Playing the opening slot on Saturday, Mafalda smiled from ear to ear, singing along to beautiful soul tunes that split the difference between rare groove and classic party DJing. A heavy section saw her move from a broken beat cut into a space disco tune released this year, Emanative’s “Planet B.” In Mafalda’s hands, these modern tunes felt anachronistic, smoothly fitting into a soulful continuum of Rhodes, funk bass lines and warm vinyl crackle. Late into her two-hour set, she played De La Soul’s Smokey Robinson-sampling “Breakadawn,” then wrapped up a suite of romantic songs with Marvin Gaye’s “My Love Is Waiting.” The label Mafalda runs with Floating Points and a gang of London diggers operates with a simple mission: “To spread love all over the land in general and happiness in dance floors in particular.” Each time she plays, these lofty goals feel just a little bit closer.
Words by Ray Philp & Matt McDermott for RA.
Full feature via RA here.