Darone Sassounian hails from Los Angeles, where he heads up the Rocky Hill label. He has a wide range of styles in his arsenal and takes inspiration from music made in the 70’s and 80’s as well as disco, soul, jazz, international obscurities and vintage house. In 2021, he released the highly acclaimed compilation ‘Silk Road: Journey of the Armenian Diaspora: 1971 – 1982’ on Terrestrial Funk, which got support from the likes of Gilles Peterson, Danilo Plessow and Palms Trax. His own famously raw productions come on Rocky Hill while he holds down a monthly residency at the Los Angeles venue, Club Tee Gee and has a radio residency at Los Angeles’s highly acclaimed Dublab. As he releases his new single ‘Synthetic Instincts’ on Rocky Hill Records, DMCWorld goes Back To Mine with Darone Sassounian.
Herbie Hancock – Maiden Voyage
One of my favourite records from the legendary Blue Note label; airy, dynamic, and transformative.
Theo Parrish – Heal Yourself and Move
This album by Theo Parrish holds a very special place in my heart. It’s a record that I can put on over and over again and never get tired of listening to. The pure and raw approach to the whole album is remarkable and can be heard throughout. Theo plays a huge role in the musical environment for me, always standing out as the torch bearer and teacher.
Arthur Verocai – Arthur Verocai
I find myself turning back to this record time and time again. I had the pleasure and privilege of working at Ubiquity Records in the mid 2010’s as a college student and had heard this through their ‘Luv N’ Haight’ sub-label. Blown away by the record and its story since then; start to finish, masterpiece.
Minnie Riperton – Adventures In Paradise
Late, great Minnie Riperton; 1975 ‘Adventures In Paradise’ has to be her greatest album. A real self-care, life and family oriented record that I have on usually at home. Fun fact, the lion on the record was really there during the shoot.
Gorillaz – Demon Days
Quite possibly my favourite “contemporary” pop record. I purchased this album when I was an early teen from FYI, when we’d stand in line for CDs. It changed my whole perception on music making and composition, since at the time, I was in classical and jazz piano classes every week after school learning how to read theory, play and improvise.
Sault – Faith
I was introduced to this record by my good friend and colleague, Daniel Edenburg (aka Brother Dan) earlier this year. It’s a gorgeous record that captures elements of Soul, R&B, and Gospel; a whole lot of emotions that are elegantly crafted.
Eastbound Expressway – Better Look Before You Leap
One of my all time favourite Disco records that oozes a good time; always in my bag, incredible from start to finish.
James Tatum – Live at Orchestra Hall and the Paradise Theater
Zoombah Lu is my go to on this record. A genius fusion of gospel and “modal” jazz from Detroit.
Ferkat Al Ard – Entazerni
Ferkat Al Ard’s record ‘Oghneya’ is a ultra rare commodity (in terms of the first pressing via Zida), but Jannis was able to track down the band’s leader, Issam Hajali in Lebanon years back and gift everyone with a reissue. A beautiful and unique blend of Lebanese “oriental” jazz, influences by Brazilian jazz, the Civil War, and the Palestinian resistance of the time.
Made In U.S.A. – Never Gonna Let You Go
Another favorite and “classic” for me from start to finish. A couple real floor burners on here, but my favorite is “Never Gonna Let You Go’. It’s always in my bag and never disappoints. A Time capsule of a boogie record.
Darone Sassounian ‘Synthetic Instincts’ is out now both digitally and on vinyl on Rocky Hill Records.