The Friends and Family mix we have been all been waiting for. The long time standing Saturday manager of Phonica records steps up for just over an hour of what he knows best: deep dug out and well selected tech house grooves.
There has been many recognisable faces from dance music to work the weekend shifts at Phonica over the years. Artists like Heidi, Anthea and Danielle have all spent Saturdays and Sundays shifting the latest 12″s to the vinyl hungry punters of the Soho haunt. As these staff faded from the floor to bigger things Luther Vine has filled this void with a gusto and eagerness matching to his past colleagues (of course with his own flavour).
With a hand in the Phonica record label, running its latest Phonica AM off-shoot and also running his own imprint Fragments Of Reality with Ralph Lawson of 20/20 Vision – it is no secret that Luthers ear falls expert to minimalistic cuts as well as grooving tech-house sounds. This you can also find in his solid productions on the two previously mentioned labels including a pretty memorable cut with good friend Subb-An (who also released the debut release on Phonica AM) on Fragments Of Reality Vol. 2.
On top of all this Luther is a very credible DJ in the circuit having exhibited his skills all around the UK, further afield and as well as laying it down at London institution fabric on more than one occasion. For this mix he takes us into the deepest corners of his record bag with an all over minimalistic and tech house excursion with a perfectly built narrative and warmness to the craft. We had a quick chat with Luther about his mix, some of his favorite records and what he has coming up in the new year:
Hey Luther, thanks for joining us! Can you tell us about your mix and the idea behind it?
It’s a pleasure, thanks for asking. I wanted to keep this one pretty deep, hazy, and a little introspective, showcasing my love for the ’90s house aesthetic while incorporating both newly produced records and some older ’90s tracks. I recorded it with two 1210s, an Xone 62 mixer, and a cup of coffee.
Can you tell us a bit about how you usually approach recording a mix or a set?
I compile a list of records with a similar vibe that I really enjoy, then piece them together through trial and error. Sometimes it’s a bit of a jigsaw puzzle, though this one came together pretty naturally.
What are your preferred methods for finding new music—do you still enjoy digging around in dusty crates, or do you prefer to buy online?
Both go hand in hand. You never know what you’ll find in physical shops, and online platforms can help streamline the search. Shops break up the algorithm and expose you to music you wouldn’t usually expect to find.
You’ve been working at Phonica for ages now. Any fond memories worth mentioning?
Too many great memories to mention, but the musical discoveries, the parties, and my colleagues are at the forefront.
What are five records you couldn’t live without? 👀
Wow, okay… this is a really difficult question and changes for me all the time. But if I had to choose five in my current headspace, it would be (in no particular order):
• Jan Jelinek – Loop – Finding – Jazz – Records
A masterpiece in granular synthesis and sample manipulation.
• Boards of Canada – Music Has the Right to Children
A classic that needs no introduction. Life-changing stuff, especially in altered states.
• François K – FK EP
The blueprint for the perfect house record.
• African Head Charge – Environmental Studies
A next-level Adrian Sherwood production.
• Global Communication – The Way / The Deep
It’s all about “The Way (Secret Ingredients Mix)”—the perfect flip.
What has been one of your most memorable sets over your career?
The first set that springs to mind is a B2B with Alex Egan for Phonica’s 20th birthday at Fabric. The flow and energy were amazing, and playing records on the RM2 sound system was next level.
What do you have up your sleeve for 2024/5?
I’ve been locking myself away in the studio quite a bit, working on various music projects, including the launch of a new alias with a close friend. All will be revealed soon! You can expect a solo EP from me in 2025, as well as an EP with Subb-an and some tracks on various labels.
Thanks Luther 🙂
