As usual we hand picked 20 mixes that we enjoyed listening during the month of November. There are some live recordings, podcasts, eclectic mixes, something for all types of occasions from top selectors like Konstantin, Recondite, Prins Thomas, Quarion, Ame, LOR, Pional, Rebolledo, Lord Of The Isles, Krink, Neil Flynn, ZK Bucket, Rodhad, Aera, Sevensol, Totto Chiavetta, Lauer, Vril, Jonas Saalbach and Lee Burridge.

Konstantin - Bassiani Podcast #20

A man with many monikers, Konstantin – one of the label bosses of German techno label Giegling has been one of our favorite artists for many years. Whether he produces or performs under his Herr oleander moniker or together with Leafar Legov as Kettenkarussel, or just as Konstantin, this artist makes techno music sound like high art. This is top notch techno packed into an eighty-five minute music tale powered by aggressive percussion, but beautifully wrapped in melancholy feelings.

Recondite - Essential Mix

Lorenz Brunner, better known as Recondite has been a favorite of ours for a long time. His authentic sound was first introduced on his own Plangent Records in 2011, and then a year later on his very first LP on Absurd Recordings which blew us away. After his second mind-bending LP ‘Hinterland’ that was released by the behemoth Ghostly International, the future for this German producer looked very bright. Not long after ‘Hinterland’ hit the shelves, recognition from heavy weights in the underground music scene came swiftly from the likes of the Life and Death and Innervisions crews. Recondite has been busy touring the world in the last couple of years, but he never fails to impress with his production. This essential mix for Pete Tong’s BBC Radio 1 show is truly essential. Made almost completely from his original material, Recondite has proven again that he’s truly a craftsman of a special kind. Pure bliss

Prins Thomas - XLR8R podcast #460

Whatever Norwegian master mind and space-disco don Prins Thomas touches turns instantly into dancefloor gold. Whether it’s a remix of some old disco song from the 70’s, or a fresh ‘Diskomiks’, or his original work, Prins Thomas excels whenever he hits the studio. He also fits firmly into the ‘chosen few’ artists who are equally talented DJs as well as producers. The new podcast for XLR8R brings us a magnificent one-hour mix with tracks that go from slow bass driven interludes to trippy techno spiced up with the finest deep house, and of course his signature space disco.

Quarion - 164 Feet Field Elevation

Since our last feature in FictionLab of Swiss-born, Berlin-based artist Quarion, his track ‘Monolith’ was released on the mighty Innervisions label as part of their ‘Secret Weapons part 8’ compilation. This time Quarion has brought us a fresh, darkly-tinged, club-ready mix. As Quarion himself mentioned in his description of the mix,  it was inspired by his new Berlin neighborhood and represents tracks that he’s played out this year. Expect trippy tunes by true masters of the game like Ripperton, map.ache, Baikal, Jimi Jules, and others.

Ame - Playground #33

Innervisions mastermind Kristian Beyer, the DJ half of the mighty Ame duo, stopped by Studio Brussels ahead of his gig in Belgium. Kristian delivered an hour-long mix with some of the forthcoming Innervisions releases as well as new tracks from Roman Flügel, Mano Le Tough, and rikk. Future dance floor hits alert.

LOR - DJ Mag weekly Podcast

Fantastically talented Belfast-based producer and DJ LOR (Lunar Orbit Rendezvous) has been turning heads this year. His releases on labels like Cin Cin, tomnation, and Exit Strategy gained support from DJ’s around the world. LOR did a mix for DJ Mag, and it’s a perfect combination of new and older tracks, spiced up with his own production. 2017 will definitely be a big year for this rising star from Ireland.

Pional - Fader Mix

The Madrid-based producer whose irresistible productions found their way into many playlists, Pional found some time in his busy schedule to make a mix for Fader magazine. Pional is famous for both his solo work as well as his collaboration with John Talabot as Lost Scripts. This mix is another one in our category of ‘not you typical DJ set’, but a beautiful compilation that can be listened over and over again, while working in front of your computer screen, walking in a park, driving a car, cooking… Pick the surrounding and press play.

