Born in Montpellier, France, with roots in Ghana and a home now in Brooklyn, each mix from Afro-house DJ and producer Patricia Baloge calls on that heritage.
The disco-flecked grooves of France's house music and the colourful, driving rhythms of Ghana have given her choices and selections a wholly unique identity of their own. More than that, Baloge's international upbringing exposed her to dancehall, Algerian Raï music, Congolese Ndombolo music, pop, R&B, electro and hip-hop, all of which she incorporates into her personal brand of Afro-house music.
We got in touch with Baloge to supply a mix for us and she certainly delivered. In just over 30 minutes, Baloge weaves together a seamless, fluid voyage through her Afro-house collection. Between the echoing synths and relentless West African rhythms, you'll be plunged into a trance-like state, losing yourself completely.
Tell us a bit about your selections in this mix.
For this house mix, I'm taking you on a trip for something energetic. It's sonically raw, a bit dreamy, with some groove to it. You'll also hear a lot of drums. I have something for percussions and drums; there's something spiritual about them that I can't really explain.
What was the one track you absolutely had to include?
The one track I absolutely had to include was Fatoumata and Juan's remix of Mabiisi's "King". It's an absolute delight to my ears.
Any tracks that narrowly missed the cut?
Oh yes! "Mental Image" by Soulem. I urge you guys to go take a listen. It's a trip!
What's the first single or album you ever bought?
The first album I ever bought was a Negro Spiritual compilation. I was 11 years old, so I don't remember its name, but I had a thing for choir voices so with the money I had collected at the time, I bought myself a 4-hour compilation of Negro Spirituals.
What's the last physical record you bought?
The last physical record I bought was "Uyai" from Ibibio Sound Machine.
What do you want to see happen musically over the next 12 months?
I want to push my musical boundaries by releasing more tracks. I'm currently working on an EP and different collaborations that I can't wait to share. I also want to share my musical landscape by Djing much more.
What trend or scene absolutely needs to die right now?
Fear of individuality. It's time that more of us understand that the homogenous world we were born in is gradually disappearing, giving space for all of us to express the core of who we came here to be in very distinct ways. It's time we unapologetically embrace what makes us different and accept each other's unique ways of seeing the world.
Tracklist:
1. Oxygenbuntu f/ B'utiza - We Bafana (Original Mix)
2. Chaim & Jenia Tarsol Feat. Rabo & Snob - Wrong Diagonal
3. Mabiisi - King (Fatoumata & Juan Remix)
4. Four K - Kususa
5. Lagom - Diamond Dealer
6. DJ Supta, DJ Mreja & Neuvikal Soule - 67 Minutes
7. Elowgo - Hope
8. Somandla - Mzala Wa Afrika
9. KeeMo & Tim Royko f/ Cosmo Klein - Beautiful Lie (KeeMo's Terrace Mix)
10. DJ Merlon f/ Mondli - Never Again
11. Da Capo - Dinokeng
