M&A #44: Jake Skelton

Jake Skelton is next up, with a mix that is equal parts breaksy and loungey. Jake describes this as atmospheric jungle, and this atmosphere is made up of ~78% airy synths, 21% warm bass and 0.9% bubbly modulation, with trace amounts of other elements that create a lush setting for the drums to play around in. Something which Jake does really well is patch the individual scenes together without any interruption of the flow or incongruent inclusions. A really transportative 45 mins to get you floating off into the sky, swimming with the starfish and riding a wave through the rainforest. 

How did you record the mix?

Rekordbox and a DDJ-400.

What were you trying to do with it?

Because atmospheric jungle’s a very varied genre I wanted to go on a bit of a journey, so the mix starts mellow then works up to some more energetic amen tunes. Then I tried to cool it back down with the final track, which is one that I really love.

Are you related to Helen Skelton?

Haha sadly no rich or famous relatives for me.

What’s your musical guilty pleasure?

Rapper’s Delight is your perfect example of record executives trampling all over a scene they know nothing about, but unfortunately that doesn’t stop me from liking it.

What’s the last song you listened to?

Mighty Diamonds – Bodyguard Dub.

Who is your favourite producer/performer at the moment?

Producers-wise, there’s a lot of great stuff coming out of the modern jungle scene, from people like Tim Reaper, Kid Lib, Coco Bryce, etc. In terms of DJs, DJ Ron and his silky-smooth mixes are a big inspiration, and I love the energy and variety that Jossy Mitsu brings to her sets.

What is your go-to banger?

James Brown – People Get Up And Drive Your Funky Soul (9 min mix).

What’s coming up for you during/after Quarantine?

Over lockdown and summer I think I’ll just be perfecting my beatmatching and digging through discogs. I may also be joining the esteemed Mr Jake Ballin in mixing for some Clare Ents streams (live and direct to ticketbridge every Friday night). As for when we’re back in cam, I’ve got a few connections with some of the familiar names on the scene so maybe something will come of that, we’ll see.

Jake’s Tracklist:

Adam F – Metropolis

Cloud 9 – Twist

Nookie – The Blues

Peshay – On The Nile

The Sentinel – Dig Deeper

Future Forces – Jeep Beats

Cloud 9 – Jazzmin

Intense – Eastern Promise

Q-Project – Solar System

Source Direst – Secret Liaison

Studio Pressure – Book of Changes

PHD & MC Conrad – Reminiscent Rhythms