Scientific Sound Asia presents Roots 11

Event Details

After an unforgettable run as a radio series on Scientific Sound Asia and ten successful live editions, Bicycle Corporation and Scientific Sound Asia returned to HAKU Taipei for the eleventh edition of Roots. The night continued the established focus on Afrobeat, Nu Disco, Disco and Disco Re-Edits, keeping the series centred on warm rhythms and groove-led dance music.

By this point, Roots had developed into a familiar part of the HAKU programme with Marco Mei and Murphy Kin at its centre. The concept remained consistent from one edition to the next, while changing selections and new records gave each event its own character.

The series originally grew from Scientific Sound Asia Radio, where Bicycle Corporation used Roots to explore the warmer side of its musical interests. Afrobeat, Disco, Nu Disco, Funk, Soul and re-edits gave the show a distinct identity while maintaining a strong connection with the dancefloor.

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 broad collection made him particularly suited to Roots, where musical connections mattered more than strict genre boundaries. Afro-influenced rhythms could move towards Funk, Disco could lead into House, and modern re-edits could place older material into a contemporary club context.

Disco remained one of the principal foundations of the event because of its influence on later forms of electronic dance music. Basslines, percussion, soulful vocals and extended arrangements gave both DJs a deep catalogue of music capable of working naturally 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. Longer introductions, extended instrumental sections and altered breaks allowed familiar tracks to work differently while preserving the character of the original material.

Afrobeat widened the rhythmic direction further and remained a key part of 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 club culture in the region. Originally from Shanghai and later based in Taipei, he became 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 directed towards the warmer and more rhythm-focused areas of his collection. Older Disco could sit beside contemporary House, while Afrobeat, Funk and re-edits provided different routes across the dancefloor.

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

HAKU Taipei remained the physical home of the event while Scientific Sound Asia maintained the connection with the original broadcasts. The club setting allowed the DJs to respond directly to the room 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 currently connects its events, radio station, DJ agency and music news under the same network.

By the eleventh edition, there was little reason to change a formula that had already developed its own identity. Marco Mei and Murphy Kin could continue exploring Afrobeat, Nu Disco, Disco and Re-Edits while finding new ways to connect those sounds for the HAKU crowd.

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 experienced selectors and deep collections were ultimately there to keep the room moving.

Roots 11 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.