Kaamin
Kaamin Selects: Digging Beyond Charts and Mainstages (December 2025)
As a producer and DJ with nearly a decade immersed in the electronic music industry, I’ve often found that the most captivating records rarely sit at the surface. Beyond the charts and festival mainstages lies a world of tracks and artists whose brilliance often escapes the spotlight. Kaamin Selects is a new editorial series dedicated to unearthing these hidden treasures, music that resonates deeply yet remains overlooked. Each month, I’ll be curating ten selections: a blend of forgotten gems, overlooked releases, and rising sounds across genres that thrive outside the mainstream gaze.
Eugene Pascal – The Ballad of Billy Bob
Part of a three-track vinyl release, which also features a remix from the legendary Terry Francis , this cut from Marseille’s rising DJ and producer stands out as a testament to timeless groove. Released on Berlin-based label Kann, the project is filled with solid material, yet the B1 track, The Ballad of Billy Bob, is the one that truly caught my ear. Its arrangement carries a distinctly retrospective feel, evoking the spirit of earlier eras, while the polished synth work injects a distinctly 2025 character. The groove remains steady and unpretentious, but it’s the intricacy of the topline, and how seamlessly it weaves into the rest of the production — that makes it remarkable. The result is a track that feels both nostalgic and forward-thinking, and one that’s bound to ignite the dancefloor.
Reece Walker & Qnete – The Tribute
Released on Leipzig’s QC Records back in 2022, this two-tracker opens with “The Tribute”, a tune that drifts effortlessly between house and techno. It’s got a darker shade to it, but never heavy-handed. The drums keep things laidback, almost groovy, while the bassline and top arps bring out a moody, hypnotic edge. What really stands out is how stripped yet effective it feels — the bassline is minimal, cleanly processed, and every element has its own room to breathe without stepping on the other. It’s a track that finds its strength in balance, subtle but striking.
Cosenza – Dance With Me
Nu Zau and Sepp’s UVAR have just unveiled Voices of Giving, a 27-track charity compilation released exclusively on Bandcamp, with all proceeds over the first two weeks supporting a local organisation working with children with disabilities and the elderly. It is a strong body of work overall, but Cosenza’s Dance With Me immediately stood out.
Built around the iconic Age of Love vocal, the track leans heavily into early ’90s rave territory, but it never feels gimmicky. Cosenza keeps things simple and lets the groove breathe, using nostalgia as a reference point rather than the whole idea. A stripped-back bassline carries the weight, while washed-out pads sit in the background and slowly open things up. It takes its time getting there, but once it settles, the groove feels locked in.
The acid line is what really makes this one work. It is used sparingly, dropping in at just the right moments and adding bite without stealing focus. When the original vocal finally comes through, it lands naturally and adds an emotional lift rather than a big payoff moment. Everything about the track feels considered, from the sound choices to the pacing, making it easy to enjoy both as a listening record and as something that would sit comfortably in a late-night set.
El Bomba – Bronco Funk
Breaks with a laidback, house-infused vibe, free from the overblown drops and dramatic buildups always feel like hidden gems, and this track nails it. The drums are a proper throwback, echoing old-school hip hop textures but delivered at a dance-floor-friendly tempo. A broken beat pattern sets the mood right away, while the bassline hooks you in with its playful call-and-response energy. Subtle vocal touches and a slick guitar lick keep the flow engaging, especially in the lower-energy passages and transitions. Released in 2021 on Bournemouth-based label Cuttin’ It Fine, the track comes from El Bomba, an artist with just two followers on SoundCloud at the time. Proof that you don’t need big numbers to deliver a proper funky breaks weapon.
Moises & Karimun – Sub-mit
This Dutch duo may have only a modest digital footprint, with a single public track uploaded to SoundCloud, but that one release is nothing short of a revelation. It channels the spirit of old-school deep tech house, opening with a sparse drum pattern and a handful of bass notes that create just enough intrigue to sustain the tension. As the track unfolds, a rolling bassline emerges, tinged with acid textures and fragmented vocal phrases that push it into hypnotic territory rather than straight-lined tech house. Each new element is introduced with intent, never feeling forced, and the arrangement maintains a natural, effortless flow. It’s the kind of track that slots perfectly into a warm-up set, subtle yet captivating. For now, it remains unreleased beyond SoundCloud, though I was fortunate enough to receive a copy directly from the artists.
