Compilations series’ come and go, but one that’s not only survived, yet constantly sought to evolve and provide the best in cutting edge music, is the legendary DJ-Kicks sets on !K7 Records. What’s always impressed about their releases has been their willingness to work with electronic artists new and more established alike, offering a challenge to them that differs a little from the day job.

The much respected compilation series has seen everyone from Carl Craig and Hot Chip to Kode9 and Chromeo take to its decks in its 16 years and stepping forward to take on the latest instalment is last year’s massive breakthrough story Gold Panda.

You’re probably aware of the following already, but the story of the Peckham-born producer’s 2010 bears repeating. Having stormed that year’s Great Escape Festival in Brighton and earning US Summer tour supports with both HEALTH and Autolux, Derwin came back to the UK in October to find the nation’s blogs and critics alike going crazy over his debut LP Lucky Shiner, with DJ Magazine giving it 9/10 and the NME describing it as “just blissful” – not to mention an 8.3 back Stateside from Pitchfork. The album eventually went onto be win the 2010 edition of The Guardian’s First Album Award – for the finest debut LP to be released that year, and the introverted artist suddenly found himself thrust into the limelight.

The success has snowballed into this year, with headlining tours across Europe, the US and Australia cementing his rising reputation. The chance to take a step back from the relentless schedule and put his mind to use on the latest DJ-Kicks compilation then is a welcome change in pace, not that Derwin found it an easy transition to make; “I’d never consider myself a DJ, but through doing this I’ve really become more appreciative of it. I’ve so much more respect for people that do DJ .......
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