Bare Bones Waxcast 11 – Lil’ Mark
For Waxcast number 11 (Soundcloud player at the bottom of the page) we welcome a true Underground House legend to the blog, providing a truly bumping guest mix from the one and only Lil’ Mark. He was Introduced to the bigger picture by Bristol’s Rene and Bacus back in the early 90’s. Rearranged by Derrick Carter whilst living with him in ’97 and making his debut release with Rob Mello in 2000, Mark has never looked back. He’s now been Djing for over two decades and releasing music on labels such as Classic, Bump and Greenhouse. We caught up with him to ask about his mix and what is coming soon!
What have you been up to recently?
The usual. Looking after the kids and trying to get time in the studio. I have just finished Remixing a track for a Duo called Flurb from Portland Oregon which was cool as I haven’t done a remix for a while. I’m just starting to work on my next project. I’ve hired a guy to do some Horns and keys so should be interesting as I don’t usually work with others.
Thanks again for doing the Waxcast, it’s a really great mix. Where and how the mix was recorded?
You are most welcome thanks for asking and thanks for the positive feedback. I recorded it in my studio just regular old turntables and an MC Audio Custom Rotary Allen Heath 23.
Can you tell us the idea behind the mix and the vibe you wanted to go for?
I didn’t really follow any vibe I just wanted a bit of everything and display a few of my recent Discogs purchases. I really don’t have much time to mix these days so it was nice to be asked.
Do you have any upcoming gigs or music releases coming out?
I have a release coming out mid-May on 12” via Music For Freaks. It is one original track and then I reeled in my favours from friends to do mixes including Bart Ricardo, Rob Mello, Joseph Jeffries, Matthew Jay and Deeper Waters. The Detox Twins ‘Love Shared has just been licensed by DBH Music and will be available in record shops June.
I only have one gig and that’s because my friend JCub runs the festival (smiles) and that’s the List in Leeds 29-31st July. It has an amazing line up of true underground Dj’s and we get to see Mark Farina doing Mushroom Jazz. I’m also playing a secret location gig in Ibiza in a couple of weeks with my friend Bart. The locals put it together for the locals so that should be interesting.
Your new releases sound great. You have quite an extensive back catalogue on some of the best underground house labels including Classic, Bump, Greenhouse and Double Down. Which release has been your favourite?
My favourite release is ‘Do it again’ on the German WMF label. I done it all on an MPC2000xl into Rob Mello’s old Studiomaster desk. I got plenty of work off that record and got to play with Zip and Sammy D at ‘Weekend’ in Berlin off the back of it which was pretty awesome, as he’s one of my all time favourites.
What are your plans for 2022 and beyond?
Get more work as a DJ and finish more music maybe. Now my 2 kids are in their teens they’ve become very independent so I won’t feel guilty for being away!
Tracklist
Kerri Chandler Meets TC1993 ‘Harmony’ Rubber room mix
Wilson Phoenix Side a Wp01
Blaze ‘My Beat’ Solid Groove dub
Paranoid London ‘Paris Live Mix’
Paranoid London ‘Dub 1’
Sound Sampler Track 1
Flaze ‘Forty’
R-Tyme ‘Use Me’ MK mix
Chapsy ‘Love In NY’
Robert Hood “Dancer’
Urgent 001 “Right Brain’
Da Posse ‘Heat of the night’
Jordan Fields ‘If you know”
Pressure Drop ‘ Feeling Good’ Touch mix 1