Kurdish born / New Zealand resident Dera Meelan has worked closely with a tight-knit circle of stylish new-generation New Zealand hip-hop and RnB acts including Church & AP DeadforestFable Pollyhill and Nauti. With the sounds of radio pop hip-hop and traditional Kurdish music drifting through the household Dera took his first steps towards becoming a music producer as a child while messing around with a basic music program on a Nintendo 3DS handheld game console. As he entered his teens in the early 2010s he spent his spare time outside of school exploring house jungle/drum and bass and EDM music. In 2020 Dera took home the Red Bull Best Producer of the year at the Pacific Music Awards. As his On Mt Mind single lands on 45RPM, DMCWorld goes Back To Mine with Dera Meelan.
Patrick Alavi – Come 2 Me
The sample chops, the guitar licks, the retro synths, and that bassline. So groovy, an essential one for me. Can’t sit still to this one.
Daft Punk – Voyager
It was hard for me not to make this entire list all Daft Punk tracks. The luscious chords and groovy bassline on Voyager just do something to my brain. Goosebumps. If I rode a motorcycle, this would be playing.
Alan Braxe, Fred Falke – Intro
The way this track builds up to that main hook Is beautiful but simple. The ensemble vocal loop overtop that bass scratches something deep within my brain and the tone on that bass is something else.
Todd Edwards – Wishing I Were Home (Intro Edit)
I will not rest until I have forced everyone in my life to listen to this track. Todd Edwards has many special records but this specific one feels like a massage to the ears. The original sample slowly speeding up and transitioning into the main chop is beautiful. You can’t help but move.
Thomas Bangalter – On Da Rocks
As the title suggests, this record really does feel like hearing a drink poured on the rocks, and how could you not have one while listening to it? Smooth, groovy, and beautiful.
Altin Gün – Goca Dünya
I don’t think you are allowed to listen to this record without wearing a leather jacket, jeans & toting a cigarette in hand. How else could you? It would be disrespectful.
Obskür – Bayside
I’ve never shuffled in my life, but hearing this out loud on speakers summons a voice that asks me to get up and do that. I’m a sucker for sampled piano stabs, what can I say.
Yaego – The Sensation
Remember the part when I mentioned I was a sucker for piano stabs? Yeah, piano stabs. This track feels like I’m nostalgic for a moment that hasn’t even occurred yet.
Digitalism – Encore
This track absolutely deserves an encore. I tried to get through the rest of the list without mentioning the word ‘Bassline,’ but… Bassline. The choir sample and the way the track builds up into a completely elevated groove halfway through – amazing. Goosebumps.
Lifelike, Kris Menace – Discopolis
As the list and the night comes to a close, I’d play this as my outro track. Not much else to say – just a beautiful record. Wave goodbye to the guests, it was fun.
Dera Meelan ‘On My Mind’ is out now on 45RPM.
https://www.traxsource.com/title/2459560/on-my-mind
