Friday, 9 October 2026

Point Blank Radio, always rooted in the spirit of pirate radio, continued its mission of broadcasting underground music to London and beyond on October 9th. The station, famously described by The Guardian as delivering "Quality house music, not too much chat", once again lived up to its "NO SHORTCUTS. NO HYPE. JUST PROPER UNDERGROUND MUSIC, BROADCAST THE WAY IT SHOULD BE" tagline. The evening saw a diverse lineup, each selector carving out their own distinct sonic narrative.

Zaki kicked off the proceedings with a set that felt like easing into a dimly lit space, a gentle invitation rather than an abrupt demand for attention. Lucy Hawkins' "Gotta Get Out Of Here" started with a soft focus, giving way to the hazy, rhythmic textures of Beard in Dust's "Ambivalent Intelligence Dub." The mood was contemplative, evolving into a pleasant nostalgia with Retrofract's "Summer Nights '86," a track that shimmered with an almost vintage glow, setting a relaxed but engaged tone for the night ahead.

Paul Quinton followed, quickly injecting a more kinetic energy into the air. The set opened with Nightly Closures' "Bad Jazz (Lone' Re-twist Mix)," a track that immediately showcased Lone's knack for blending intricate rhythms with a vibrant, almost technicolor sound. This smoothly transitioned into the classic house sensibilities of CloudOceans and Phillip O's "Remember (Original Mix)." Ian Pooley's remix of Tush's "Push" brought a refined, deep house groove, reflecting Pooley's long-standing connection to a soulful, often Brazilian-influenced house sound. The unexpected but welcome interlude of Mystic Merlin's "Mr. Magician" provided a soulful, disco-tinged detour before Moon Stepper and Hotmood's "Deeper Still (Radio Edit)" brought it back to a contemporary, feel-good house. ROTSCH’s "Tell Me Your Name (Original Mix)" rounded out the set with a solid, compelling rhythm, solidifying a varied but cohesive journey.

Blush picked up the reins, diving headfirst into a sophisticated deep house session. PA. Dre's "Nobody's fault (Instrumental)" set a smooth, unhurried pace, allowing the subtle complexities to breathe. Darren Roach’s "The Truth" maintained that understated elegance, leading into Black Loops' "Higher," which brought a touch of 90s UK and early 00s NY house influence with its funk, soul, and disco undertones. The set continued to build with Appleheadz's "Hold Your Turtles" and Inland Knights' "Slummin It," the latter showcasing the Nottingham duo's signature deep, groove-laden house. The pairing of Damian Schwartz & Guti's "Salson" closed the set, a track hinting at the jazz and Latin-influenced rhythms often found in Schwartz's work, providing a sleek, tech-leaning finish.

JUJU Muzik then took over for what proved to be an extensive and adventurous exploration of sound. The initial salvo of Temp O'Neil tracks—"Take Me Home," "IN HEAVY (The Inhabitants)," "Outter Limits," "A Kiss Is Just a Kiss," and "KMYF Telling you Now"—laid down a consistent, almost meditative groove, establishing a clear sonic identity early on. This was followed by the soulful, intricate layers of Patrick Gibin's "I Like to Show You feat. MdCL, Javonntte," leading into the vocal depths of Oddball Creatives' "Wondering & Wishing Like Me (Vocal) (feat. Kameela Waheed & Colin Steele)." The set then shifted, bringing in Project 16 with Tempo O’Neil again on "Beauty Comes," before Clockwork’s "Running Searching" added a subtly different texture. Romanthony’s "Trust (Mia Dora Remix)" was a standout, reminding listeners of his unique, soulful vocal presence and his profound influence on house music. The journey continued with Project 16 and Tempo O’Neil's "Its Alright, Its OK," maintaining a soulful, almost gospel-tinged house feel. The inclusion of two Moodymann tracks, "The Thief That Stole My Sad Days [Ya Blessin Me]" and "I Can't Kick This Feeling When It Hits," provided a masterclass in Detroit deep house, with his distinctive blend of techno, soul, funk, and raw samples that insist on the genre's black roots. ManooZ's "Jack The Bass" and BRS's "Spring Dom" kept the momentum, before Marcus Paulson’s "Public Housing" brought a darker, more reflective tone. Steven Julien's "AFTERS" (with 808 PRINCE) offered his characteristic blend of rhythm-led, hardware-driven house, touching on jazz, soul, boogie, and techno. The set concluded on a high with Kokoroko's "Abusey Junction," a vibrant infusion of jazz-funk, Afrobeat, and spiritual soul that felt like a beautiful, grounding moment after such an expansive voyage.

Mr Nipsy followed, bringing a more overtly vocal and energetic house flavour. The set started with the uplifting "Party Town (Raffaele Ciavolino Remix (Radio Edit))" by Mirko Donnini and Venessa Jackson, immediately establishing a bright, accessible tone. Saliva Commandos' "Help Me Lord (I Feel Good) (TR859)" kept the energy high, followed by the driving rhythm of Kenny Magnum, Mister Jones, and Roel's "Easy Game (Roel Remix)." The IZM.'s "a foundation for something" provided a brief, thoughtful interlude before Wh0's "Burnin' Deep - Extended Mix" cranked up the intensity again. The set then culminated with First Choice's "The Player (Acapella)," a classic vocal moment that underscored the set's focus on powerful voices and a celebratory atmosphere.

BenLogics closed out the night with a focused, deep dive into drum & bass history. The set kicked off with JMJ & Richie's "Free La Funk," a foundational track that immediately locked into an intelligent, emotive jungle rhythm. This was followed by the intricate breaks and atmospheric depth of Jonny L's "This Time (Jonny L & Roni Size Mix)," a track that perfectly encapsulates the creative synergy of its contributors. Voyager's "Long Distance (Promised Land VIP Mix)" then brought the evening to a close with soaring melodies and a deep, immersive soundscape, leaving a lasting impression of sophisticated, well-crafted electronic music.