DJ Chart: Francis Inferno Orchestra

Griffin James aka Francis Inferno Orchestra has been a part of Australia’s burgeoning underground scene since 2010, alongside fellow up-and-comers Andras Fox and Tuff Sherm. Life down under has naturally spurred him on to knock out his own unique blend of slo-mo house via heavy-handed helpings of drum machine wizardry, and he has since gone on to set up his own label, BBW, with the help of fellow Aussie Tyson Ballard back in 2012.

A steady stream of EPs has led to forthcoming LP A New Way of Living, which lands on Ballard’s Voyeurhythm imprint on 19 May. Sample-led tracks dominate the album, channelling the spirits of Dilla and Andrés I for guidance on the old MPC. Side A offers a dreamy start that carefully winds through interwoven styles, low-bit drums and fantasy pads. Side B reaches a climax on G.A.B.O.S – a title that should ring true to those who are fluent in prison lingo.

Here, though, James serves up eight tracks that have had a supreme influence on his new record – a selection that highlights big time funksters War, not to mention one of the original sources for Dr Dre’s Next Episode...

Arthur Verocai – Sylvia [Luv N' Haight]
The album which this song is from, is one of those albums that I'm kicking myself for not finding sooner. Sylvia is the highlight of the album for me but the whole thing is just really special. Especially the strings, I'm obsessed with them.

At the Drive-In – Rolodex Propaganda [Virgin]
I've been an avid ATDI fan since I was around 12 years old and this one is from the last album before their infamous split. I'm not sure what else to write about this song: it's so energetic and trippy, the band was a massive influence on me growing up, that's for sure.  

War – The World is a Ghetto (Special Us Disco Mix) [MCA]
This is one of my favourite songs to play at the end of the night, or well into the morning. It always puts a big smile on people's faces. I just love how the chorus keeps coming back and doesn't get boring for a second.

An-i – Kino-i [Cititrax]
For me this is track of the year, and I'm giving it that status because it's the only song this year that had me sit back and say "holy fuck" on first listen. The energy in the song is so intense and, as a producer, I can't help but be really curious as to how Doug Lee put this together, it's magic! It's definitely been influencing me a lot lately.

Andrés – Vibe Zone [Mahogani Music]
Anyone who has listened to my music could probably point out the influence Andrés has had on my own work, he is the perfect crossover of house and hip hop, I think. Vibe Zone is my favourite Andrés joint to date, from his first album Andrés I it shows how the art of sampling is done right.

David McCallum – The Edge [Rev-Ola]
Upon first listen you can hear where Dr Dre got his sample for The Next Episode, but I think that's the worst bit of the song to be honest. The Edge is a beautiful composition in itself but I need to give credit to Bronze Nazareth's use of it in Good Morning (A Nice Hell) because that shit is just perfect.

Panoram – Bad Request [Firecracker]
This is from Panoram's newest release Everyone Is a Door, out on Firecracker. I find the washed-out pads and the general aesthetic of Panoram's stuff really pleasing to the ears. Lately, everytime I go and start working on a new song, I will go and listen to this album to get ideas on chord progressions.  

Young Marco – Suzaku [ESP Institute]
This is from Young Marco's upcoming album Biology and is my favourite track on the album. It's so cleverly put together and has all the ingredients to make a superb dream dance ballad. He's also an amazing selector and watching him play records is a real treat.