Klute Shares Spotify Playlist Of His Favourite Musical Influences

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drum and bass playlist spotify by Klute

Multi-genre producer Klute has just released his brand new ‘Whatever it Takes’ LP on his own label Commercial Suicide and when exploring its track list, you’re made aware of his illustrious capabilities as an artist.

And to celebrate its release, we asked Klute to provide us with a Spotify playlist that gives an insight into the music which he uses to influence his own sounds. From movie scoring through to mainstay drum & bass names, there’s a host of tastes catered to and you’re brought into the world of Klute, as well as the music which has set its foundations.

1. Anton Zap – “Captain Storm”

I’m a big follower of Anton Zap and this is his Tour De Force, originally released on Jus Ed’s Underground Quality label. It’s deep house perfection with the most infectious disco bass line. It’s my benchmark of how house music should be, and its atmosphere completely captures me and doesn’t let go. If everyone has a theme tune that plays when they walk down the street, this is mine.

2. Edgar Froese – “Maroubra Bay”

Anyone who’s heard more than a couple of Klute tunes knows that I like pads and strings and Mellotrons and that mostly stems from hearing Tangerine Dream drifting out of my sister’s bedrooms when I was a kid. I’ve developed a big thing for German music, Berlin school or whatever you want to call it, I think its influence on my sound is quite evident. Beautiful ethereal, drifting melancholia often associated with a travel theme. Travelling can often put you into a dreamlike trance and for me this is where music takes on a whole further dimension.

3. Ennio Morricone – “Un Uomo Da Rispettare”

Films and soundtracks have always been a big influence and sample source for me, and my new album is no different. Morricone is the granddaddy of Italian composers and his legacy is immense. Mostly known for his popular films I’m more into his darker side and this is a perfect example. Discordant, paranoid, suspicious. Evil stuff.

4. Studio pressure – “Presha III”

One of Photek’s early aliases brings a third interpretation of his classic “Jump” tune originally released on Certificate 18 back in the day (Paul Arnold and his label was hugely instrumental in my early career). Being introduced to Rupert and his music in 1993 completely changed my outlook on Jungle as it did for a great many of us at the time, Digital, Source Direct, Spirit etc. No one has ever come close to Photek’s beats.

Although the music has moved on quite a bit since then it’s still a mind set and attitude I refer to constantly when I make tunes – check Centre Of Crystal from my new album.

5. Konflict – “Celestial”

Around the turn of 2000, coming out of the Ed Rush & Optical Virus sound, Kemal & Rob Data aka Konflict started introducing a much loopier techno influence – longer arrangements with much more pace and tension and that had a huge impact on me and my label Commercial Suicide at the time. Over the last few years that sound has fallen by the wayside a little bit, but I think it’s time for a revival. This isn’t their best work but unsurprisingly most of their work isn’t available digitally. See Parasomniac on my album.

6. Matrix – “The Saint”

The Understated champion of Tech step made a lot of superb tunes in the late 90’s but this tune has a timeless influence on me. The tight jazz funk elements with that mesmerising electric bass guitar mixing the light with the dark is a big part of what i strive for in my tunes.

7. Carl Craig – At les

A lot of Carl Craig’s early works defied genre and he let loose with melancholic melodies and breakbeats, all centred around a 4×4 rhythm and Its from that that i take my lead with a freeform attitude to my non drum & bass work. Genres can be fussy and militant about what is right or wrong so i prefer to just do whatever I like.

8. Hi – Ryze – Cyberia

Perhaps one of my biggest practical influences throughout my career is my friend Dave Campbell who I went to school within Ipswich. In the late 80’s and 90’s he was part of the pioneering UK techno scene with Ubik, Hi-Ryze, Autonation etc. Around 1993 I started to work closely with Dave and he showed me the ropes both as a creative partner and mentor and that continues to this day. Check out his new album as 62nd Cell – “The Wood For The Trees” – amazing contemporary techno as good as you can get.

9. Human League – Love Action

Maybe a bit random but “Dare” is one of my most influential albums of all time. Coming out of the Sheffield post punk / Electronic scene “Dare” represents the perfect marriage of their avant-garde leanings with pure pop sensibilities, perhaps some of the best techno pop after Kraftwerk. In the early 80’s England was experiencing a huge funk explosion from all angles and while i was into punk at the time its effect has remained with me ever since. “Pop Will Eat You” from my album is a perfect example of that. I didn’t try to do it, it just came out of me.

10. Baby Ford – Dead Eye

Hands down one of the best techno tracks of all time, so intense but effortlessly laidback and dreamy. Groovy as fuck. Only a god can make a tune like this so I pretty much buy any Baby Ford record on sight since i heard this in 1994. His esoteric sound and attitude is what influence me. Shouts out to Mark Broom and the late great Ian B.

Download his LP, here.

Hannah Helbert

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