Back To Mine with Sandy Mill

Sandy Mill hails from Aotearoa (NZ) and is a singer, songwriter, producer, DJ, percussionist and Ngati Porou soul sister. She’s worked with the likes of The Basement Jaxx, Placebo, Boy George, and Notenshun, to name a few, and NZ legends including Pitch Black, Dick Johnson, Epsilon Blue, Neil Finn and more. Sandy’s 2018 debut EP, ‘A Piece Of Me’, hit the New Zealand Top 20.

Sandy is currently producing and writing her new artist album and continues to work with SJD, New Telepathics, James Pinker & Tom Bailey and dance producer, DJ Dean Webb. As a DJ, you can find Sandy sharing her extensive vinyl collection on the Auckland DJ circuit, along with a Bi-weekly radio show called ‘The Taster’ on Base FM.

As her smooth new single, ‘Socials’, drops on Chillifunk, DMCWorld goes back to mine with the fabulous Sandy Mill…

Sandy Mill – Socials – Chillifunk Records 2022

‘Socials’ didn’t fit with my solo EP, so I filed it away. In lockdown I found it, tweaked it, and when able to get into a live studio, drums were tracked, analogue synths & guitar added. My first attempt at production with lots of help from Jeremy (Leonard Charles) Toy. I’m very proud of this.

Kody Nielson – Hunny Bee’s Birthday – God Emoji

From Birthday Suite Vol ll – This song has a beautiful groove with all the right loops, glitches & tones. Kody’s side projects are worth a listen too. ‘Silicon’ / ‘Opossum’ and ‘The Mint Chicks’; he also plays drums in his brother Ruben’s band.

Micronism – Rainbow City – Kog 1997 / Loop Recordings 2017

First Released on the Kog Transmissions label and re-released on vinyl in 2017 through Loop NZ. Denver McCarthey is a solid ambassador for the Aotearoa NZ electronic scene. This tune is the magical blippy – rolling – rhythmical – electronica I dig.

 SJD – Boy – Round Trip – Mars 2001

From the album ‘Lost Soul music’ This song holds a special place in my heart. Written and produced by one of my besties Sean Donnelly. This album was my first time working with Sean; Many albums, sessions and gigs later, it won’t stop any time soon… Musically brilliant, fragile and funky.

Everything is Recorded feat Sampha – Close But Not Quite – XL Recordings 2018

On first listen, I had to buy this record & copped it on yellow vinyl. It’s a great collaboration album. Props to Richard Russell. Nice hat tip to the late Curtis Mayfield and Sampha’s vocal is so emotionally charged, check that pre-chorus. Just beautiful.

 The Three Degrees – Collage – Roulette 1970

Found this on a Philly soul comp, and I play it out any chance I get. The Rhythm section hums, the horns line class . The unison vocals splitting into harmony, this always gets me.

Joe Simon feat The Mainstreeters – Theme From Cleopatra Jones – Spring Records 1973

Discovered this on a Dbl compilation album -Can you Dig it? The music and Politics of Black Action Films 1968-75.VOL 2. The funk is strong on this song. Joe Simon’s bluesy vocal delivery is everything. The rhythm, the band, damn!

Mara TK – Highly Medicated – Years Gone By – Extra Soul Perception 2021

What I get from this song is the warmth of the vocal, with dark subject matter I can relate to. Maori-Scot Mara TK is self-taught producer, guitarist, vocalist. Also check out  ‘Electric Wire hustle’

Unknown Mortal Orchestra – The World Is Crowded – Jagjaguar 2015

Ruben Nielson is UMO. With help from brother Kody (see my 1^st pick) and their Dad plus Jake Portrait they make pure psychedelic soul with a punk DIY ethic. Ruben has serious guitar & vocal skills –  his artwork ain’t too shabby either.

Cinematic Orchestra feat. Fontella Bass- All That You Give – Ninja Tunes 2002

I was living in London at the time this album was released. -I’d play this when I was missing home; From the Alice Coltrane style Harp intro, the Fontella Bass vocal, the lush instrumentation and the mix. It’s Glorious and gets me every time.

Sandy Mill – Socials is out now on Chillifunk Records

https://kud.li/cf81