The Trippin Mixes, Vol. 27: Abadir

ABADIR
© Omar Elkafrawy

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The Egyptian producer recreates a 90s summer with this infectiously fun mix of chart-topping hits.

Across Egypt's diasporic underground scene, artists have been morphing various genres into new mutations. Take, for example, Cairo-based producer 3Phaz who's driving forwards Egypt's post-shaabi wave. Another example is Abadir: a Cairo-born and Berlin-based producer crafting bassy, club mutations from a panoply of Arabic rhythms. For Abadir, mutation is one of the overarching themes within his work.

This is most clearly demonstrated on his landmark release on SVBKVLT in 2022, entitled Mutate. The LP celebrated the Shanghai label's 50th release with nine heavyweight tracks designed to be deployed as club ammunition. Across the release, Abadir incorporates the sounds of Jersey club, reggaeton and footwork, weaving them with Arabic percussions.

Read ABADIR's guide on where to eat in Cairo

His newly-announced album, Ison, marks SVBKVLT's 60th release and it sees the producer chart off into a different direction: creating transcendent, choral sounds that feel more attuned to the morning after the club than the night itself. It presents Abadir's vision of a contemporary Sunday mass, inspired by Coptic chants and Syriac hymns – the latter influenced by his time spent at a Syriac community club he used to visit with his parents on Sundays and in the summer. Musically, Abadir evokes the works of Bach and Steve Reich on Ison, and weaves in field recordings of not only Coptic and Syriac sounds but also Maronite, Greek Orthodox and Catholic choirs.

On his Trippin Mix, Abadir reminisces over his past summers – particularly those of the 90s. Here, the producer once again demonstrates his breadth of tastes, veering away from chants and hymns to the dopamine-soaring hits that climbed the charts. It's crafted from precisely 50 tracks that journey through pop, Eurodance, trance, house and more. "I consider fun an essential factor when it comes to making music, listening and dancing," he writes. "We somehow miss the fun element. Now That’s What I Call Fun!"

Tracklist

  1. Fatboy Slim – Weapon of Choice
  2. Stereo MCs – Connected
  3. Deee-Lite – Groove Is in the Heart
  4. Adamski – Killer
  5. Robin S – Luv 4 Luv
  6. Nightcrawlers – Push the Feeling On
  7. The Bucketheads – The Bomb
  8. Everything But the Girl – Missing (Todd Terry Remix)
  9. Sisqo – Thong Song
  10. The Course – Ain’t Nobody
  11. Mousse T. – Horny ‘98
  12. Madison Avenue – Don’t Call Me Baby
  13. Moloko – Sing It Back
  14. Spiller ft. Sophie Ellis-Bextor – Groovejet (If This Ain’t Love)
  15. Modjo – Lady (Hear Me Tonight)
  16. Stardust – Music Sounds Better With You
  17. Phats & Small – Turn Around
  18. Bamboo – Bamboogie
  19. Wildchild – Renegade Master
  20. Double 99 – RIP Groove
  21. Tina Moore – Never Gonna Let You Go (Artful Dodger Mix)
  22. Sweet Female Attitude – Flowers
  23. Shanks & Bigfoot – Sweet Like Chocolate
  24. Gala – Freed from Desire
  25. David Morales Presents The Face – Needin’ U
  26. Armand Van Helden ft. Duane Harden – You Don’t Know Me
  27. The Chemical Brothers – Hey Boy Hey Girl
  28. Opus III – It’s a Fine Day
  29. Chicane ft. Moya Brennan – Saltwater
  30. Ultra Naté – Free
  31. Corona – The Rhythm of the Night
  32. Livin’ Joy – Don’t Stop Movin’
  33. La Bouche – Be My Lover
  34. Jamiroquai – Canned Heat
  35. Sonique – It Feels So Good
  36. Ann Lee – 2 Times
  37. DJ Quicksilver – Bellisima
  38. Alice Deejay – Better Off Alone
  39. Sash! – Encore Une Fois
  40. ATB – 9 PM (Till I Come)
  41. The Underdog Project – Summer Jam (DJ F.R.A.N.K.’s Summermix Short)
  42. Paradisio – Bailando
  43. The Prodigy – No Good (Start the Dance)
  44. Faithless – Insomnia
  45. Underworld – Born Slippy
  46. Goldie – Inner City Life
  47. The All Seeing I – Beat Goes On
  48. Touch & Go – Would You?
  49. Roni Size / Reprazent – Brown Paper Bag
  50. Apollo 440 – Ain’t Talkin’ ‘Bout Dub