Five days, five mixes. RA.999 launches with two of the 2020's most exciting techno producers tearing a portal to the future.
When it comes to purveyors of contemporary hardgroove, it's hard to top 1morning and Regal86. The duo have emerged from a buzzy, and decidedly funk-oriented techno scene on the American West Coast, repping Los Angeles and Monterrey respectively. Bound by a shared love of old-school flair and intuition behind the decks, you'll often find Regal86 ditching headphones altogether in favour of studying waveforms in real time, while 1morning's vinyl-only sets are steered by the movements of the dance floor and the fire in his heart.
So it comes as no surprise that we had to invite them back in session. In the last week before we celebrate the 1000th RA Podcast, we'll drop five back-to-backs over the course of the week. From the NYC Downlow to Berlin's Bar25, what unifies this cohort is a sense that they capture where dance music has been—and crucially, where it's going.
Kicking off the week, we have this exclusive recording from the duo's co-headline show at New York's Bossa Nova Civic Club—the "extra special" final stop of their recent US tour. As the first instalment of RA.999, this one-hour set makes a strong case for what it means to achieve ultimate freedom in the booth.
Regal86 and 1morning might be known for their raw, swung techno explorations, but here, their more sensual leanings carry the most impact. You'll find hardgroove's very own daddy Ben Sims, Paul Mac's 2002 melodic beauty Struggling Event and the lavish stomp of Percy X's As Is. And, of course, it wouldn't be a Regal86 and 1morning linkup without a healthy dose of Mexico City rising star—and the former's frequent sparring partner—1OO1O.
But really, this mix proves just how perceptive the two are. It opens a portal into the beating heart of groove-first techno, masterfully flowing between impulse and restraint, tradition and modernity. And who are we to resist?
@bregal86
@1morning
Find the tracklist and interview at ra.co/podcast/1004