Rebolledo - DGTL x Mosaic ADE 10.20.2016

One part of space-disco duo ‘Pachanga Boys’, Rebolledo is back with another mind-bending trippy set. This time we have a live recording from the gig Rebolledo played in Amsterdam during ADE festival as a part of Maceo Plex’s Mosaic party. When you see Rebolledo on the bill you can expect something different, a mix of old and new stuff packaged in a way that few DJ’s can. From Italo disco, to house, to acid to techno, Rebolledo bends genres in this one of a kind music voyage.

Lord of The Isles - Dekmantel Podcast 098

Neil McDonald aka Lord Of the Isles recently released his debut album called ‘In Waves’ on the acclaimed ESP Institute from California. In the past Neil released fantastic EP’s on labels such as Mule and Permanent Vacation, and his debut album got great critiques worldwide. This is a live recording of his original productions, so you can get a clearer picture what Lord of the Isles all about. Trippy, powerful techno at its best.

Krink - Stiff Little Spinners Mix #60

Phillipp Krink has been one of our favorite artists on the scene since his early beginnings. His undeniable talent for making unique tracks and mixes puts this Berlin-based artist squarely into the category of rare artists who can both produce and DJ at the highest level. Whether its a live set or DJ mix, Krink plays tracks that you’ve never heard but will definitely remember. This mix is no exception. Suitable for more for ‘headphone listening’ during the cold and gloomy days, the mix will take you on a unique journey comprised of very authentic tracks.

Neil Flynn - Tweak Cast 006

Irish producer, Neil Flynn whose release ‘J.E.N’ on Lossless has been rocking dance floors across the world lately jumped behind the decks to make this exclusive mix for the Tweak_cast series from Edinburgh ahead of his gig at Cabaret Voltaire. Neil is a versatile, expressive, and very talented DJ who doesn’t compromise behind the decks. A beautiful, deep, and melodic mix with some haunting vocals making for a very pleasant listen.

ZK Bucket - Muting The Noise 009

We don’t know much about ZK Bucket, the man behind Zaun Records except his reputation for phenomenal music to which this mix will totally do justice. His track ‘Let Your Body control the Beat’ was remixed by The Drifter earlier this year and became one of the most played and popular tracks in the underground music scene in 2016. ZK Bucket is also a close member of Muting The Noise family for which he made this exclusive and quite an impressive podcast. This dark and trippy 2-hour mix that is perfectly suited for these gloomy days. 

Ame b2b Rodhad - DGTL Barcelona

It’s interesting when two DJ’s that play different types of electronic music team up for a b2b session. If those two DJ’s are masters in their work like Kristian (Ame) and Rodhad are, then the final product has to be a true masterpiece. Let’s say they met up somewhere in the middle, Kristian played a little harder than usual, and Rodhad played a little more melodic. That said, you can’t really work out who’s playing at any given time. We had a chance to experience these two playing b2b at ADE this year, and they simply destroyed the main Afterlife stage. This recording is from the DGTL festival that happened in August in Barcelona, and it’s equally powerful and impressive.

Sasha Carassi - Isterikan
Whitesquare –Moving Up
Alexander Harre - Jade (Jeroen Search Rework) 
Cevin Fisher - The Message (The Nick Jones Experience Mix 1) 
Architectural - Plastic Dreams
Radio Slave - Vision (Marcel Dettman Remix) 
Monoloc – Muted
3 Channels - Alphabetti Spaghetti
Kamera - Consignia (Truncate Remix)
Roman Poncet - Atome II
Pastaboys feat. Osunlade - Deep Musique (Trus'me Spritz Mix) 
Ka One & St-Sene – FK
LA-4A - Alarm (Chirp Mix) [62] Yan Cook - Roller
SHDW & Obscure Shape - Die Weiße Rose
Shit Robot - Lose Control (Spencer Parker Workmix) 
Voiski - Happy Piece For Happy People Piece
Paul Woolford – Orbit
Charlotte de Witte - My Feeling

