A consistent source of thoroughbred grime instrumentals since he first dropped his first 12" in 2003—a split with Skepta, no less—P Jam, in 2018, is still as formidable as ever. Most recently, he partnered with Jammz for the rolling, lyrically-dense "Style", a track that saw both MC and producer push each other into new sonic vistas. A master of both club bangers and cerebral experimentation, P Jam even put out an EP with Big Narstie that saw the pair reinterpret Coldplay's "Spun A Web", with interesting results to say the least.
Now, with a collaborative EP with Trends on the way (via Terror Danjah's Hardrive Records), we collared the peerless producer to put together a selection of highlights from his arsenal of dubplates, remixes and rarities.
Tell us a bit about your selections in this mix.
As we're in a time where a lot of things are unclear in terms of the roots of grime, I thought this would be a great time to do a mix to pay homage to one of the main influences of the grime sound which, in my opinion, is dancehall.
What was the one track you absolutely had to include?
I had to include Skepta's "Stageshow Riddim". If someone asked me to point out one tune in the past 10 years that references the strong influence of the grime sound, I'd definitely pick this tune.
Any tracks that narrowly missed the cut?
There were loads that just missed the cut. In particular "Which One?" by Chimpo and Killa's Army, because I totally forgot to put it in my folder, otherwise that would've made it in there 100%.
What's the first single or album you ever bought?
Apollo Two's album, Return To Atlantis. My first experience in a record shop was with my dad; him and my godfather were actively raving to jungle them times, so Saturday afternoons at my house was like jungle school to me [laughs].
What's the last physical record you bought?
Trends and Boylan's Untouchable EP.
What do you want to see happen musically over the next 12 months?
I'd really love to see music come first again. We're in a time where the numbers and stats tend to blur our taste before we even take in the music itself, which means we're using our eyes more than our ears.
What trend or scene absolutely needs to die right now?
Black outrage being used as a marketing tool.
Tracklist:
1. Mavado - At The Top (Sh?m Remix)
2. D.O.K vs Vybz Kartel - Bend Like Banana
3. Trends vs Busy Signal - Go Down
4. Dexplicit & Trigga - Stop Chat
5. P Jam - Grime Bounce
6. Bounty Killer x Masicka - Top Rank (Terror Danjah Refix)
7. Terror Danjah f/ Jamakabi - Juicy Patty (P Jam Remix 2)
8. Skepta - Stageshow Riddim
9. Vybz Kartel - Money Pon Mi Brain (J Beatz Remix)
10. Alkaline - Pretty Girl Team (P Jam Edit)
11. Spooky - Fiesta
12. Trends f/ Riko, Killa P, Irah and Trigga - Copper & Lead
13. P Jam - Pepper Pot (vocals: Hitman / Nasty Jack / Mr Williamz)
14. D.O.K - Lego Na
15. Vybz Kartel - Peanut Shell (Trends Remix)
16. Terror Danjah & Irah - Lyrical Weapon
17. P Jam & Terror Danjah - Untitled
18. D.O.K vs Aidonia - Buddy Brucker
19. P Jam & Trends vs Chronixx - Sell My Gun
20. Terror Danjah - Red Card Riddim
21. Jae Prynse - Try Harder (Terror Danjah Remix)
