Ranj Kaler delivers an effortless mix filled with deep breaks, house and prog…

Ranj Kaler is a name becoming more regular on the global scene. After losing his DJ residency at the start of the pandemic, he used the lockdown to focus on music production. Within six months, he was releasing tracks on labels like ARRVL and Four Candles’ Keep Thinking, alongside attention grabbing reworks of Sade and Kate Bush. Since then, he’s released music on labels including Capital Heaven and Foxtrot Alpha.

Never one to stick to a single genre, Ranj’s productions blend house, breaks, techno, and electro, creating a distinct sound that has earned him support from a long list of DJs from John Digweed, to Hernán Cattaneo. His talent has also made him a sought-after remixer, with labels like Hooj Choons, Pangea, and Laika Sounds commissioning his work.

On this 90 minute mix Ranj delivers a smooth mix of deep breaks, house, prog and more that feels vital. Featuring productions from Framewerk, Danny Howells, Sébastien Léger and more, this is an effortless mix showcasing Kaler’s dynamic track selection.

Tracklist
1. Alexander Church – Cala D Hort (Ranj Kaler’s Pixelated Remix) {Configurations Of Self}
2, Mista Twist & Latex Zebra – Biology (Johnny B Remix) {Foxtrot Alpha}
3. Alexander Church – Derwentwater (Ranj Kaler Floating Remix) {Configurations Of Self}
4. DIM KELLY & Mondingo – Homily {All Day I Dream}
5. Blake Jarrell – Our Little Secret {Ray Of Light}
6. Brent Lawson – Sonic Horizons (Framewerk Electro Dub) {Pro B Tech}
7. Kamilo Sanclemente – Parallax (Ranj Kaler’s Immortal Remix) {Voodoo & Prayers}
8. Secretly Famous – Inspired {Sound Avenue}
9. Parra for Cuva – Pinie (Sébastien Léger Remix) {Parra for Cuva}
10. Danny Howells – Sister Said {Bedrock}
11. Liam Garcia & Keef Luv – C D A (Dimi Mechero Remix) {Stripped Digital}
12. Noise Generation & VoidShift (SL) – Sound Of Moha (Paul Hamilton Remix) {Resonate Together}
13. Edu Schwartz – Dazzling Lights {Stripped Digital}
14. Steve Parry – Won’t You Believe? (Dachshund Remix) {Selador}
15. Fordal – Grabbing Smoke (Aubrey Fry Remix) {Twelvepoint}

Balance Selections Q+A

Name: Ranj Kaler
Location: London, UK
Alias/Producer name: Ranj Kaler
Labels affiliated with: Stripped Recordings, Configurations Of Self, Dissident
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My last 3 releases

What music did you listen to as a child?

My parents weren’t into music, but I spent time with my neighbor’s older kids, who were into early ’80s jazz-funk. It wasn’t until Street Sounds released the Electro albums that my fondness for music turned into an obsession.

When was the first time that you realised that you liked electronic music?

It was the first time hearing the Yellow Magic Orchestra’s track Firecracker. Blew my mind.

When was the first time you saw a DJ in a club?

I was 13 and I managed to get passed the security for the Empire in Leicester Square in London. The music was 80’s Jazz Funk but then the DJ played Planet Rock and the place erupted.

Which producers/artists/acts inspire you?

Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis after hearing The SOS Band’s album Just The Way You Like It. Also Arthur Baker, The Latin Rascals, Aldo Marin, Hashim as well as Depeche Mode and Kate Bush. More recently Sasha and his whole camp (Charlie May, Barry Jamieson etc) Orbital, Aphex Twin, James Holden the list goes on.

What was the last album that you downloaded/purchased?

What is your current production and DJ setup like?

I have a very basic setup. I use Ableton with a Push 2, mainly sticking to the stock Ableton library sounds and Valhalla for reverb. I firmly believe that limitations spark creativity. For my DJ setup, I still use my 40-year-old Technics 1210s with a simple Behringer mixer. I also have a Pioneer controller, but I’m a big fan of Algoriddim’s Djay Pro AI software, which I control through my turntables using DVS.

What releases do you have on the horizon?

I have a four-track EP called Sphere coming out on November 5th via Stripped Recordings. Additionally, I have a few remixes in the works, including one for Kamilo Sanclemente’s track “Parallax,” set to release on Voodoo and Prayers.

Where can we hear you perform?

You can hear me weekly on my radio show The Midweek Recovery, every Wednesday night 11pm till 1am on London Music Radio. DJ gigs are few and far between at the moment but I will be playing Harder, Faster in Vauxhall, London in December.

Tell us more about the podcast you made for Balance?

This mix was recorded live in one take, the old-fashioned way, using my decks along with Algoriddim Djay Pro AI. I put together a playlist of about 50 tracks and just went for it.

The top track in my DJ set currently is: