Mix Of The Week: Jake Fitz At Block Dublin [Enzo Siragusa Support]

This week’s Mix Of The Week comes direct from the dance floor, just in time for the colossal Bank Holiday weekend ahead, as Jake Fitz’s hour-long warm-up from Dublin’s Block moves through the deepest of house, two-step swingers, electro and more, proper order.

Jake Fitz has garnered a name for himself as a DJ and curator, an artist who has always been ahead of the curve. That instinct is reflected in the success of his party OMNI, a project built on a slow burn and a long grind that has ultimately become hugely influential. His DJing mirrors that same trajectory, always searching for the newest, freshest sounds, championing new voices within the music and refusing to change course for anyone.

As he becomes more established, there’s a growing sense of self-assurance in his approach, both as an artist and a selector. There’s a confidence in his selections, a certain strut in the way he puts them together, and his latest live recording from Dublin’s Block, where he warmed up in support of the boss himself, Fuse label head honcho Enzo Siragusa, captures that feeling perfectly.

Jake doesn’t overcook the mixes or rush into the next track. He’s easy on the affects, self-assured, measured and controlled, but never mechanical. He lifts the energy on a knife’s edge, expertly controlling the room and never giving too much away too early. After all, this is a warm-up, and he understands exactly what the moment calls for.

The selection is classic, with no cheap tricks or unnecessary bells and whistles to create the illusion of character. They simply aren’t needed. The tracks themselves are full of soul and character, stripped-back sounds that speak for themselves, and the mixing reflects that, giving each record the space it deserves. It’s a bit like a good steak: treat it right, present it right, and there’s no need to over-season. Jake follows that rule of thumb, and it works to perfection.

As someone whose influence on what the next generation of young DJs and ravers are listening to in Dublin continues to grow, it feels as though they’re in good hands with Jake at the wheel.