Kontinum from Germany is a talented DJ and one of the founders of the Nebulla Kollektiv, a label of quality events & podcasts. During the pandemic crisis, he recorded a memorable live mix for Monument. The man is elegant and charismatic, with a great critical ear. It allowed him to embrace the production world recently and to be noticed by Circular Limited among others, for which he released the dope EP “Ultima Thule“.
THEMATIC SELECTION
CLASSIC
Giorgio Gigli & Ness – Eon [Planet Rhythm, 2015]
Kontinum: One of the most iconic tracks of the genre and still one of my favourites. The immersive sound design in combination with the floating and energetic rhythms is absolutely fantastic. In particular, the drop at 4:38 gives me goosebumps every time.
DEEP
Kryss Hypnowave – Meditatio [Lanthan Audio, 2020]
Kontinum: The monotony and subtle sounds are very calming. It amazes me how the whole track is carried by one deep pad and the groove. No peaks, no lows, just a constant flow. Brilliant work.
MENTAL
Abdulla Rashim — Moral Blinds [Northern Electronics, 2014]
Kontinum: This one sets me back in the first year of living in Leipzig. It was all about exploring physical and mental limits. The way this track reconnects the synapses by shaking your brain is absolutely nuts.
DARK
Agnosia – Forget you (I can’t) [Ephemeral Manoeuvres, 2016]
Kontinum: I’m usually not into dark tunes, but this one works so well in the early morning hours in a dark basement. I really like the energy and length of the track. It’s like a never-ending story.
EXPERIMENTAL
Formant Value – Polycausa [Well Street Records, 2020]
Kontinum: This is one of the most – if not the most – creative tracks I’ve ever heard. It’s so complex. I still didn’t get the groove and wouldn’t know how to start making such a track. But luckily Formant Value found a way to produce it.
DOPE BASSLINE
CYL – Crypt [Haknam, 2012]
Kontinum: It’s basically a track with a really dope bassline. Absolute monster on a big system. The flow gets me every time.
OLD SCHOOL
Rosella – Herbie [Cyclical Tracks, 2008]
Kontinum: This track is way ahead of its time. It’s so different and well-made. For me, it’s still hard to believe that it’s already 12 years old.
TO START A MIX
Aes Dana – Peace Corrosion [Ultimae Records, 2019]
Kontinum: I really like the progression of this track. It starts with a nice ambient soundscape before introducing a subtle breakbeat and after a short break, you get the four-to-the-floor everyone is waiting for. The end is a perfect connecting point to some more straightforward tracks. A perfect opener for me.
FOR THE PEAK TIME
Claudio PRC – Atik [Pole Recordings, 2014]
Kontinum: I think I played this one in most of my peak-time / closing sets, because the flow and energy are so strong. I love the subtle groove and dramatic pads: the combination of both gives this track great power.
BONUS – TOPIC BROUGHT BY OUR GUEST
A DOPE MIX
Polar Inertia – XLR8R Podcast [2016]
Kontinum: What can I say about this set? I’ve heard a lot of really good mixes over the last few years but this one is timeless. Today, it’s still the best one I’ve ever heard. It finds the most direct way into my brain and causes big trouble there, as it should be! It’s hard to imagine that another set will ever reach this level.
WRITING BY: JONAS WERNICKE & CEDRIC FINKBEINER | 9 MAY 2020
