Bakongo Mix
Here to takeover Tapes #49 is London based DJ & Producer Bakongo.
When it comes to London sound it’s hard to overlook what ground Wayne Goodlitt has covered under his first alias Roska. He’s been at the forefront of UK underground music, merging genres and pushing UK Funky for just over a decade. Roska uses many styles and influences, including his Jamaican heritage as well as South African house.
In 2019, Wayne decided to change his style and focus more on his second alias, Bakongo. Adding elements of broken techno, tribal house, and keeping the genre-blending elements we’re used to hearing. This led to his EP release on Livity Sound and he’s currently working on a live show where we will see more great things from Bakongo!
Tracklist
Gregor Salto x BCUC - Bangene
Karizma - Earth These Beats
Bakongo - Not235
Bakongo - Level Cowbell
Bakongo - Oww
KiiMi - Breaking My Mind
Bakongo - Ashy
Wookie - Zambezi
Jerrih - Caliente
Bakongo - No Cake, No Cheeze
Bakongo - Grainy
Arma - Sequencing
Dom877 - Tranformed
J. Tijn - Every Mickle Mek A Muckle
Bakongo - Tribal Warrior
Yass - Yassoul
KTM - Agression
Tribal Brothers & DJ Polo - Three Tribes
KTM - Disturbance
Bakongo - Frozen Isle
DJ Gregory - Looke
KTM - No Emotions
Hey Wayne. Thanks for your super drummy donation to our Tapes Series! Why don’t we start with introductions? Where are you based at the moment?
I’m originally from London. I now live in Kent.
Tell us a bit about the inspiration behind the mix. When and where did you record it? Favourite track inside?
I recorded the mix in my studio. I generally go for nice grooves and raw drums when it comes to Bakongo mixes with quite a minimal amount of melody in each track. Favourite track in this one is KTM - Disturbance.
As many of your supporters already know, you also produce under the name Roska - a UK Funky pioneer! Describe your relationship between these two aliases. Do you find they overlap sometimes - with some elements of your Roska productions in your Bakongo tracks or vice versa?
The difference between the two is, Roska is more of a colourful pallet, I work with vocalists and it’s more of a known brand. I’d say it’s more digestible than Bakongo. Bakongo is more experimental leaning towards Afro-house, Tribal-house, UK Funky too and a hint of Techno.
Tell us about your most recent double tracker ‘Thirteen/Level Cowbell’ out on Trule.
This project was an exciting one for me as Al Wooton and I, who runs the record label the release came out on, were around during the same era back in 2010 and we’re back together full circle and still creating.
For those music nerds out there, describe your studio setup.
I generally use a lot of software over hardware but I use a Macbook Pro with FL Studio or Logic X, a lot of Native Instruments plugins and I have a big sample library spanning over 15 years.
What’s next in the pipeline for Bakongo? More Livity-esque drumwork to come?
I’ve got a project with Scuba incoming this year plus a track dropping on a compilation too.
Time for some quick fire Qs: Bass or Percs?
Both haha!
6am closing track?
DJ Gregory - Block Party
Favourite city for partying?
I have a few - Toronto, Tokyo, London and Bristol.
Thanks so much for joining us!