Many Hands DJ duo return on Friday with 'Basement Soul' 58.

Originally from New Zealand and the UK, the DJ duo Many Hands, now based in Berlin, have just released the playlist for episode 58 of Basement Soul. The programme airs on Scientific Sound Asia, a radio station dedicated to electronic music and aimed at expats, locals across Asia, and an international audience.

Many Hands was formed through the creative partnership of DJs Jona J and Kava. Jona Jefferies, known as Jona J, was born in Barcelona and spent his formative years between Spain and the UK. His journey as a DJ began during the early 1990s, immersed in the UK’s free party and rave scene in the southwest.

He later moved to Ibiza, where he was drawn to the island’s Balearic sounds and hedonistic culture, returning frequently both as a performer and music enthusiast. Following his time in Ibiza, Jona relocated to Bristol, a city renowned for its vibrant sound system culture.

There, he refined his DJ skills and deepened his connection with underground music. Eventually moving to Berlin, he became a familiar name on the city’s dynamic scene, performing regularly at various venues. In 2020, he returned to the UK to continue developing his music career. One of his key releases, Nocturnal, produced with Lewis Hopkin under the alias Sapience for Tom Middleton’s Sound Of The Cosmos label, received acclaim from notable figures such as Gilles Peterson, Mala, and Laurent Garnier.

Kava, originally from New Zealand, has been based in Berlin for over a decade. His musical roots lie in the thriving scene of Wellington, where he explored a wide range of genres including Soul, Bashment, Hip Hop, Disco, House, Techno, and Drum and Bass. In his early years, he was active in record distribution and hosted numerous radio shows on various stations throughout New Zealand.

After relocating to Berlin, Kava became a regular contributor to Float Some and Jet Some, a monthly radio show hosted by Rodi Kirk (Scratch 22) and formerly aired on Berlin Community Radio. His performances across the German capital further established his presence as a versatile DJ with a global perspective.

The duo first crossed paths near Berlin’s OYE Records through a mutual friend and quickly discovered a shared passion for diverse musical influences. This connection led to the formation of Many Hands and the birth of their event series, Basement Soul, a blend of dancefloor exploration and warm, intimate gatherings held in a small underground basement in central Berlin.

Their shows are known for blending rhythmic and harmonic elements across a spectrum of styles. Drawing inspiration from Disco, Soul, Latin, and Afrobeat, their sets incorporate live elements like drum machines and MPCs. The pair channel the spirit of Jamaican artists in New York, West African synth pioneers, and European funk collectors. Their sound balances offbeat creativity with dancefloor focus, playful and adventurous, yet always rooted in groove.

Many Hands open episode 58 with the Afrobeat-rooted Take a Trip by Medlar and Dele Sosimi, flowing into funk and jazz instrumentals from The Mighty Tiny & The Many Few and a soulful Crooked Man remix of Cymande’s Coltrane. Doechii’s Bullfrog injects leftfield experimental hip hop energy, followed by bass-heavy dub from J-Walk and Atki2.

The midsection heats up with two custom edits by Jona J: Sweet Bounce and Weh Yuh Find This, both rooted in Dancehall Reggae. Electronic textures surface with Harry Baldi’s dubby I Can’t Kick This Feeling and groundsound’s Equal Righters. Recloose and Patti Austin bring electronic soul and R&B tones, while Naomi Akimoto’s Speak Low weaves jazz and synth-pop.

Later, Musclecars, John Beltran, and Sergio Mendes contribute Disco Soul and Latin House vibes, including remixes by Maurice Fulton and Justin Strauss. Diogo Strausz and Gambian Disco Express keep things rhythmic and funky, before Gyedu-Blay Ambolley delivers Afro Jazz with a classic highlife flair.

The final stretch shifts toward Deep House, highlighted by Raf Reza’s Pineapple Island and soulful remixes from Kenny Larkin and Yvonne Turner. House veterans like Jeff Mills and The Mighty Zaf close the show alongside Balearic and dub-inflected cuts from TPO and Barry Brown, rounding off an eclectic and groove-filled session.

Be sure to tune in live on Friday, July 4th, 2025, from 8 PM to 10 PM Indochina Time (ICT), and don't miss the re-airing on Tuesday from 8 AM to 10 AM (ICT).

Many Hands 'Basement Soul' episode 58.

Medlar feat. Dele Sosimi - Take a Trip [Delusions Of Grandeur]

The Mighty Tiny & The Many Few - The Reward [ÅND&]

Cymande - Coltrane (Crooked Man Remix) [BMG Rights Management UK]

Doechii - Bullfrog [Top Dawg Entertainment]

J-Walk - Bubbles on the Line [Before I Die]

Atki2 - Galaxy Zoo [Frijsfo Beats]

DJ Frass & Stefflon Don - Sweet Bounce (Jona J’s Xtra Riddim Edit) [Promo]

Ding Dong - Weh Yuh Find This (Jona J’s Mash Up Di Dance Edit) [Promo]

groundsound - Equal Righters [Equiknoxx Music]

Harry Baldi - I Can’t Kick This Feeling [We Play House Recordings]

Recloose - Throw Up Your Hands [100 Limousines]

Patti Austin - Body Language [CTI Records]

Naomi Akimoto - Speak Low [JET SET]

musclecars - Hello (Maurice Fulton Remix) [BBE]

Sergio Mendes - Mas Que Nada (Justin Strauss Remix) [Past & Present Records]

John Beltran - O Pátio [MotorCity Wine Recordings]

Diogo Strausz - Caramba [Razor-N-Tape]

Gambian Disco Express - Enlightenment Is Now (12Tree Remix) [Hot Piroski]

Gyedu-Blay Ambolley - Highlife [Africa Seven]

Raf Reza - Pineapple Island [Star Creature Universal Vibrations]

Sade - Surrender Your Love (Kenny Larkin Remix) [Illegal Detroit]

Love Tempo - Change for the Better (Yvonne Turner’s Freestyle Mix) [Pow Wow Records]

Infinity Plus One - Stand for Love [Cyphon Recordings]

Jeff Mills - Methane Bubbles [Axis]

The Mighty Zaf & Linkwood - Yokai ['80s]

TPO - Hiroshi’s Dub (Milo’s Garage Dub Mix) [Above Board Projects]

Barry Brown - Unity Is Strength [Tribes Man Records]

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