Ruben Mandolini’s Party Playlist
Ruben Mandolini, DJ & Producer originally from Prato (IT), was captured by music at the age of 13 leading him to learn new instruments such as the guitar, keyboard and modular synthesizer later. He then started to attend the most influential clubs in Tuscany, discovering electronic music which excitement led him to begin his career as a DJ in some of the smaller clubs in the province. In this new growing culture of house and techno he was able to devote himself to Djing and then naturally moved to music production.
Ruben’s unique approach to his sound and his recognisable style brought him to be noticed by some notable and respected labels such as Defected, Toolroom, Kitsune, Snatch!, Terminal M, Suara, Great Stuff and Area Remote to name a few and with collabs/remixes with/for Todd Terry, Airplane, Coyu, Ramon Tapia, Piemont, The Junkies, Danilo Vigorito, Mario Ochoa, Macromism and The Deepshakerz among others.
Ruben Mandolini – The Revelator (Original Mix) [Flashmob Records] My most complete production of this year for many reasons: groove construction, melodic line and a quite unique and unconventional vocal. I am very happy that it was released as a single on Flashmob Records, an Italian label that is getting stronger and I am looking forward to working again with its super team in the near future.
Dj Oliver & Alvaro Smart – My Brother (Original Mix) [DFTD] One of the house tracks of the moment that I like to play the most! Groove and bassline create an incredible hypnotic loop. The pluck synth that accompanies the whole track and a very cool male vocal make this record an explosive mixture for the dancefloor. DFTD never disappoint!
Ruben Mandolini – Unica (Original Mix) [Armada Subjekt] One of my last tracks which I am very proud of. Inspired by some 90s trance melodies, every time I play it it’s magic: the various synths mutually intertwining, the engaging bassline and the vocal in Italian create altogether a “unique” atmosphere. Try it to believe it!
Andrea Oliva – Jam Table (Marco Faraone’s Love Is A Lie Remix) [Truesoul] An atomic bomb, no better words to describe it. Although my friend Marco Faraone is quite used to similar records, I must admit that this remix is simply unbelievable. It’s the perfect record to play in clubs when it’s time to push with more powerful music and at higher bpm. PANIC!
Unknown7 & Sessanta6 – Sweat Cherry (Original Mix) [Desolat] A masterpiece released on one of my favourite labels, produced by Italians Unknown7 & Sessanta6 with the beautiful voice of Dani Siciliano. A record that I often start my sets with, in order to give a boost and move up to the next level. A mix of tribal percussion, with a bouncy and original tom line, finely mixed with Dani’s sensual voice. It’s pure fire!
Ruben Mandolini – Also! (2015 Rework) [Snatch! Records] This track can never be missing in my DJ sets. It is the record that has made me renowned worldwide. Over the years it has been greatly supported by many great artists and a lot of radio shows; even today, the fans of this track do not “allow” me to finish the set if I don’t play it!! Its characteristic vocal cuts make it quite unique. Many times, while I was playing it, I realized everyone was singing it: it felt unbelievable! I’m really proud of what this track has managed to do. PURE LOVE.
Ray Mono – Esperanza (Original Mix) [Moxy Muzik] A fantastic record. I played it the whole summer and I will continue to do so. It’s a great minimal record with a fast bassline and synth that generate hypnotic percussion, in pure FUSE style. Also, when that 1980s vocal enters, it turns into a track able to please even the most difficult public. In my opinion, one of the strongest and most effective productions of 2019.
Simone Liberali Feat. Jinadu – Landslide (Original Mix) [Saved Records] Big production made by my friend Simone Liberali. I have played this record so many times that I know it by heart. Its peculiarity is to be adaptable to any situation: whether you play it in a club with 200 people, at a festival or on the beach, it will always drive people crazy. Also, Jinadu’s unmistakable vocal makes this production original and unique. This track was released on a great label I have been collaborating with for years, Saved Records by Nic Fanciulli.
Ben Hemsley – NE29 (Original Mix) [South Of Saturn] You have arrived at the peak moment of your set and you need a track in pure old school style to blow up the dancefloor? This is the disc for you! A heavy kick and an analog bassline turn around an infernal synth in pure hard techno style. Quite different than usual, therefore inevitable to insert in the digital suitcase. What a bomb!
Ruben Mandolini – Romantica (Original Mix) [Lapsus Music] In the exact moment I finished this record, I realized that I had created a truly original track, different from everything else I had done until then! Its melody enters people’s mind, as shown by the over 35.000 tags registered on Shazam. The long break at the end, when the melody and the voice break off and the stabs begin to repeat themselves creating a deadly drop, this is undoubtedly my favourite moment of the record. A great production released on a label I am very grateful to, Lapsus Music by my friends Supernova that I love to play every time in my DJ sets!
