Brizm
25 Years Of Anjuna Mixed By James Grant
Twenty-five years of Anjuna music condensed into one mix is a daunting task, akin to summarizing the entire Lord of the Rings trilogy in a haiku. James Grant, ever the archivist, gives it a heroic go, and we are here to nod sagely at every nostalgic melody. This is a history lesson you can dance to, best experienced with a group of friends who still argue about the best Above & Beyond album. Technically, Grant navigates this vast catalog with a curator's steady hand. The BPM is kept at a consistent 121 average, using the complementary keys of 8B and 3B to weave together tracks from different eras seamlessly.
The energy skews towards the melodic mid-range (53%), with deep lows (43%) and minimal highs (4%) creating a warm, enveloping soundscape. The mixing is respectful and smooth, often allowing classic tracks to play out in near-entirety, connected by subtle blends and key-matched intros across a tight BPM range of 105 to 122. The tracklist is a reverent dive into the vaults. Cubicolor's 'I Got This Feeling' opens with understated grace. Jody Wisternoff & James Grant's own 'Dapple' is a shimmering deep house gem.
16BL's 'Nobody Seems To Care' remains an iconic, melancholic anthem. Savvas's 'Peace of Mind' offers driving progressive energy, while Eli & Fur's 'Night Blooming Jasmine' gets a beautiful, deep remake from Rodriguez Jr. Nihil Young & Less Hate's 'Visions' and the collaboration 'Come Together' by Nox Vahn & Marsh represent the label's modern, melodic techno leanings. The journey starts with the reflective 'I Got This Feeling', traverses decades of emotive electronics, and concludes with the hopeful, ambient-leaning 'Return To A Place Called'. James Grant's 25 Years Of Anjuna mix is a loving, comprehensive tracklist for the faithful.