THE JOURNAL
Clockwise, from top left: Con Todo El Mundo by Khruangbin; image courtesy of Night Time Stories. The Colour In Anything by Mr James Blake; image courtesy of Toast Press. A Seat At The Table by Solange; image courtesy of Sony Music. Rema by Rema; image courtesy of Jonzing
Since it is Christmas – and, technically, a birthday party – we thought we would put together a fail-safe playlist for the various gatherings and get-togethers taking place from now until January. But, instead of being shackled by whatever the Spotify algorithm throws up, we asked a real-life person for their comprehensive view on how to soundtrack a party. But not just any person, though – BBC Radio 1 DJ Benji B. Below, he discusses the nuances of setting the right tone, and lists the tracks he’d put on to keep things moving. Read and listen, below.
“Whatever you do, don’t go too hard too early,” says DJ Benji B. “Play some background music – something warm and soulful – when people are arriving, at a volume that allows them to chat. When you move into the dinner, take it down a couple of notches. Once people have loosened up a bit, you can move to what I call second and third-gear tunes. Play something universal or uplifting. It could be disco-y dance. Later, if it’s winding down, match the mood. Or if you want to wind it down yourself, try hands-in-the-air tunes with a finale feeling to them. You’re always going to end up with those 10 hardcore people who don’t want to go home, but if they have a good finale, they’ll gladly get their coats.”
The arrival
- “Sylvia” by Mr Arthur Verocai
- “The Line” by D’Angelo
- “Cómo Me Quieres” by Khruangbin
- “I Need A Forest Fire” by Mr James Blake
- “Biscuit Town” by King Krule
After dinner
- “Kyenkyen Bi Adi Mawu” by Mr Alhaji K Frimpong
- “Dumebi” by Rema
- “Love Endeavor” (Mr Maurice Fulton mix) by Ms Alice Smith
- “Shades Of Jae” by Moodymann
To get people moving
- “I Wanna Be Your Lover” (DimiTri From Paris mix) by Prince
- “God Made Me Phunky” by Mr Mike Dunn
- “Seasons” by Lil Silva
- “Burn The Witch” by Lsdxoxo
When it gets rowdy
- “Talkin’ Da Hardest” by Giggs
- “Welcome To The Party” by Pop Smoke ft Skepta
- “Original Nuttah” by Shy Fx
- “Toast” (Clipz remix) by Koffee
The late-night selection
- “Crush On You” by Lil’ Kim
- “One More Chance” by The Notorious BIG
- “Lost Ones” by Ms Lauryn Hill
- “Be Happy” by Ms Mary J Blige
The drunken finale
- “All This Love I’m Giving” by Ms Gwen McCrae
- “Never Too Much” by Mr Luther Vandross
- “Over And Over” by Sylvester
- “Stand On The Word” (Mr Larry Levan Mix) by Celestial Choir
Can the last five people go home please
- “All Night Long” by Mary Jane Girls
- “When I See You Smile” by Singing Sweet
- “Cranes In The Sky” by Solange
- “Angel” by Dwele