The Juan MacLean
DJ-KiCKS (Juan MacLean) [DJ Mix]
Album · Electronic · 2010
Alongside LCD Soundsystem’s James Murphy, The Juan MacLean was always one of DFA’s staunchest proponents of classic dance music. On his 2010 DJ-Kicks mix, the New York DJ digs deep into his crates and comes up with a funky, soulful set that spans styles and eras. Early on, he tips his hat to retro disco vibes, tapping punchy, sample-driven tunes from indie-dance peers like Still Going and 6th Borough Project; he then eases into a deeper, more hypnotic groove rooted in the ageless house sounds of the American Midwest. A Theo Parrish dub mix of Rick Wilhite’s “Get on Up!!” adds a splash of juicy keys; Armando’s “Don’t Take It (Thomos Edit)” brings back the woozy delights of Chicago acid. Toward the end, Danny Howells’ “Laid Out (Fully Horizontal Mix)” exemplifies new-school deep house at its most rapturous before Todd Terje’s mix of Shit Robot’s “Simple Things” adds a dash of space-disco fairy dust. Finally, a brief reprise of that Theo Parrish dub teases a sense of déjà vu before MacLean’s own Rhodes keys close out the set with an atmospheric flourish—a dreamy finale to a full-bodied affair.