Aera - Ala.Play #261

Ralph Shmidt or simply Aera is a German artist who established his name as a producer and remixer of the highest quality. His original productions and remixes have been released on some of the industry leading labels such as Innervisions, Maeve, and Freerange records to name a few. Not often do we come across Aera’s DJ sets, but this time we in for a treat. This mix was recorded live at the infamous Brazil nightclub D-Edge. It’s a very interesting two-hour set that includes tracks from Acid Pauli, The Drifter, VAAL, LOR, Tennis and others. Melodic techno spiced up with acid for your enjoyment.

Sevensol - Ashorecast #53

For every edition of our monthly picks we at FictionLab try to pick a few mixes that are ‘not your typical DJ mix’. For this month we have Sevensol, one of the co-founders of independent house label from Leipzig, Kann records. Together with map.ache and Bender, Sevensol has been running this label with great success. Alex Neuschulz or Sevensol said in the interview for German Ashore Podcast that this mix is perfect for cooking or cycling and we couldn’t agree more. A very eclectic high-quality selection from the Kann records boss. 

Toto Chiavetta - Deep Klassified Podcast #44

The latest addition to Innervisions catalog comes from Toto Chiavetta, an Italian-born producer who slowly but surely has made a reputation for himself as a very talented producer. His full-length album is expected to be released soon on Osunlade’s Yoruba records. Here we have a podcast Toto made for the Deep Klassified – promoters from Netherlands, an hour-long club-ready mix filled with the recognizably Italian melodic techno style. 

Lauer - Sandra Fanclub Future Protokoll Mixtape

One part of phenomenal German duo Tuff City Kids, Lauer brings us an exclusive mixtape for LA.GA.STA ahead of his London gig which will take place at Dalston Superstore. Tuff City Kids are infamous for their disco and acid infused house music, which is also true for Lauer’s sets. Dripping with happy arpeggiated rhythms, this mix will instantly put a smile on your face.

Vril - XLR8R Podcast #466

Giegling is on fire. Most of the artists associated with Giegling are going through a true artistic renaissance. From fantastic EP’s, to massive compilation that just came out in celebration of Giegling’s 20th release, to mind blowing live and DJ sets, when you see a Giegling affiliation on a flyer, you know you in for a treat. Yet another fantastic podcast for the mighty XLR8R, this time we have Vril whose wicked live set we had a chance to hear in September in a Brooklyn warehouse. A masterfully crafted, powerful techno set which goes into the ‘must listen’ category.

Jonas Saalbach - Pearls & Sencha #9

We’re always excited when something new comes out of Jonas Saalbach’s music laboratory. This time it’s a proper DJ mix for his Pearls & Sencha show on Proton Radio. Melodic tunes with a perfect flow and some epic break downs. You’ll go back and re-listen to this mix more than once.

1. Robert Babicz - So Many Ways (Clawz SG Remix) [Traum Schallplatten] 
2. Jos & Eli Feat. Ellie Ka - Reflection [SUDBEAT] 
3. Habischman - Hoodoo [Global Underground Ltd] 
4. Khen - Authentica [Lost & Found] 
5. Speaking In Tongues - Hear Me Ft Cari Golden [ETERNAL ORDER] 
6. Guido Cusani - Turn Out Alone (Patlac Remix) [Lines] 
7. EINMUSIK - Pristine [EIN2] 
8. Oliver Winters - In The Flood [mau5trap] 
9. Stephan Bodzin - Vendetta [Herzblut Recordings]

Lee Burridge - Robot Heart, Burning Man 2016

Live recordings from this year’s Burning Man festival started to pop up like mushrooms in last month or so. One of the most awaited ones for sure is Lee Burridge’s sunrise set from Robot Heart. A three-hour set that perfectly represents Lee’s capability of taking a crowd on a unique and trippy journey. We are sure that powerful melodies with haunting vocals made a unique experience that Sunday morning on the playa.