Scientific Sound Asia presents Roots 12

Event Details

After an unforgettable run as a radio series on Scientific Sound Asia and eleven successful live editions, Bicycle Corporation and Scientific Sound Asia returned to HAKU Taipei for the twelfth edition of Roots. The night continued the established focus on Afrobeat, Nu Disco, Disco and Disco Re-Edits, bringing the warm and groove-led identity of the programme back onto a Taipei dancefloor.

By the twelfth edition, Roots had developed into a familiar club series rather than simply a live version of a radio show. Marco Mei and Murphy Kin remained at the centre, giving each event continuity while allowing fresh records and different combinations to shape the night.

The series originally grew through Scientific Sound Asia Radio, where Bicycle Corporation used Roots to explore the warmer side of dance music. Afrobeat, Disco, Nu Disco, Funk, Soul and re-edits gave the programme a distinct direction while keeping rhythm and movement at its core.

Italian DJ and producer Marco Mei returned with more than three decades of international experience behind the decks. Based in Taipei, his career had taken him through clubs, festivals and underground scenes across Europe, Asia and beyond.

Marco is also one half of Bicycle Corporation alongside Italian producer Stefano Ugliano, also known as 6884. While their production work has moved through House and Techno, Marco’s DJ sets extend through Deep House, Disco House, Nu Disco, Tech House and other groove-led styles.

That broader musical range made him particularly suited to Roots, where the selections were based on connections rather than strict genre divisions. Afro-influenced rhythms could move towards Funk, Disco could lead into House, and contemporary re-edits could bring older material into a modern club setting.

Disco remained one of the principal foundations of the event because of its influence on later forms of dance music. Basslines, percussion, soulful vocals and extended arrangements gave both selectors a deep catalogue of records capable of working alongside more recent productions.

Nu Disco provided the contemporary side of that relationship. Modern producers could draw from classic Disco while adapting its rhythms, melodies and instrumentation for current DJ sets and club sound systems.

Disco Re-Edits added another layer by restructuring older recordings for the dancefloor. Extended introductions, altered breaks and longer instrumental sections allowed familiar tracks to work differently while retaining the character of the original material.

Afrobeat widened the rhythmic direction further and remained central to the Roots identity. Layered percussion, repeated grooves and live instrumentation connected naturally with Funk, Disco and House, giving the selectors another route through the night.

Murphy Kin returned alongside Marco Mei with his own long history across House, Disco and regional club culture. Originally from Shanghai and later based in Taipei, he had become active through DJing, music curation, independent events and record-label work.

Also known as DJ Lucy, Murphy developed a broad musical approach rather than remaining fixed to a single electronic genre. His interests have moved through Disco, House, Soul, Jazz, R&B, Hip Hop, Rock and other styles depending on the setting.

Within Roots, that wider background could be focused on the warmer and more rhythm-led areas of his collection. Older Disco could sit beside contemporary House, while Afrobeat, Funk and re-edits provided different ways to move across the dancefloor.

The partnership between Marco Mei and Murphy Kin had become one of the defining features of the series by the twelfth edition. They shared enough musical ground to maintain continuity while their different backgrounds and record collections prevented the format from becoming repetitive.

HAKU Taipei remained the physical home of the club series while Scientific Sound Asia maintained the connection with the original broadcasts. The venue gave both DJs the opportunity to respond directly to the crowd while the radio programme continued reaching listeners elsewhere in Asia and internationally.

That relationship between radio and events also reflected Scientific Sound Asia’s wider activity across underground music. The platform now connects its events, radio station, DJ agency and music news under the same network.

By the twelfth edition, there was little reason to change a formula that had already developed its own identity. The attraction came from hearing Marco Mei and Murphy Kin continue digging into Afrobeat, Nu Disco, Disco and Re-Edits while finding new ways to connect those sounds.

The invitation remained simple: dress cool, dress sassy, dance, feel free and bring a nice smile and attitude. That relaxed message suited a night where deep record collections and decades of experience were ultimately there to keep the room moving.

Roots 12 therefore continued the series without overcomplicating what already worked. Marco Mei and Murphy Kin once again brought Afrobeat, Nu Disco, Disco and Disco Re-Edits together at HAKU Taipei for another night built around warm rhythms, classic influences and groove.