Medlar
By: Dream Chimney
The following interview was conducted on April 11, 2025
Medlar is about to drop his stunning new LP ‘Islands’ on Delusions of Grandeur. The long-time underground favourite has gone from his roots playing illegal raves in the South of England to building up a cultured catalogue that bounces between house and garage.Medlar has long been part of the underground conversation and his new album ‘Islands’ is an altogether different proposition, one that is less reliant on samples than his previous works, making for a perfect blend of retro authenticity and future freshness.
After a hard night at the club, we ask Medlar to take us back to his for the afters. The lights are low, the drinks are flowing, the shoes are off. This is the playlist.
Other People Place - Let Me Be Me
It's still dark out and we just rolled in, waking up my entire building. Kicking things off with this, still up tempo but moving towards something a bit deeper. This album reminds me of the mid-2010s era, working at Rye Wax Records in Peckham and staying hours after my shift finished, chatting about records and whatever else was going on back then.. good times!
Patrick Cowley - School Daze
Energy is still up, and like the tree in the woods; is an afters even an afters if no Patrick Cowley records are played? I say no. A prolific artist with a whole aesthetic to himself; sleazy, synthy, chuggy deranged disco.
Medlar ft Rebekah Reid - Midnight Cicadas
Some light is starting to creep in through the window. This is my favourite track from my new record 'Islands, featuring Rebekah Reid, a South London based violinist extraordinaire. She performs incredible sets with a live-looping setup and released 'Selected Works Vol 1 in 2023' which is on repeat in my flat.
Wally Badarou - Echoes
This has become one of my favourite records of all time. I had the pleasure of meeting Wally at the Bussey Building (RIP), when Dele Sosimi and I warmed up for him. As we left the stage, I'll never forget he said to me, "thank you for keeping the beat alive". Probably the coolest moment of my existence..
Doc Scott - Blue Skies
The sun is starting to pour in, let's hit some light ambient jungle/d&b. This one is a bit of both and perfectly engineered by Doc Scott. I have a different favourite classic Metalheadz track every week of the year.
Holy Ghost Inc - Walk On Air (Sunandmoon mix)
A song I discovered from the incredible David Mancuso / The Loft CD compilation. This one is everything I love about early 90s deep electronic music; fizzy lightweight percussion, deep bass and has an almost spiritual feel to it.
Donna McGhee - Make It Last Forever
The sun is fully pouring in at this stage and we don't want to go to sleep.. and it's another long one as I don't want to get up every 2 minutes to change the record. This is a record I've never played in a set but it has such an uplifting, cinematic vibe I love it.
Carlos Santana and John McLaughlin - Love Devotion Surrender
Psychedelic masterpiece from 2 of my favourite musicians. This record has some amazing contrasts, blissed out meditative moments move into distorted chaos and back again. It opens into an amazing version of John Coltrane's Love Supreme.
I Am The Center; Private Issue New Age Music in America 1950-1990
Possibly my favourite compilation. This was recommended to me by Gavin at Underground Solushn, otherwise known as Other Lands (fka Fudge Fingas). Ultra deep... I'm nearly ready to kick all of these weird strangers out of my flat.
Don Cherry - Organic Music Society
At this point the conversation has dried up and I want everyone to leave my flat so we're sticking on Brazilian ceremonial hymn and burning some sage.
Check out the latest release from Medlar.