Lauhaus – Iziziz
Released in 2022 as part of the debut compilation on Saturn Drive, it’s one of those tracks that lodges itself in your head and refuses to leave. The drums carry a warm, rolling character, their repetitive groove accented by subtle FX details that keep the flow alive. The bassline shifts beautifully between sustained notes and melodic runs, creating a sense of movement that feels both fluid and purposeful. On its own, the instrumental is strong, but the vocal hook is what really lifts this track into another realm. Sparse yet perfectly timed, the chopped phrases reinforce the hypnotic energy without ever breaking the momentum. It’s part of a four-track vinyl release that also includes an Alain De Saracho remix, which reimagines the tune in a more tribal direction.
Midnight Traffic – Morung
Midnight Traffic comes through strongly this month with a newly released eight-track EP on Qilla Records, a label whose hypnotic, immersive aesthetic has remained remarkably consistent over the years. This release sits comfortably within that framework while highlighting the depth and control in Midnight Traffic’s approach to production.
One track in particular stood out for me, stretching just over six and a half minutes and unfolding like a slow-burning journey rather than a linear club tool. The groove holds your attention from the outset, while subtle, hypnotic embellishments gradually shape the atmosphere without ever overwhelming the core rhythm. It’s the kind of track that rewards patience, both as a listener and as a DJ.
The EP has already found support from several respected selectors worldwide, and it’s easy to see why. These are tracks built to last, translating naturally onto the dancefloor and continuing to reveal new details with each play.
Asphalt DJ – You Don’t Know
Berlin-based artist Asphalt DJ has quietly built a reputation for delivering dancefloor-focused cuts that resonate well beyond their initial release. Over the past few years, his productions have found their way into respected underground clubs and festival sets, consistently earning their place through groove rather than excess.
His recent EP on the prestigious R.A.N.D Muzik label is no exception, quickly gaining traction in record stores while also seeing a strong digital response. The track thrives on patience and restraint, favouring simplicity over spectacle. It opens with a straightforward drum pattern that sets the foundation before gradually revealing its full form.
The defining moment arrives around the one-and-a-half-minute mark, when the bassline slips in and anchors the track. Its stripped-back nature recalls early ’90s and 2000s trance and tech house, lending a familiar warmth without drifting into nostalgia. Subtly syncopated synth lines build on this foundation, adding movement and texture while keeping the groove intact. The result is a versatile, well-balanced cut that feels at home across a range of dancefloor contexts.
Throwback Special: Shonky – Solar [2006]
Originally released nearly two decades ago, Solar is a reminder of why Shonky remains one of house music’s most instinctive craftsmen. Even today, the track feels quietly absorbing, revealing something new with each listen. It opens with a tightly focused combination of kick, bass, and a hypnotic arpeggio, and within seconds the groove draws you in without needing any embellishment.
What’s striking is how naturally Shonky’s intuition holds up over time. The production is sparse but rich in character, relying on subtle shifts in texture and timing rather than overt progression. The track doesn’t chase dramatic evolution; instead, it maintains a steady, immersive tension that gradually warms the room. Those minimal yet carefully placed elements never lose their impact, making Solar a timeless, system-ready cut that continues to work effortlessly on the dancefloor.
Mix of the month: Roza Terenzi @ Kiosk Radio 22.11.2025
Australian-born, Berlin-based Roza Terenzi has long been on my radar for her ability to balance raw energy with control, and this one-hour session for Kiosk Radio is a strong reflection of that instinct. Rather than relying on big moments, the mix unfolds with a steady, confident flow that feels considered from start to finish.
Moving seamlessly between house, electro, progressive, and techno, the selection never feels scattered. Each transition serves the wider narrative, making it one of those mixes I found myself returning to rather than skipping through. It’s the kind of set where you’re equally likely to be caught Shazaming a track or simply letting the groove take over. A well-paced, engaging listen that fits naturally into the Kaamin Selects ethos of depth, flow, and long-term listening value.
Kaamin Selects is about looking past algorithmic recommendations and toward music that’s driven by intent rather than exposure. Many of the artists featured here operate quietly, without chasing the spotlight, but their work deserves attention. If something resonates, support it directly by purchasing the music or following the artists on Bandcamp, Beatport, SoundCloud, and social platforms.
Kaamin Selects lives on Instagram as well. Follow for monthly selections and deeper dives into underground music.
