TROVE 006 | Air Max ’97

For our sixth edition of TROVE, we have the Dutch-born, Aotearoa/NZ-raised now Sydney/Eora resident Air Max ‘97 on board.

Air Max ’97’s sound is buried in dance where no tempo or genre is off the cards. The audio is bassy, bright and bubbly which rings true in the audio he has selected.

Just last week, Air Max dropped his new album *forU, which features a host of gifted collaborators as the producer steps further into the rap and hip-hop worlds. Over the trip, he has also released on Batu’s Timedance label, fabric’s SELECTS I compilation along with his imprint, DECISIONS.

So, let’s see which five tracks have spoken to him lately. If you dig, be sure to save these songs down to your playlists and support the artists featured.

1.T Breezy x Walkerboy  | “Paid”

Breezy is a *for U collaborator, and Trackwork is part of my Sydney/Eora musical kin. This is a slap from the brothers’ recent full-length tape. The Utility beat is ice-cold and laser-focused, and Breezy and Walkerboy’s smart and ultra-technical bars are on full display.

2. Sevy, Seayams | “Darling / End Of Day”

This is maybe my favourite thing Sevy has ever made (apart from Crow Time, of course). Sevy is outrageously creative and outrageously slept on. One day the world will catch up!

3. imbi x Slim Set | “Heatsink”

imbi and Atro from Slim Set are *for U collaborators and local legends. This is a rare liquid jungle-flavoured linkup from a couple of years ago with a creative and playful video.

4. Current Bias | “Stimming”

Pōneke via Boorloo Boodja artist Current Bias defines their sound as ‘neuroemergent’. This thing is a full dancefloor trip with frenetic energy and an ambiguous rhythmic centre, love love love!

5. Lurka | “Red”

Lurka is a Bristol-based Timedance labelmate of mine, and a certi genius producer/engineer. All of his material is sonically unconventional yet super club-friendly. I always find at least one track on every Lurka release that I love to play in my sets. Big tip.