Bside Incoming: Al Zanders

For our 176th show we welcome Al Zanders, a multifaceted artist hailing from the vibrant music scene of London. His musical journey is punctuated by his renowned edits and stellar productions, making waves with iconic labels like Phonica Records and Roy Davis Jr’s Undaground Therapy Muzik. While Al is now based in London, his heart remains in Sheffield, where he operates his beloved label, A-Z Records.
The reach of his music is far and wide, from the electrifying Dekmantel Boiler Room set by Midland to the eclectic soundscape of Gilles Peterson's 6 Music show. Renowned names like Leon Vynehall, Denis Sulta, and more have all featured his tracks in their playlists, solidifying Al's reputation as a go-to artist for genre-bending, dancefloor-igniting productions. In fact, his prowess as a producer was so undeniable that it prompted Roy Davis Jr to revive his classic Chicago label, Undaground Therapy Muzik, after 16 years, solely to release Al's 2018 Guidance EP. And the story continues, with Al's music slated for a comeback on the label in summer 2023, alongside a slew of edits and releases in both digital and vinyl formats. Notably, Al's track "Long Gone" has achieved over 3 million streams on Spotify, a testament to his growing influence in the industry.
When it comes to his DJing, Al Zanders is all about fun, energy, and soul. Whether he's spinning tunes in an intimate Tokyo basement club, rocking the stage at a massive festival like Lost Village or Gotwood, where he's been hailed as a highlight, or gracing the decks of a renowned venue like XOYO, you can always count on Al to bridge the musical realms of deep, soulful house and disco from around the globe. His sets effortlessly traverse Italo, South African, Anatolian, American, and more, weaving a rich tapestry of sonic experiences. This uninhibited and in-the-moment approach to music is a homage to Sheffield, the city where Al first discovered his passion for DJing and fell in love with the art form.
After a brief hiatus, Al is making a triumphant return in 2023 and beyond with an exciting lineup of back-to-back releases on various imprints, proving that he's just getting started on his musical journey.
For his Bside Podcast Al Zanders treats us to some of his most cherished records from many genres. The first half hour consists of ambiant, funk and afrobeat, then he moves to all sorts of house music for the final hour.
Check his instagram - https://www.instagram.com/al_zanders/
his soundcloud - https://soundcloud.com/al_zanders
And linktree - https://linktr.ee/alzanders
Thanks to Molly Hickey for the beautiful artwork as always. www.instagram.com/mollyth.art/
Follow the Bside Instagram for updates/news/vinyl and general music chat: www.instagram.com/bsidepodcasts/