Following EPM’s 10 Year celebrations with a special ‘classics’ mix from EPM’s own Oliver Way we now bring you a Logos Recordings label showcase, mixed by main man Samoil Radinski. Brining all of the label’s sumptuous deep house and electronic influences into a fluid 1hour mix, Samoil has helped to put Macedonia’s dance scene on the international stage.

Samoil is a DJ/Producer who has actively promoted electronic music since the very beginning of the movement. At first through work in his own CD club '''Sago" where he worked strictly with underground music and then with the opening and managing of the first electronic music club in Macedonia ''Sputnik'' where he began to work professionally as a DJ. He also worked as a promoter and now hosts radio shows that feature house and techno music, appears in TV shows, performs as a DJ throughout the country and abroad. He is one of the founders of the promoter organization Balance and for a couple of years he lived in Prague, Czech Republic, where he performed at established clubs and festivals like Creamfields. Besides the work behind the decks as a DJ, he also works on his own music production which is why he started Logos Recordings. Having promoted and performed with Derrick May, Kevin Saunderson, Carl Craig, Kenny Larkin, Gene Farris, Fabrice Lig, Funk D' Void, Mr C, Christian Smith, Samuel L Session, Vince Watson, etc. Samoil is very rightly at the forefront of the new European dance music vanguard.

Q&A with Samoil Radinski (Logos Recordings)

1. Please give us a quick walk through your selection. Why did you choose these tracks for the mix?

I made the choice spontaneously, leaving music to flow, so that only beautiful melodic harmony prevails. The mix is a combination of released and unreleased Logos Recordings tracks.

2. How did you first get involved in dance music? What were your first clubbing experiences in Macedonia?
I get involved in dance music with the opening of the CD club, in the middle of the 90s elated by the sound of Italo Disco, Funk, Acid House…etc Bringing the first albums of Plastikman, Laurent Garnier, Underworld, the beautiful Dave Clark electro mix “Electro Boogie”, the whole episodes X-mix…etc. At that time i had my own radio show in which i presented electronic music. i started to organize parties with DJ’s from the neighbourhood: Greece, Serbia…etc. The first experiences in the clubs were positive and euphoric.

3. How has Macedonia’s dance scene evolved over the years?
The dance scene in Macedonia started in the early 90s with organizing parties by some radio DJs. Later, several party organisations were formed. A couple of clubs were opened where we listened to electronic music. In 1998 the first real party happened which was followed by a special décor, new sound, lights and incredible DJ sets of DJ Dimitri from Amsterdam, then Mr C, Derrick May, Kevin Saunderson, Kenny Larkin, Carl Craig… The scene evolved through the years, new organizations, clubs, festivals…. Almost all international DJs began to play from different genres of the dance music. Today there are many organizations throughout Macedonia and many labels have started.

4. What was it like running parties in Macedonia? What were the best and worst experiences?
Organization of the parties was not simple, renting places, clubs, sounds, lighting, decor, marketing…etc it was very expensive, it was hard to find sponsors and the price of the tickets was low. The best experience i have ever had was in 2000 when Derrick May came to Macedonia in Ohrid, for the first time, nobody do not know who he was, what kind of music he plays and then on the beach by the Ohrid Lake the most amazing party happened that i will remember forever. The worst experience i had in 2001 the New Years Eve (a gig with Gene Farris), that same day we had a car accident, Gene Farris missed his flight so we had to arrange transport to Sofia, Bulgaria. The party ended with big loss and the only consolation was the beautiful Gene Farris set ☺

5. What elements do you look for as an A&R for the label when new artists approach you with music?

My challenge is to discover talented new musicians but I want to work and with already acclaimed artists. I want a fresh and innovative sound, music that i will always listen to. Sincere artists always create wonderful music.


6. When Macedonia declared independence from the former Yugoslavia in 1991 how did that change the mentality of the people? Did it have a positive impact on the music scene?

☺ The mentality of the people has not changed drastically; some people were OK for those changes, some against, we lived nicely with the neighbours and before the transition, not hit by any major changes, although there was a tense period. Music scene has not changed because for the good musicians there are no limits. It is positive that the Macedonian music scene was formed.

7. As a DJ what record never leaves your box?

Those are a few records: Rhythm is Rhythm – Icon, Underground Resistance – Electronic warfare, Laurent Garnier – The man with the red face.

8. Please give us an insight into the artists on Logos.

In these 3 years Logos Recordings has signed agreements with 35 very talented artists from all around the world, starting with the Macedonian artists Denny Trajkov, Igor Zotik, Goran Kan aka Kerkez…, Then followed the Japanese Artists: Yasuo Sato, Itokim, Takasi Nakajima, Rio Shimizu, Miruga..., The Detroit artist Niko Marks, French artists: The Florian Muller Project, Jules Wells, Hughes Gibolay.., Serbian: Motorcity and Nino Sebelic, the Italian artists Bhonz, TR, Moko’s Vibe, passEnger,.., Not to forget the German artist Alex Agore. Then, the well known Vince Watson, K-Alexi, Norman Chung, DJ 3000… The Australian: Sidearms, Russia: Alex W., The Belgium artists Kid Whisky, Trish Van Eynde…etc, and this year Logos will present one young and very talented musician from Africa.

9. You have DJed alongside many of the world’s greatest DJs. In your eyes, who was the best?

Yes, i promoted and played with many of the world’s greatest DJ’s, and they all are masters on their own way. But for my taste the best is Derrick May.

10. Please give us your top 5 ‘All Time House Records’.

Hard question ☺ but i would mention the following House Records:

Glenn Underground - G U Essentials pt 3
DJ Q – TwentyFour7even
Basement Jaxx – Samba Magic
DJ Sneak - You Can't Hide From Your Bud
Ian Pooley - Since Then

http://logos-recordings.com/