This week, we have a beautiful mix from Toronto via Guelph producer, Elaquent. The mix’s eclectic selection of jazz, neo-soul, and hip-hop songs should make these recent cold, dark Toronto days a little friendlier.  

Tell us a bit about Elaquent. 

What’s up, I am a beatmaker and producer from Guelph, Ontario. I do hip-hop instrumental work, with touches of jazz, neo-soul, and electronic music. I have been making music since I was 13, and have been releasing it publicly for the past six or so years.

Where and how was this mix recorded? 

I did the mix at my parent’s house a week or so ago. I did the mix on my SP 404sx sampler, so that I could trigger real-time effects and put it together live, rather than just put a bunch of songs on a mix cd. I’m not a DJ, per se, but I enjoy approaching mixes like one.

What was the idea behind the mix? 

There’s no special concept. I wanted to put together a mix full of songs that I’ve been playing a lot recently for whatever reason. It’s an eclectic mix of broken beats from relatively new songs, as well as older songs. consisting of mostly grimier, lo-fi beats. I’ve also got some cleaner electronic songs sprinkled in, as well as a couple of my own.

In your own words, can you describe the sound of Elaquent? 

I would say that my sound is a fusion of a number of different sounds and styles. Like I said before, its hip-hop grooves, first and foremost, but there’s also definite traces of electronic, laid-back  layered music. I like to think of most my music as a soundtrack to life – full of little subtleties and minute details that resonate more in an adventurous atmosphere. Whatever sounds good, but, for the most part, I live for a smooth, seductive vibe in my sound.

Where can Toronto Standard’s readers see you perform next?

I’m performing alongside Pursuit Grooves and my good homie Kaytranada (formerly known as Kaytradamus) on October 18th, 2012 at the Drake Hotel as part of the X Avant festival (the Toronto Standard did a preview of the X Avant festival, which can be found here). Beyond that, I have another Toronto show on the 1st – venue pending – so Toronto residents will have a few opportunities to see me live! 

In addition, make sure to follow Elaquent on Twitter @Elaquent to find about any future shows he’s playing in Toronto. 

1. Elaquent – Parallel
2. Shigeto – Huron River Drive
3. Powell – Higher Ground
4. Knxwledge – OvrMyne
5. The Celestics – Long Distance
6. devonwho – 33cents
7. DIBIA$E – Grow Up
8. devonwho – thecoffeegrind
9. Suzi Analogue – Quarter Inches
10. Suff Daddy – KC Vodka
11. Ta-ku – Hey Justin
12. B. Lewis – Less Pop
13. Bahwee – LotusFlowerBomb
14. Jennifer Lopez – I’m Real (Croup remix)
15. Elaquent – Montreal Poutine
16. Mndsgn – Stumble
17. J. Bizness – Sci-Fi
18. Teebs – Double Fifth