Wherever he goes, Birmingham DJ and producer Low Steppa (aka Will Bailey) brings his extensive collection of bass house thumpers. Known as one of the leading lights in house music infused with a wall-shaking low end, Low Steppa deserves a considerable amount of credit for taking the sound worldwide, knocking out sets everywhere from Miami to the Middle East. Raised on a sturdy diet of classic house and UK garage from the '90s, that unbridled, hedonistic joy can be heard in every mix and production since his first outings in the early 2000s. First bursting onto our radar with his huge remix of Route 94's "My Love", Low Steppa quickly racked up millions of streams and has since cemented his position in the world of dance music.
Subsequent remixes for Hardrive ("Deep Inside") and Sonny Fodera ("Always Gonna Be") consolidated that position and all remain essential ingredients within their sets. Besides the remix and production side, Low Steppa has also made his own label Simma Black a certifiable success. We took a trip out to Croatia with Relentless and Defected this summer to see Low Steppa in action (on an actual moving boat). You can hear that mix back exclusively below, and get to know more about Steppa on the flip.
Tell us a bit about your selections in this mix.
There are a lot of my own edits and tracks in there as always, a few in there that I always love to play, and then some totally off-the-cuff random ones thrown in as well. I never plan my sets so it's all down to how I feel on the day and what I feel from the crowd.
What was the one track you absolutely had to include?
Supernova's remix of Soul Central's "Strings Of Life" had to be included, what with it being Defected, and to be honest I play it a lot anyway for several reasons. There are some records which I used to play years back that take me back to old times, and it's a special feeling for me now that I'm playing events like this.
Any tracks that narrowly missed the cut?
Well, I did really want to play the new Roog track, "Hilo", out now on Simma Black, and for some reason it's not in the mix so I guess it slipped my mind on the night, which is a real shame.
What's the first single or album you ever bought?
The first piece of vinyl I bought was a Tuff Jam single in 1999, but one of the first albums I bought on cassette was Prince's Purple Rain.
What's the last physical record you bought?
The last piece of vinyl I bought was an Ashley Beedle track with Lay-Far and Darren Morris called "Doctor Feelgood" on Local Talk, which is one of my favourite labels. The last CD I bought was Noel Gallagher's Who Built The Moon? LP, and very rarely do I buy a CDs.
What do you want to see happen musically over the next 12 months?
I would love to see genres within house music become less of a big deal and see parties with more of a mix; not just tech-house, for instance.
Tracklist
1. Soul Speech – Morning Light
2. FISHER – Losing It
3. Alex Gaudino Feat. Shena – Watch Out
4. Elio Riso & Lucio Spain – Breaking Minds
5. Daniel Ratueke – Yeah
6. Low Steppa – The System
7. Dennis Quin & Shermanology – Move Out Of My Way
8. Mele – Chi Town
9. Mele – Chi Town (Mixed)
10. Robiin – Do You Like (Original Mix)
11. Cuartero – Nosy Neighbours
12. DJ Ganyani Feat. Layla – Talk To Me
13. Sonny Fodera – Always Gonna Be (Low Steppa Remix)
14. Cristoph – Prisoner
15. GW Harrison – When House Takes A Journey GRECO f/ Rowetta – Be (Original Remix)
16. BROHUG – Be Brohug
17. Hazzaro – Make My Day (Original Mix)
18. Fisher – Stop It
19. Archivo Sonoro De Television – Efecto De Sonido De Alarma Nuclear
20. Franky Rizardo – Same Man
21. Little Helpers – Little Helpers 03
22. Davina Moss – Pyschedhouse
23. 22 Weeks – Happy Monday
24. Angelo Ferreri & Ralph C – K-Busted (Original Mix)
25. Junior Gee – Kerfuffle
26. Dole & Kom Feat. Seth Schwarz –Fly Bar
27. Kostha & Elio Kenza – Shoes (Original Stick)
28. Spencer K & Matt Sassari – Isuly (Emanuel Krivit Re-Edit)
Relentless powers your summer with a soundtrack from Defected records and curated line-ups at festivals and events at Number 5. For information on events, visit www.relentlessenergy.com.
