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As a DJ, you’re constantly digging for records that don’t just work on the floor, but actually stay with you after. The ones that reveal more every time you play them.
That’s exactly what I felt when I first heard the new EP from Ben Hixon on NDATL Muzik.
He’s one of those artists who has quietly but firmly become essential over the past few years. Especially if you’re into that deeper end of house music. The kind rooted in the Midwestern tradition, but never stuck in it. You can hear the influence, but it’s reinterpreted in a very personal way.
What stands out to me is how he builds his tracks. Those dusty analogue textures, slightly frayed drums, nothing overly polished. It gives the music character. And then there’s the emotional layer. Subtle, but always present. That balance between groove and feeling is not easy to get right, but he does it naturally.
You can hear that across this entire release. Taping sets the tone with that heavy, swinging groove that feels made for early evening floors. Y Do U Get So Nervous shows his ear for sampling, those small details that pull you deeper into the track. And then Area Code 336 Phone Rings, which for me really captures that loose, almost unpredictable energy that makes you want to keep it in the mix longer than planned. December Blackout takes things further inward, more reflective, almost drifting, while still holding that rhythmic pulse underneath.
This is the kind of record that doesn’t scream for attention, but earns it over time.
And that’s exactly why I wanted to take it a step further with him. Not just talk about the release, but really dig into the music that shaped his sound and his perspective as an artist.
First track on one of the best albums of all time. Wayne on Tenor (composer), Freddie on Trumpet, Herbie on Piano, Ron on Bass, and Elvin on DRUMS. Probably my most played ALBUM of my whole life. I could write so much about this album. Didnt own the actual record until i was like 19 or so, but had the CD probably in 9th grade. My Forever album. By one of my favorite musicians and composers of all time. Wayne Shorter.
I listened to the instrumental version of this album of this every day ALL day when i was a kid. When i first started making beats, i wanted to sound like J Dilla and Pete Rock. I go back and think the details of these instrumentals. Loved it. No slight to Illa J, at ALL. but i just wanted to hear all the details of the instrumentals.
I loved Eric Lau’s albums. I always thought the mixing on his albums were PERFECT. The way every instrument sat, and more and more as his albums started to have vocalists, the vocals were sounding perfect too! This is around the time i started mixing music as well as producing. So it was big for me in that way. We would play covers of his instrumentals in jazz combo w/ Mike Mitchell, Max Gerl and Matthew Babineaux.
This is actually Jon B and his band at the time of 1999 with Phillip ‘Silky’ White and Domini Quinn SupaStar. Its difficult to not just put the whole album as my 10 favorite songs of all time. I listened to this every day after high school and STILL. Probably one of the BEST RnB albums of all time. Incredible shit. I was given this bootleg looking CD by my good friend Malik. Malik grew up with Ty $ and was touring with him. Ty’s Dad was actually the trumpet player for Jon B at one point and i believe that’s how Malik knew about this. At the time, to me, it was this incredible unknown album from Jon B and Company. But it has since been put on streaming by the artists for all the world. Grateful for Malik showing me this. It definitely shaped my musical upbringing.
I’m so serious, this album is one of the best albums ever. A major piece of me.
Played guitar on this song and other songs on the album. Shout out Zach Witness. He produced and mixed the whole album. A Dallas Legend. I really credit him for showing me so much about production at such an early age. Gave me every tool i could ever ask for and more. He is really ahead of his time and age. His production credits are DEEEEEEP.
A very early Dolfin Records title. I played guitar on this also! Jon moved to Dallas around this time from Buffalo (2016). He recorded a lot of this at our house in Texas, i believe(?). An incredible album that mixes so much together in a beautiful way. Pushed the boundaries for many people all over the world.
Found out about this song through the PPU soundcloud when it came out like 2015-16. One of the best electronic albums ever. Stefan is now and incredible friend of mine and I’m grateful to have released a whole bunch of music with him. More stuff coming soon, but Stefan Ringer is how i know Kai Alcé owner of NDATL. Much love Stefan, much love Kai, much love PPU.
One of JT’s earlier releases with Legendary Chez Damier. If you didnt know, JT is a big reason i do what i do. He’s taught me alot and I’m extremely grateful for him. Also this record is amazing….. JT and Chez both have so many great records. Would be hard to do a top ten for just them ALONE. Great artists. Great people.
New release… made this song in my hotel room before the “Dance From Above” party in Greensboro, NC (hence the area code thing). I’ve played that party every year for the past few years, and they’re great people. Shout out Alvin and Danny. It was around this time that Kai hit me up saying he’d be interested in a release from me. So had to throw this one on there considering the timeline. Also will be playing the DFA party April 18th with Stonie Blue!!!
Big thanks to Ben Hixon for sharing not just the music, but the thinking and experiences behind it.
For me, this is exactly what makes an artist stand out. It’s not just about the records, it’s about the intention behind them. And when you listen back to his latest EP on NDATL Muzik, you can hear all of that come together. The influences, the details, the restraint, the feeling.
This is the kind of release that grows with you. The more you play it, the more it reveals itself. And trust me, these are the records that stay in your bag for a long time.
So take your time with it. Don’t just skip through. Let it play, front to back.
Go support the release, grab it, stream it, and if you’re a DJ, test it properly. This is deep house in its purest form.
And Ben… looking forward to what’s next.
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DJ | MUSIC CURATOR & SELECTOR | PODCAST MAKER | BLOGGER Professional online interpreneur. Coffee practitioner. Electronic music culture maven. Total music guru. Infuriatingly humble problem solver. Food & sports fanatic.
Dirty Disco episode 642 is best understood not as a collection of tracks, but as a structured listening experience. Curated and mixed by Kono Vidovic, this episode moves deliberately through […]
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