Digging deep: Tama Sumo & Christian AB

Friday 15th December marks a special night at Horst Club: two pivotal house music deejays are making their way to Asiat Park for a night of deep, steady house music. One, a seasoned veteran with over two decades of experience, and the other, a relatively fresh face on the scene steadily championing today's vinyl revival. Tama Sumo, a stalwart in the industry, shares the stage with Christian AB, who has consistently brought a breath of fresh air to the musical landscape today.

While Tama Sumo's legacy spans over twenty years, Christian AB emerges as a dynamic force in the ongoing vinyl resurgence. Though seemingly situated at opposite ends of the house music spectrum, their unique sounds prove to be not only distinct but also wonderfully complementary when united on a lineup. The only time they shared a club line up before was at the illustrious Panorama Bar in Berlin, where Tama Sumo has been a proud resident since 2004.

Elevating the excitement are two pivotal figures from Brussels' underground music scene – Adi and Bjeor. Adi, a globetrotting talent hailing from Colombia, not only excels in deejaying but also in producing music, unveiling her debut album in 2020 on the Brussels-based imprint Basic Moves, helmed by Walrus. Bringing Bjeor into the lineup makes the whole thing come full circle: a day-one resident at Horst and an indispensable local figure in Belgium's house music scene, heavily influenced by the likes of Tama Sumo and Christian AB.

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"It is fundamental to my work as a DJ that I manage to let the music, the crowd, and myself run freely. I have to turn off my head and go with the flow. This always is the challenge, but if it works out, it's big fun."
_{— Tama Sumo}

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Every DJ's favourite DJ: Tama Sumo

For those fortunate enough to have witnessed the mesmerizing performances of Kerstin Egert at Berlin's infamous Panorama Bar, a unanimous sentiment emerges — Tama Sumo rightfully stands as one of the cornerstones in today's deep house realm. Some deejays are not just practitioners; they are passionate virtuosos who actually live for the craft, and witnessing them perform leaves you with no choice but to acknowledge that they reside at the absolute zenith of their game. Tama Sumo is exactly that.

Tama Sumo's personal narrative resonates deeply with the essence of house music — that of a gay woman raised in a conservative environment, who courageously embarked on a journey to find a more accepting and understanding community. While this aspect of her life remains unknown to most audiences, it undeniably imbues her sounds with a profound dimension, enriching her selections. Authenticity in music is often elusive, but when Tama Sumo spins house, she does so with a purpose that aligns with the genre's foundational intent: to convey a message of love and understanding.

Since her residency at the Berlin institution Globus (Tresor's second room, often catering to house enthusiasts) in 1991, Tama Sumo has, in her own words, continuously evolved her style, erasing the boundaries between techno and house by no longer rigidly separating one from the other. Starting in 2001, she became a highly sought-after guest at the 'Dance with the Aliens' queer parties at the now-defunct OstGut (Berghain's predecessor), and by the end of 2004n she seamlessly transitioned to the resident roster of the then new Panorama Bar/Berghain. A residency that has been a defining force in her career, shaping her musical journey up to the present day.

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Forgotten gems, killer cuts: Christian AB

Christian Browne, more commonly known as Christian AB, is one to watch in today's vinyl loving community in Berlin - after moving there from London. Christian is likely to play the electro-influenced house cuts you think you've heard before - but then you didn't. A Christian AB set is surprising, playful, and a masterclass in vinyl deejaying. No stranger to Horst, Christian AB first graced the festival in 2022 setting the 'Hovering Caress Amère' stage ablaze, unknowingly playing the exact same building that now houses the new Horst Club.

Christian is not just an exceptional DJ; he boasts an impressive track record of productions and releases as well. He takes credit for two outstanding releases on Francesco Del Garda's 'Timeless' imprint, the first in 2021 and the latter in 2023. His latest EP, a solid four-tracker on his close friend Quest's label 'La Nota Del Diablo,' showcases his signature sound, often self-described as a 'dark elegance' in house music. Christian's sonic palette blurs the boundaries between deep house, electro, and minimal, constantly exploring captivating contrasts among warm melodies, deep bass lines, and rugged yet funky drums.

Pairing him with Tama Sumo for Horst Club #9 was a no-brainer. Tama, a seasoned veteran, has likely been on Christian's radar since his early clubbing days. Despite seemingly occupying opposite ends of the house music spectrum, their unique sounds not only stand out individually but also harmonize beautifully when combined in a lineup. Tama Sumo, a seasoned legend in old-school deep house with occasional techno twists, complements Christian's more techy and minimal-influenced house style. Together, they're headlining our 9th Horst Club night as undeniably two of the best house DJs out there.

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"Though seemingly situated at opposite ends of the house music spectrum, their unique sounds prove to be not only distinct but also wonderfully complementary when united on a lineup."

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Basic moves, playful manners: Adi

Colombia rooted and nowadays firmly rooted in the deepest of Brussels underground sits Raquel Rivera-Lys, more commonly known as Adi. She's the driving force behind the 'For Playful Manners' together with Walrus, and is no stranger to the Basic Moves label. Since 2013 Adi has been exploring deejaying various ways, heavily influenced by a diverse soundscape from latin jazz and soul to psychedelic and experimental music. She has an outspoken knack for oddball rarities and unconventional tracks, and the way she puts it all together is nothing sort of perfection. Her set at waking life is a textbook example of what Adi stands for musically.

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"I've always been heavily inspired by both Tama Sumo and Christian AB. Sharing the stage with the two of them in the club I helped build is nothing short of a full circle moment for me!"
_{— Bjeor}

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Horst honcho and house head: Bjeor

Familiar face and Horst's day one resident Bjeor was a fairly evident addition to the line up catering to the discerning tastes of house enthusiasts. With a presence spanning nearly a decade in Belgium's electronic music scene, Bjeor has become an integral name in the contemporary deep house landscape, gracing stages at almost every Belgian club and festival podium.

Renowned for his skill in navigating the deeper grooves, Bjeor draws heavy inspiration from the two distinguished guests he shares the lineup with: Tama Sumo and Christian AB. This convergence marks a full-circle moment for our head of production, adding an extra layer of significance to his role in shaping Horst Club #9.

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This club night will be elevated with a pole dance performance by Jezebel Studio.
Tickets for Horst Club #9 are available here.
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