Leif

For many, Leif’s music will have been a recent, welcome discovery – perhaps prompted by the release of his universally acclaimed 2015 album, Teraxacum. However, in reality, he has been modestly releasing brilliant dance music since as early as 2004, beginning his career penning impeccable (yet comparatively traditional) minimal house and techno under the close supervision of friend and mentor Steevio.

As with the rest of the Freerotation crew (Duckett, Steevio and Tom Ellis), Leif’s take on the sound has always been uncharacteristically imbued with colour and musicality – a quality that has grown to define his music as the years have progressed. It’s almost too obvious a comparison to make, but his music sings with the pastoral charm of the Welsh countryside, and his rhythms knock and tumble with an organic, unbridled energy rarely found in dance music.

His music is adored and acclaimed at every turn; however, his overriding reputation remains as a DJ. He is known in particular for his long, languid warm up sets, which meander seamlessly through dreamy ambient, psychedelic techno, rattling broken beats and pitched down jungle. If you’ve not yet had the pleasure, let this mix stand as a welcome, overdue introduction.