Coltrane is definitely one of my music idols. For me his music perfectly balances free improvisation and structure, creating tension whilst allowing for space and freedom within his melodies and rythms. In my mind this is an essential part of modern dance music. Just look at the way villalobos holds his crowd in a tight groove whilst simultaneously stabbing them with new sounds and rythms. This cycle of tension-apprehension-relief is something both these gurus have mastered.

I was at home around 2 years ago preparing for my final exams and looking for some escapism. Stumbling across Hugh Masekela’s album Liberation in my Dad’s record collection, this was the first tune I heard:

It was one of those moments when music delivered way beyond what I was expecting. This remains one of my favourite tunes to this day, and having heard it in a club environment at Plastic People two weeks ago it has been pushed right back up to the top of pile.