The DJ duo Many Hands (Berlin/UK) presented their Basement Soul show 20 on Scientific Sound Asia on 12 June 2020. Scientific Sound Asia is an English-language electronic music radio station, promoter, DJ agency and music-news platform connecting audiences across Asia and internationally.
Many Hands is the creative project of versatile DJs Jona J and Kava. Born Jona Jefferies in Barcelona and raised between Spain and the UK, Jona began DJing in the free-party and rave scene of early-1990s south-west England.
After relocating to Ibiza, he became absorbed in the island's Balearic beats and free-spirited club culture, returning frequently as both DJ and partygoer. Jona later settled in Bristol, where he immersed himself in the city's urban energy and sound-system culture and spent years developing his craft.
Jona gained recognition in Berlin's diverse music scene, performing at many of the city's venues before returning to the UK in 2020. His release Nocturnal, produced with Lewis Hopkin of Stardelta Mastering as Sapience, was picked up by Tom Middleton's Sound Of The Cosmos label and received airplay from Gilles Peterson, Mala and Laurent Garnier.
Originally from New Zealand, Kava has been based in Berlin for over a decade. He began DJing in Wellington, exploring Soul, Bashment, Hip Hop, Disco, House, Techno and Drum and Bass, while promoting vinyl culture and hosting several radio shows across New Zealand.
After moving to Berlin, Kava became a resident on Float Some and Jet Some, a monthly radio show with Rodi Kirk of Scratch 22 that aired on Berlin Community Radio before its closure. The role, alongside performances across Berlin venues, established his presence in the city's electronic music scene.
The two DJs met through a mutual friend at Berlin's OYE Records and immediately recognised their shared musical vision. That connection led to Many Hands and the eclectic Basement Soul sessions held in the heart of Berlin's underground scene.
Jona J and Kava's sets span Disco, Soul, Latin and Afrobeat, combining MPCs and drum machines with influences ranging from Jamaican sounds in New York to West African rhythms on synthesizers. Their performances can be quirky or intense, with selections built for the dance floor.
Many Hands' Basement Soul show 20 episode opens with Young Disciples' Freedom Suite (I) Freedom (II) Wanting (III) To Be Free on [PIAS] Recordings Catalogue, followed by Gil Scott Heron's The Revolution Will Not Be Televised (First Version). The opening balances Pop with the direct social commentary of the Gil Scott Heron recording.
The It's State Of The World on Alleviated Records brings in House Music, before MMYYKK's R&B track Manifestation / Mantra shifts the tone. Flying Lotus' The Protest on Warp Records and 4 Hero's The Awakening featuring Ursula Rucker on Milan Records take the programme into Electronica.
Eji Oyewole's Charity Begins At Home on BBE Africa introduces Afro House, with Tony Allen's Progress following it. Solat's Try Try on Mr Bongo supplies the programme's Nu-Disco turn, before Bloodfire vs Ltd's Love To The World changes the texture again.
Bugz in the Attic's Zombie 2003 on Redbud and Waajeed's Too Afraid on Dirt Tech Reck return to house-based rhythms. Mark Stewart + The Maffia's Alternative Learning To Cope With Cowardice (Flexi Version) on ON-U Sound is followed by Horace Andy's Evilest Thing (Version) and The Meditations' Roots Reggae track Life Is Not Easy on $candal Records.
RSD's Lapution City (Love Is Wise) precedes Guilty Simpson's Trap track The Time Is Now on Stones Throw Records and Tee Mango's Time Is Now on Millionhands Black. The Style Council's Pop Rock track The World Must Come Together on UMC (Universal Music Catalogue) gives way to Arnold Jarvis' Take Some Time Out (Club) on Fourth Floor Records.
Good Life's Good Life leads into Miguel De Deus' Brazilian Funk track Black Soul Brothers on Universal Music Ltda. Eddie Kendricks closes the selection with the R&B of My People...Hold On on UNI/MOTOWN.
Many Hands 'Basement Soul' Show 20 12th of June 2020
Young Disciples - Freedom Suite (I) Freedom (II) Wanting (III) To Be Free
Gil Scott Heron - The Revolution Will Not Be Televised (First Version)
The It - State Of The World
MMYYKK - Manifestation / Mantra
Flying Lotus - The Protest
4 Hero - The Awakening (feat Ursula Rucker)
Eji Oyewole - Charity Begins At Home
Tony Allen - Progress
Solat - Try Try
Bloodfire vs Ltd - Love To The World
Bugz in the Attic - Zombie 2003
Waajeed - Too Afraid
Mark Stewart + The Maffia - Learning To Cope With Cowardice (Flexi Version)
Horace Andy - Evilest Thing (Version)
The Meditations - Life Is Not Easy
RSD - Lapution City (Love Is Wise)
Guilty Simpson - The Time Is Now
Tee Mango - Time Is Now
The Style Council - The World Must Come Together
Arnold Jarvis - Take Some Time Out (Club)
Good Life - Good Life
Miguel De Deus - Black Soul Brothers
Eddie Kendricks - My People...Hold On
Listen on Mixcloud here.