Rōnin I - out now! Plus 6Music guest mix, phone wallpaper, BAPE and Living in my Headphones
Hey,
Welcome to the third issue of Original Headz.
I'm pleased to announce that today sees the digital release of Rōnin I, the first of two forthcoming Rōnin mixtapes rooted in club culture. If you pre-ordered, check your inbox for your digital download code.
Rōnin was an idea that started in the first lockdown, where Steven Weston and I started doing some remixes for a new set we thought we would be playing later in the year. We had a busy schedule of touring planned, which was going to be based around a more dance-orientated show that had premiered at Fabric for their 20th-anniversary celebrations.
We assumed that summer shows would be postponed by a few months but as the lockdown continued and any hope of live shows disappeared, we decided to work on it as a mixtape series. This meant we could create an hour’s worth of new remixes for each mixtape and incorporate brand new tracks in the spirit of a new live show, but give it a proper release due to the circumstances.
The record is meant to be like a night out at a party or club from the beginning of the night to the end, or a new UNKLE:Sounds show. It’s the set I dream of playing out in a festival or club when we finally get to come together and dance again.
I’m currently in the studio finishing Rōnin II with Miink, which will follow later in the year.
New announcements about Rōnin merchandise will follow in April and new remixes are in the pipeline.
Wishing you all well.
Love and thanks, James and all at Studio:UNKLE
UNKLE's Rōnin I mixtape featuring the brand new singles 'If We Don't Make It' and 'Do Yourself Some Good', as well as seven brand new UNKLE remixes is out today digitally.
The album will be released in a variety of formats including a deluxe limited edition splatter vinyl in a tip-on sleeve, as well as clear and transparent orange vinyl editions.
The album will be released in a variety of formats including a deluxe limited edition splatter vinyl in a tip-on sleeve, as well as clear and transparent orange vinyl editions. There’s also a deluxe 2CD edition in a tip-on sleeve, as well as a standard cd edition, and two cassette editions. 20 hand signed and numbered test pressings of the album have already sold out. Every order includes an exclusive signed postcard. Available to pre-order here now.
1. 初登場
2. Ar.Mour (Rōnin Dub) [Feat. Miink]
3. The Other Side (Rōnin Def Mix) [Feat. Tom Smith]
4. On My Knees (Rōnin Def Mix) [Feat. Michael Kiwanuka]
5. If We Don’t Make It (Rōnin Throwdown)
6. Do Yourself Some Good (Rōnin Throwdown)
7. 初幕間
8. Find An Outsider (Rōnin Reconstruction) [Feat. The Big Pink]
9. Days and Nights / Reprise (Rōnin Re-Edit) [Feat. Dhani Harrison]
10. Feel More / With Less (Rōnin Reconstruction) [Feat. Liela Moss]
11. Catch Me When I Fall (Rōnin Vocal Mix) [Feat. Callum Finn]
On Wednesday, March 31st at 9pm GMT, UNKLE will join Tim Burgess for Tim's Twitter Listening Party, to discuss the album. Head to UNKLE's Twitter then to follow live.
Big thanks to Mary Anne Hobbs of BBC Radio 6 Music who has supported the Rōnin project from the beginning, and invited James to do a guest mix which airs today. Click to listen back here.
BAPE vs UNKLE. Return of the Original Headz. Released to commemorate the opening of the new BAPE London store. In collaboration 1995 to 2021. Available now at A BATHING APE® locations and BAPE.COM.
James returned to Soho Radio last week, after 6 months off, premiering new material, as well as the usual eclectic mix. Listen back over on the UNKLE Mixcloud.
