ritz!

Finally I have managed to get the right ingredients together for a night I've had in mind for a while! Those ingredients are: a nice funky warm place for dancing, another DJ with equal enthusiasm for dancefloor jazz and off course.. lots of new exciting music! I'll be playing the hottest Electro Swing tracks out there and Ome Steef will be foccusing on the old school sound, with the best Big Band Jump, Dixie, Latin Jazz & beyond. I too look forward to some classic sounds.. One of my heroes Louis Jordan, will definitely be in the mix with his infectious boogie woogie!

Book Launch, Coffee & Cookies..

Music & coffee two of my greatest loves in this life.

This funky book launch at the Coffee Company in Amsterdam brings the two of them together!

There will be a philosophical book, colorfully illustrated. Delicious cookies, loads of coffee, relaxing & chatting. Socrates will provide the soundtrack for this relaxed Sunday afternoon with music inspired by San Francisco and John Altman, a hippie dude who gave away his delicious homemade cookies on Baker Beach.

Expect old school Funk, laid-back Rock, Rhythm & Blues, Surf Pop, Afro-Cuban grooves, Studio One Reggae & Retro Jazz vibes with a touch of electronica. Come, chill out & bring a friend!

New World Music dance night in Amsterdam!

The stylish Tropentheater venue in Amsterdam has a new dance night! “Dansen in Marmer” will be an opportunity to dance to many different musical styles from all over the world blended together in dynamic DJ sets by some of the best world music DJ’s around in the Netherlands.
Socrates will make his contribution on the 13th of November with an exciting trip which will include Nu Cumbia, Electro Swing, Bhangra, Global Reggae, Afro Beat & Folktronica.
It will be a stylish event, with cocktails & good food in a marble hall. But don’t be fooled by the fancy stuff, the irresistable grooves will tear down all boundaries and the night will head for cheerful mayhem! Join the party!

Brawny Brew

Just uploaded a new DJ set. Specially blended to further enhance the joyful experience of drinking coffee! So pour yourself a cup, sit back relax and let the music take you away! Brawny Brew by djsocrates

Official Socrates website online!

www.djsocrates.com is almost finished. It's already online under construction. It will be simple but tasty..

I will regularly update the website with fresh DJ sets. I will tell you about concerts & festivals that I look forward to and new releases of spicy music that excite me! It will also be the best place to check for an up to date agenda of my gigs. Have a look and feel free to comment. Cheers!

Freedom 5

Freedom 5

mixed a short but explosive set @ Liberation Day, including El Che, Caravan Palace & Martyn Bennett

K met Peren Festival mix

Botergeile Nacht  by  djsocrates

This is a mix recorded around 4 'o clock at night during the K met Peren Festival in Studio K in Amsterdam, celebrating the horny aspects of Valentines day. The set starts off with some Balkan dub, gradually the groove becomes more up tempo, finally ending up in some spicy Electro Swing. Enjoy!

Favourite album of the moment: Electro Swing 2

The first Electro Swing album was a great compilation which introduced me to a fusion I had not heard before. Old school swing with a subtle shot of electronic music. I was especially taken by the french band Caravan Palace. Not just samples from old records with beats, but an actual swing band, with a DJ adding a tasty electro edge. A perfectly balanced mix of old and new...
There are some cheesy tracks or less subtle ones on the compilation too, but most tracks I find fresh and exciting.

The same goes for "Electro Swing 2." More of the same in a good way, which means more new innovative sounds and sophisticated dance grooves. Highlights include a remix of Ella Fitzgeralds "Air Mail Special," the hiphop style "Et De Clarinette" by Palov & Miskhin and Parov Stellars "Catgroove" which is as powerful as a solid house track, but with so much more depth and detail then the bulk of boring stuff that gets made for the dancefloor today.
That's exactly whats so appealing about Electro Swing. It has the kick ass beats of modern dance music. But instead of the fast food emptiness that characterises a lot of this music, the space is filled up with the cheerful energy and intelligent melodies of classic swing.

What a treat, after Balkan Beats this could well be the next big thing!