Hyp 230: Olsen

Despite being a member of the Transmission collective and a regular booking at his native Manchester’s popular four20 night, Olsen has managed to remain relatively under the radar. His debut album ‘Totoro’ on London-based House label Super (owned by Ninja Tune affiliate Raffertie) was released with little promotional hype, yet still managed to gain a significant following thanks to the gorgeously assembled Jazz-infused aura across its nine versatile tracks. Suitably compared to the work of Floating Points, the long player was a collection of dance floor heat with notably serene tendencies and a firm assimilation of his varying influences, from Deep House through to Samba.

Olsen is set to play at London collective comm•une’s second birthday this Saturday June 27 alongside Outboxx, K15 and Tenderlonious at Dalston’s Dance Tunnel. In the run-up we’ve got him on mix duty this week where he treats us to an exclusive Jazz mixtape, demonstrating his extensive knowledge of the sounds that influence his own work. It includes pieces from a range of Jazz pioneers including the legendary Herbie Hancock and two numbers from acclaimed pianist Lonnie Liston Smith. The mesmerising ‘Piece Of Mind’ from late drummer Idris Muhammad, which features on his 1974 album ‘Power Of Soul’ makes an appearance alongside an exuberant song from Texan Jazz flutist Bobbi Humphrey – 1973’s ‘Jasper Country Man’.

It’s a rewardingly encyclopedic mix and one in a series that Olsen has been compiling over the years. Here’s what he had to say about Hyp 230:

‘Creating a mix of club tracks at home, for me, doesn’t feel right. I can’t get into the same head space as I would in a club, so I started more of a mixtape series, of which this is the fourth. It’s geared more towards Jazz, Funk and Latin with a strong meditative feel. For me this kind of music has been a strong influence from a young age and is perfect for getting into the right head space for creating.’

Hyp 230: Olsen by Hyponik on Mixcloud

Olsen plays comm•une 2nd birthday special June 27 at Dance Tunnel, London. Tickets available here.

1. Yusef Lateef – Like It Is
2. Lonnie Liston Smith – Sais (Egypt)
3. Idris Muhammad – Piece of Mind
4. Herbie Hancock – People Music
5. Bobbi Humphrey – Jasper Country Man
6. Mongo Santamaria – Iberia
7. Lonnie Liston Smith – Shadows