Hot Picks: Ben Jones Steps Into the Spotlight with Acid-Dipped Debut on Solid Grooves Raw

Liverpool’s Ben Jones is a name you’re going to be hearing more of this year. As the founder of Parallel Circuit and Before Records, he’s already carved out a respected place in the UK underground, pushing minimal-leaning house with real depth and groove. Now, he takes things up a notch with his debut release on Solid Grooves Raw.

Out now, ‘Evolve’ is a sharp, acid-soaked roller built for low-lit rooms and long nights. Packed with warped basslines, crisp percussion and hypnotic energy, it marks a defining step forward for Jones. Download/stream it here: http://ffm.to/sgraw078.

“Here is a selection of tracks that never leave my record bag and other releases and labels that I’m digging…” - Ben Jones

In this Hot Picks feature, Ben shares the tracks currently lighting up his sets and inspiring his productions.

Ion Ludwig - Think Music

I have various memories of playing this track… however, the one that sticks out to me most is playing it at 93 Feet East on my debut set for FUSE/LOCUS. 

Unknown Artist - I Keep Rising

I think we all share the same memory of this one… Sunwaves, Tent 4, Priku closing on crazy beach! 

SIT - Fabricated Odyssey

I’ve always been a collector of SIT (Cristi Cons & Vlad Caia) releases, I probably play two tracks of theirs each set which can’t be helped - whether that’s a SIT production, or them solo. I’ve gained so much musical knowledge from them both over the years, and now to have my tracks played by them feels great!

Jaydee - Plastic Dreams

For me, ‘Plastic Dreams’ is a track I grew up listening to and still to this day. It will never get old, it’s a timeless piece! It always goes down well when and wherever I drop it, but I also have a selection of edits I that will be dropping on my Bandcamp over the next couple of months - keep peeled for my ‘Plastic Dreams’ edit!

Origin Unknown - Valley Of The Shadows

I grew up listening to jungle as a kid, and have a wide collection I’ve built up over the years. For me, it’s the snares! I love how they cut through in sequence at the speed it’s known for. It’s quite niche that you hear jungle these days incorporated into a set, and if there’s one that does it right it’s Enzo Siragusa. The guy knows when and how them snares should be rolled out!

LFO - LFO (Leeds Warehouse Mix)

No matter how old this record it still sounds incredible on a system. The elements really resonate to keep it sounding current and futuristic... LFOOOO! 

Housey Doingz - Curly Wurly

For me, tech house wouldn’t be what it is today if it wasn’t for Housey Doingz… Say no more! 

Robert Owens - Was I Here Before (Fire Island Vocal Mix)

Robert is a house music legend who made the genre of what house still is to this day… An incredible vocalist who I’m grateful to be working with on a release, stay tuned!

Alexis Cabrera - Modular Therapy

A great track… a stand out memory I have of playing this record has to be at Starlane London supporting Raresh and Praslea for the XTD afterparty! Also, Alexis will be releasing on my new label ‘Parallel Circuit’  (@_parallelcircuit on IG) with a very diverse four track EP very soon!

Ben Jones - Evolve

And last but not least, the track that led me here. I’ve had ‘Evolve’ in my unreleased archive for a little while, and even though I’ve recently switched up my sound, the energy throughout the drums, along with the basslines and wobbles, I thought would suit Solid Grooves really well. So thanks to Bibi and the SG team for having me come on the label!

‘Evolve’ captures a producer on the rise, pushing his sound into bold, club-focused territory. It’s out now via Solid Grooves Raw - one for the heads and the dancers alike.

Ben Jones

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