Selections: Steven Julien

Digging into Steven Julien’s discography always feels like a pampering session for the mind and soul, but the London-based producer takes things a step further on his recent single, ‘Wraap’t’. Inspired by the barber shop where he worked throughout his teenage years, netting money to fund his early career as a musician, the track transudes a sense of warmth, community and nostalgia in its street soul grooves and tender vocal tones, courtesy of Sweden’s Fatima. “I’ve been a huge fan of classic R&B and new jack swing, so I’m bringing that flavour back with a new touch,” he explained. “I’m doing what feels right to me at the moment.”

A masterstroke in good vibrations, ‘Wraap’t’ prefaced Julien’s new EP of the same name, released earlier this month on his Apron Records label. Sitting snugly alongside a pair of club-ripe remixes and the B-side funk jam, ‘LIL’BIT’, cooked up from a vat of nu-jazz grooves and electric piano-led riffs, the project straddles both the dancier and jazzier sides of Julien’s catalogue – and feels all the brighter for it.

Beyond his career as a musician, Julien (formerly known as FunkinEven) has soundtracked fashion shows for Patta and Milan Fashion Week, collaborated on films with Steve McQueen and installations at the Brooklyn Museum with Mos Def. He also holds down a monthly show on NTS, spotlighting groove-laden goodness from across the sonic spectrum alongside musical friends and guests. For this week’s Selections, Julien offers DJ Mag a glimpse into his ever-expanding record bag, from fresh R&B finds and breezy house rhythms to psychedelic funk jams.

Dive in below, and listen to ‘Wraap’t’ here.