High Fidelity: Kate Simko's Ten Inspirational Tracks

With a double sell-out weekender just a few days away, the phones have been off the hook with massive hype for the return of Jamie Jones, Danny Daze's Farringdon debut, Heartthrob's live show and of course, airlondon's Room Three takeover - all due to take place this Saturday. In a line-up of epic proportions, the blog has been in heavy rotation with the finest in audio treats and from airlondons Anthea and Laura Jones alone, we’ve been blown away by the sheer quality of their fabric mixes. Next up, we’ve got Chicago’s ever so cool, Kate Simko, following the release of her stylistically fierce debut LP, ‘Lights Out’ on Hello?Repeat, out earlier this year. Kate’s tender, detailed electronics on our ears are so good we asked her an impossible task for many a DJ but one of great value to fans and music-heads alike. Sifting through a wealth of inspirational tracks, here are just ten that made Kate Simko's final cut. In her own words, “My time at the university involved a lot of music discovery. I started school in Miami, then transferred to a school back in Chicago, and spent a year studying in Chile as well. Each of these places brought new friends into my life, and new music as well. Here are some of my favorite albums and tracks that left their mark from that time.” Tickets will be available on the door from 11pm Saturday, as well as fabricfirst entry. To be a member sign up here: fabricfirst Soul Oddity - Soul Communication During my first semester of college in Miami I interned for Soul Oddity at the radio station, and had my mind blown by IDM thanks to them. Coming from Chicago, this was like outer space dance music. St. Germaine - Rose Rouge When I moved back to Chicago, I took over as music director of the dance and hip-hop formats at that college's radio station, WNUR. I'll never forget when this promo came through. Instant classic! Aztec Mystic - Knights Of The Jaguar This was basically the theme song of the dance format at the station. As young ones in Chicago, we looked up to UR, big time. Basic Channel - Quadrant Dub Every Chain Reaction and Basic Channel record was in the bag, and they sound just as fresh today. Moondog - Moondog A friend in Chile lent me a Moondog album and his music has stayed a favorites through the years.Mr. Scruff's remake of this song is probably the best known, but the original is a gem too. Mambotur - Atina Latino This was a live electronic band project between Pier Bucci and Argenis Brito. The "Chilean mafia" thing hadn't blown up yet in 2001, so it was cool to have seen these talented guys getting their start in Chile. Alice Coltrane - Ptah, The El Daoud I think I've listened to this song 1000 times. Alice Coltrane was such an intuitive musician, and this song drips with emotion. Dorothy Ashby - Afro Harping Off-the-chains harpist from Detroit, Dorothy Ashby carved a niche in jazz that basically didn't exist. Greatness. Bill Withers - Just As I Am I heard this record for the first time at a small record shop in Chicago. I bought their copy and Withers' calming soul has been a favorite ever since. Laurie Anderson A composition professor at the university suggested I check out Laurie Anderson. She seems to operate with no inhibitions, which was a major inspiration as a woman trying to get my feet solid in the ground with music!