Max Essa And David Harks Release A Clean Trip EP From Paper Recordings
Artists Max Essa and David Harks are having a banner year with their releases from Paper Recordings, one of the world’s best-loved independent record labels. Their EP A Clean Trip, which dropped on July 10th, creates a wonderful fusion of soul and Balearica. “Lobster Boys,” the lead track which debuted on May 29th, calls to all curious minds. The song sets the mood for a lyrical, slow, grooving modal desert stomp. And with fans now able to enjoy the full EP, they can get pumped up for the remix edition arriving October 30th.
“Big blissful Balearic business by the 2 chaps which is sounding very nice indeed!” declares the Paper Recordings team of Essa and Harks’s A Clean Trip.
Who Is Max Essa?
The two artists are longtime staples of the Balearic music scene. Max Essa has been active as a DJ and producer since the early 90s, initially releasing music on labels including Warp Records and Paper Recordings and DJing alongside the infamous D.i.Y Sound System. His later work, for labels like Is It Balearic? Recordings, went on to be play-listed by legends such as Andrew Weatherall and David Mancuso, gaining him a devoted following and DJ bookings around the world. Albums for the Japanese major label, Victor Entertainment (Vacations Never Taken, 2015) and Music For Dreams (Lanterns, 2018), plus EPs for the Italian label, Hell Yeah! Recordings and a constant stream of remixes for labels like Compost, Ubiquity, Faze Action and Leng have shown him to be a prolific and deeply imaginative producer. Since 2008, Essa has been based in Japan where he plays regularly at clubs and events around the country, from Hokkaido to Okinawa. From 2010 to 2023, he was a resident DJ at the Lone Star parties, and later the Zim Zam Zu! events at the legendary Bar Bonobo, and for over a decade has been a resident at the ever popular Aoyama Tunnel in Tokyo.
Who Is David Harks?
English artist David Harks is based in Berlin, Germany. His work spans collaborations, remixes, and originals far and wide across multiple labels and genres. Among them: exquisite disco, jazz-inspired cinematic spoken word, and the very outer reaches of progressive cosmic rock. As an artist, singer, songwriter, and producer, Harks has contributed to labels including Leng, Soundcolours, Splinter, Eskimo Recordings, Boogie Angst, Kitsuné Records, Paper Recordings, Sunday Best, EMI Harvest (Pink Floyd), Wh0 Plays, and now his own varied imprint Amity.
Uniquely dextrous as a songwriter, Harks is a talented vocalist and live performer. His original voicings, lyrical messages, and productions caught the attention of legends Ron Trent and Larry Heard (AKA Mr. Fingers) for acclaimed remixes. In the Nu Disco realm, Harks is responsible for penning alt classic streaming success Northern Lights with Satin Jackets, capping 45 million streams across platforms globally. Additionally, he has contributed to a string of top-performing iTunes releases for German dance indie innovators Blank & Jones, building himself a strong reputation and online presence in Germany.
In 2022, Harks teamed up with Swedish super producer Rasmus Faber to create yet another Nu Disco classic, Never Enough, alongside additional remixes by Essa out on Paper Wave, Paper Recordings - remixes supported by longtime disco tastemaker Cosmo Murphy on her Balearic Breakfast show. Editorial support over the years has seen praise for Harks’s broad appeal, with plaudits Neon Gold, Thump, Vice’s Creators platform, DIY, Clash, and Ban Ban Ton Ton among others, and radio support from Tom Robinson, Lauren Lavern - Radio 6, Sister Bliss, Colleen Cosmo Murphy, Ibiza Global Radio, Bill Brewster, and Rob Da Bank to name a few.
Max Essa And David Harks's Funky Favorites Weedsday Playlist
For their Weedsday Playlist, Max Essa and David Harks share their own favorite electronic, funky, and nostalgic inspirational classic tracks. Groove on!
Cosa Rosa - "Zufall"
MAX ESSA: I can't remember where I first heard this, but I picked up a copy of the album eight or nine years ago and it quickly became a staple in my warm-up sets at Bonobo and Aoyama Tunnel in Tokyo. Downtempo, groovy German pop from 1985, produced by Reinhold Heil who also worked with Nina Hagen. The album goes for peanuts on Discogs, worth picking up a copy, if you like that kind of thing!
Click here to play on SoundCloud!
Cairo - "Smokin'"
ESSA: They don't make them like this anymore! A funky, late eighties, soulful vibe from a UK outfit who had two or three other releases around the same time before going their separate ways. Always get a few folk asking what it is whenever I play it.
Bautista - "Gone"
ESSA: This is probably one of my most favorite songs ever recorded. It was something of a classic amongst the DJH fraternity, circa 2005, which is where I discovered it. Released in 1977, beautifully written, arranged and produced, an absolutely glorious experience! I can never listen to it just once.
Leon Russell Featuring The Gap Band - "The Ballad Of Hollis Brown"
DAVID HARKS: This prototype electro-record holds a place in my heart. My first encounter with this masterpiece was while traversing the rugged outback of Australia, accompanying the Amorphous Androgynous on their tour back in '05. The record embarks on a journey akin to a death synth train, with gospel voices serving as its steadfast companions. Quality vocals and impassioned delivery, intertwined with an unyielding drum machine magic.
Click here to play on Spotify!
Don Slepian - "The Sea Of Bliss"
HARKS: I find myself more drawn to this era of synthesis and music-making, blissful journeys perfect for a sundown or late-night astral calling, doors and windows open to let in that warm breeze. If this isn't peace on earth I do not know what is.
Click here to play on Spotify!
A CLEAN TRIP is now available from Paper Recordings; click here to learn more. For more about Max Essa, follow @maxessa on Instagram and check out his Spotify and SoundCloud. To learn more about David Harks, follow @david_harks on Instagram and check out his Spotify and SoundCloud.
What are your favorite Weedsday tracks? Tell us about them - reach out at @honeysucklemagazine on Instagram!
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Featured image: David Harks (left) and Max Essa (right), courtesy of Paper Recordings
