Scientific Sound Asia presents Roots 7

Event Details

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

By the seventh edition, Roots had developed into a recognisable part of the HAKU programme rather than simply a live extension of a radio show. Marco Mei and Murphy Kin remained at the centre, giving the series continuity while keeping each event fresh through new selections and different combinations of music.

The concept originally grew through Scientific Sound Asia Radio, where Bicycle Corporation used Roots to explore the warmer side of club music. Afrobeat, Disco, Nu Disco, Funk, Soul and re-edits gave the programme a distinct identity while retaining the dancefloor focus behind the wider Bicycle Corporation project.

Italian DJ and producer Marco Mei returned with more than three decades of international experience behind the decks. Based in Taipei, he had spent years performing across Europe, Asia and elsewhere while developing a broad musical style covering House, Deep House, Disco House, Nu Disco, Tech House and related underground sounds.

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 have always allowed considerably more room for Disco, Funk and other influences that fit naturally into the Roots format.

That range allowed him to move between older dance music and contemporary production without treating the styles as separate sections. Afro-influenced percussion could lead towards Funk, Disco could move into House, and modern re-edits could bring familiar material back into a present-day club setting.

Disco remained one of the main foundations of the night because of its continuing influence on House and modern electronic dance music. Strong basslines, percussion, soulful vocals and extended arrangements gave both selectors a large catalogue of music capable of working alongside newer 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 systems.

Disco Re-Edits added another layer by restructuring older recordings for the dancefloor. Longer introductions, extended instrumental passages and rearranged breaks allowed familiar records to sit comfortably beside modern music without losing their original character.

Afrobeat brought another rhythmic foundation to the seventh edition and widened the musical territory further. Percussion-heavy grooves and repeated instrumental patterns connected naturally with Funk, Disco and House, making the style an important part of the Roots identity.

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 had become active through DJing, music curation, independent events and record-label activity.

Also known as DJ Lucy, Murphy developed a reputation for broad selections rather than restricting himself to one narrowly defined genre. His musical interests have moved through Disco, House, Soul, Jazz, R&B, Hip Hop, Rock and other styles depending on the setting.

Within Roots, that breadth could be directed towards the warmer and more groove-driven side of his collection. Older Disco could sit beside contemporary House, while Afrobeat and Funk provided alternative routes through the night.

The partnership between Marco Mei and Murphy Kin had become one of the defining elements of the series by this stage. They shared enough musical territory to create continuity while bringing different backgrounds, record collections and approaches to the booth.

HAKU Taipei remained the physical home of the event while Scientific Sound Asia maintained the connection with the original radio series. The club setting allowed the same musical idea to operate differently, with the selectors reacting directly to the crowd rather than programming solely for broadcast listeners.

That relationship between radio and events also demonstrated the wider reach of Scientific Sound Asia across Asian underground music culture. The organisation continues to connect its history through its events, radio station, DJ agency and music news sections.

By the seventh event, there was no need to reinvent the concept because the musical identity was already established. The attraction came from hearing Marco Mei and Murphy Kin continue exploring Afrobeat, Nu Disco, Disco and re-edits while finding different ways to connect them on the dancefloor.

The invitation remained suitably simple: dress cool, dress sassy, dance, feel free and bring a nice smile and attitude. It captured the relaxed character of Roots, where deep record collections and decades of experience were used to create an enjoyable night rather than an overly serious display of musical knowledge.

Roots 7 therefore continued the formula that had carried the series through its first six editions at HAKU Taipei. Marco Mei and Murphy Kin once again brought together Afrobeat, Nu Disco, Disco and Disco Re-Edits for a night centred on warm rhythms, classic influences and the simple pleasure of a good groove.