Born in Iran, spent his early DJing years in Montreal, as part of the emerging underground culture there, now based in Los Angeles, California. Amir Javasoul is what we call a purist when it comes to records and house music. He started building his record collection back in the 90s. Apart from extended b2b sets with his good friend Ricardo Villalobos or constant appearances on Europe’s undeground outpost, he’s first and foremost a true record digger and collector. It goes without saying that we needed to meet his Vinyl Alter Ego, so we challenged him for an extended record selection. Amir was kind enough to take time for this task, as he came up with this huge selection filled with nothing by vinyl gems, from his private collection, just to get a grip on his complex musical personality.

A second hand dig I’m most proud of

Chirurgie Boutique – Vintage Island EP
Found it for 5£ in London, 3 years ago. Have a look on Discogs (300 euros right now)

The record I’d love to see repressed

Max Brennan – Pull thy Boots (Cide)
The only record on this label. A gem and one that I missed on.

The label I’d buy all their releases without even listening to them

SVEK. I believe I have them all already but would still buy eyes closed

The record artwork that blows my mind every time I look at it

Problem Kids – Pump The Dirty Groove LP – (Paper Recordings 1999)
A perfect ass on the cover, and a near perfect album inside. For those who know.

The record that triggers childhood memories
Michael Jackson – Thriller. Growing up in Iran, it was a very big deal when a family friend brought me a copy from the US. Next level excitement, trying to recreate the dance moves, probably like any other 10 yr old kid at the time.

The record shop I would spend my whole savings in
Kristina – London

Of course there are many more to mention. But my friend Dave Congreve always takes good care of me here.

The record that never leaves my DJ bag
BT – Remember (Mood II Swing Remix)

I’ve been playing this record for nearly 20 years. Derrick Carter turned me into it in the late 90s. Recently found out ZIP is also a big fan of this record.

Last record I checked its price on discogs
Our white label release from Maher Daniel and I’s Creatures of Habit moniker

Last record I bought for my home listening pleasure
Vladimir Horowitz – Horowitz spielt Liszt

The record closest to my heart from my entire collection
Impossible to name just one yet one that brings back a lot of memories is Tone theory – Limbo Of Vanished Possibilities (Plink Plonk)

The record that perfectly captures the Detroit vibe

Personally, the record that gives me the real Detroit vibe is a classic from Convextion, I always called “the orange record”. My memories from the days where Richie Hawtin was untouchable as a techno DJ in the late 90s, is the wizardry he would perform with this record, often mixing on three tables at a time where minimal was not a genre yet.

The non dancefloor record that proved to be perfect for clubs, also!

There are many! to name just one, I will go with Prince – The Future, to remember my favorite artist of all time during the month of his passing, 8 years ago. There is also a rare rmx record out there ;)

 

A now defunct record label from which you luckily own a few records

Svek. I have all of them. All hail The Lords of Svek! forever and ever.

The funkiest (in terms of sound 😬) record you own

Not easy to pick one. It depends on the mood, on the day, the time of play etc…Today, this one is on my mind. Alexander O’neal – Let’s get together – Classic Stomper. From the days of Derrick Carter serving up funky sets that will forever shape the way I play music to a crowd, this one is a hidden gem from Michi Lange and Mousse T from the late 90s. I’ve never given this one away, until now…

One record from you early DJ career that you still play today

This one is easy. There is one record I never stopped playing since the first day in 1998, and it’s hands down the house record I’ve played the most. BT – Remember – Mood II Swing Dub. For those who know…

One record that sounded way ahead of its time when it was released

 I’m thinking of a record that stood the test of time, that still sounds current, 5,10,15, 20…maybe 35 years into its making?? One that comes to mind is John Rocca – Move. first released in 1987.

One contemporary record that brings back in our times the Chicago House sound.

This question can be interpreted in different ways. As i’m first and most a student of the Chicago sound, I can share many records here from the different eras of Chicago; the early days of Trax, DJ International etc..to the second wave with Gemini, Derrick Carter, DJ Sneak etc…Therefore allow me to share two records from these two eras:
Early days: Quest – Mind Games – Underground mix. With the amazing vocals by Liz Torres and released in 1985!
2nd wave:  Derrick L. Carter – Squaredancing in a roundhouse – The remake. I witnessed this record turn Club Der Visioneare upside down in a morning session last summer so it’s still definitely current.

One record that’s so good, you even bought a copy to keep it in mint condition

Shout out to a great Canadian label from my old friend Nav, of which I own several copies of their releases.
The one that comes to mind: Sean Dimitrie and T.Fuller – The release