Fresh Picks: Ray Mono

In less than three years, Liverpool-based production talent Ray Mono has made the jump from inaugural studio offering to releasing on the likes of SOUP, Whoyostro and MadTech.

Behind the decks his accomplishments have also been consistently note worthy, with past sets finding him play to crowds at Mint Warehouse, BPM Festival, fabric and Distrikt.

Taking the reigns for our April edition of Fresh Picks, Ray highlights tracks from Toman, Djebali and Mihai Popoviciu among others, via labels such as Gruuve, Fuse and Eastenderz..

Diego Krause – Fierce
Label: Eastenderz
Release: March 25th

Diego Krause is one of the best around. This time on Eastenderz. I’ve been a massive fan of him for so many years. His releases from him being a part of the Beste Modus crew really shaped my taste and sound in music when I was making the transition into really taking my production seriously. All about the rolling beats, chords and quirky stabs on this one. I’ve been playing it loads and it’s always went off!

Djebali & Politics of Dancing – Jackfruit
Label: Politics of Dancing Records
Release: March 30th

It was hard to pick between a few tracks on this VA but I settled for Djebali & Politics of Dancing’s joint effort. Djebali & Politics of Dancing are huge influences on me like Diego Krause (mentioned earlier). They all heavily influenced my taste in music years back. This has it all. A bouncy bassline with a great hook. The chords and percussion are all on point with the rides stepping it up subtly. Perfect for anytime in the party. Essential rolling tackle.

Mihai Popoviciu – Dublearic Rhythm
Label: Gruuv
Release: March 27th

Proper subtle bassline on this one, held together with warm pads and music elements that talk to each other to keep the interest throughout. The percussion added with sprinkles here and there just tops it off to get the whole room groovin’. It’s tracks like this that have all the right amount of parts. None take centre stage but they all compliment each other perfectly. It’s when a producer can do this day in day out that you know they are really ones to watch out for.

Fabe – Locked
Label: FUSE
Release: March 13th

What more can be said about Fabe that hasn’t been already! This guy is a true inspiration. When I watch his videos of him jamming in the studio it really made me want to step my game up. Invested in an Elektron Rtym after seeing his videos and this track Locked is a part of this mega EP on Infuse aptly named Rtym Tales. Loving the purring bassline complimented with a catchy vocal.

Ray Mono – Biometric
Label: Hedzup Records
Release: March 30th

Picking one of my own here just because I had a lot of fun combining all these elements into this main track. I have worked with the HedZup honchos Mancini & Wlad before on a various artists release and remixing for them, so I’m really happy to be getting the chance to release a full EP with them. Hopefully the first of many as it’s an awesome label that is constantly pushing banging releases out every time.

Toman – Hindsight Bias
Label: Tamango Records
Release: March 30th

I have been playing this track from months. It’s one of many great tracks on Tamango Records new VA of which I have a track on to called Deftones. This VA was supposed to be released months back so I have had this in my arsenal for a while and everyone always asks what it is. It did the damage on my South American Tour earlier in the year. Toman is always on form and this is definitely my favourite track of his.

Ray Mono’s Biometric EP is out now on HedZup Records.