WAJATTA

A live set from Wajatta—the duo of Reggie Watts and John Tejada—is a fascinating proposition. It’s the meeting point of absurdist vocal improvisation and pristine, minimal machine music. We tune in partly for the technical prowess, partly for the delightful uncertainty of what Reggie might do or say over those impeccable grooves. The Lab LA provides a clean, clinical backdrop for this experiment, where every sequenced hi-hat and freestyle scat is given equal weight.

This is a masterclass in tech house and minimal techno, operating at a cool 125.8 BPM and harmonically centred around the complementary keys of 12A and 3B. The live element means the set feels organic and slightly unpredictable, with Tejada's razor-sharp production providing a grid for Watts's playful explorations. The energy is deeply focused on the low and mid-range, creating a pulsating, hypnotic pocket that's both physical and cerebral. The track selection supports this vibe perfectly.

They open with the driving, vocal-sampled groove of LEON & Shaf Huse's 'Can't Truss', before journeying through the progressive sheen of Jaytech's 'Overdrive'. The deep, melancholic journey of Vakabular's 'Over My Life' acts as an emotional centrepiece, while their own track, 'Runnin'', provides a fitting, melodic finale. The arc is one of deepening immersion, starting with accessible tech-house, peaking with the extended narrative of 'Over My Life', and concluding with the warm, familiar embrace of their own production.