TuneLab
EXIST
When EXIST—the duo of Atjazz and Karizma—take over Mixmag’s DJ Lab, you know you’re in for a masterclass in deep, soulful house that treats the dancefloor with both reverence and a sly sense of humor. The vibe is warm, knowledgeable, and slightly dusty, like the best kind of record shop backroom session. Technically, it’s a lesson in groove science, averaging 122.3 BPM and firmly rooted in the lush, inviting key of 12A, with nods to 3B and 8B for harmonic spice. The energy is mid-range dominant (0.60 avg), meaning the drive comes from intricate percussion, swinging basslines, and those priceless vocal snippets, not brute force.
It’s mixing that feels conversational, with tracks finishing each other’s sentences. For crate diggers, the set is a goldmine. Opening with Michael Jackson’s ‘Wanna Be Startin’ Somethin’’ is a bold, brilliant move that sets a funky, celebratory tone. Martin Iveson’s ‘Cobra XL’ is a deep, jazzy roller, while Giulio DJ’s ‘Edit D'algerie’ offers a touch of North African flair.
Jam’ On’s ‘Myrijo’ is a hypnotic, percussive cut, and Karizma’s own ‘Bounce B*’ is a swinging, sample-heavy weapon. The eleven-minute deep dive into Rhythm & Sound’s ‘Mango Drive’ is a masterstroke of dubby minimalism. The journey from that iconic MJ opener through the disco-fied edits of G.Q.’s ‘Disco Nights’ and Frico’s take on it closes, perfectly, with the smooth, timeless glide of ‘Rock With You’. This tracklist is for the heads who know that soul isn’t a BPM, it’s a feeling.