The Director’s Cut: DJ 3000 – Mezë [Motech]

DJ 3000, born Franki Juncaj but given his famous alias by the legendary “Mad” Mike Banks of Underground Resistance, has always been closely connected to the music of Detroit. He has shown that over a rich career that has served up plenty of full-lengths and essential 12″s mostly on his own Motech. He has long since been a core part of the underground and has helped to define the modern techno sound with his music.

Now he innovates once more as he draws on his family’s roots for this new album. They hail from Montenegro but made their way to the United States and settled in Hamtramck, Michigan. That duality of culture is intricately woven into his new album where traditional Balkan instruments sit next to his unique synth craft and grasp of electronic rhythms as Mezë ventures into uncharted territory. It finds DJ 3000 boldly exploring sound, placing his Albanian heritage at the forefront of his creative expression. Much like how food serves as the universal “glue” that binds life together, ‘Mezë’ binds together culture, music, and family. It’s a story that transcends mere heritage; it’s about the rich tapestry of life itself.

“Mezë felt like an organic process, a natural outpouring of creativity that couldn’t be contained,” he says. As such this album isn’t just a collection of songs, it’s a sonic expression of inner self, a reflection of where he’s been and where he’s heading. It’s meant for anyone who craves authenticity and connection in music. ‘Mezë’ acts as a bridge, uniting people from diverse backgrounds through its harmonious notes. The album’s title track transcends genre, it’s an artistic representation of the heart-pounding communal experience of a party, akin to the vibrancy of sharing a meal. ‘Humble Quest’ delves into Detroit’s musical roots, while ‘Snake Eyes’ boldly explores uncharted electro territories, showcasing Franki’s mastery across various electronic dance music genres. The tracks ‘Pitë’ and ‘Red & Black’ shine brilliantly, infusing the album with the richness of Albanian culture and its national colors. ‘Kafë’ and ‘Ishalla’ revisit profound musical chords, offering a nod to Detroit legends and their enduring influence. Also embedded within the narrative of ‘Mezë’ is ‘Oloman Cafe,’ an homage to his family’s migration and a testament to the power of music to evoke cherished memories. 

Mezë boasts 20 distinct tracks, each with its own unique flavour. It is DJ 3000’s most complete and personal project to date and the culmination of a profound musical journey that invites all to partake in a celebration of different musical cultures.

How to listen: There are a couple of ways to proceed. First, you can listen to the whole album, which you will find below, and then read the notes. Or, read the notes as you listen to each track. This will completely change your perspective on the whole release itself and bring you closer to the artist and their work.

Mezë

The title is a selection of small dishes served as appetizers in Albanian. The sound of Mezë originated from the fusion of Iranian Santur elements with the inclusion of chords, creating a unique blend that infuses Detroit with a Middle Eastern Balkan flavor. I consistently integrate a diverse array of ethnic and exotic instruments into my music production.

Humble Quest

I usually don’t come up with song titles before I create a track, but this time it happened that way. I felt like I was embarking on a journey while working on this album, focusing purely on self-expression, reminiscent of when I first started releasing records. This journey was about personal expression and not driven by thoughts of DJ gigs, sales, or anything else. To be honest, I can’t recall exactly how I put this track together, but what I do know is that it’s a pure reflection of me. I’m particularly fond of the diverse percussion elements in this track and the way the various synth sounds interact, continually shifting and evolving, engaging in a dynamic conversation.

Tanbur

This song originated with the Turkish string instrument Tanbur, which shares a connection with the Albanian instrument Çifteli—a tool I’ve incorporated extensively in my music production. Instead of adhering to traditional scales and methods, I blend them with electronic elements and effects to craft a distinctive and original sound. My goal is for listeners to experience a sense of familiarity with the ethnic instruments while also encountering the energy of Detroit techno in my music.

Snake Eyes

“Snake Eyes” drew its inspiration from the rich legacy of Detroit electro producers. After a hiatus from creating electro music, I felt the urge to return to it. This time, I fused the traditional electro sound with exotic elements and incorporated subtle vocals. The details of how and what I used to create this track shall remain a secret for now 😉

Pitë

The title “Pitë” is inspired by a Balkan food staple. I’ve had this song in my collection for several years. I initially crafted the chords and percussion, but it remained stagnant in my sequencer, and I couldn’t move beyond the initial concept. Then, one summer day, inspiration struck. The song exudes a delightful and uplifting ambiance. Some of my friends have even suggested that it’s the closest I’ve come to producing house music. As for its genre classification, I’ll leave that up to the listener’s interpretation.

Red + Black

“Red + Black” symbolizes the primary colors featured on the Albanian flag. On every November 28th, we honor our independence and the symbolic importance of our flag. This song merges orchestral instruments with haunting vocals to evoke a powerful and unwavering atmosphere, capturing both the spirit of the struggle and the ultimate triumph.

Ishalla

“Ishalla” translates to “God willing.” I crafted this song with the intention of conveying that, during moments of hardship or when grappling with mental health challenges, having something to believe in is essential. I’ve faced my fair share of struggles, and music has consistently served as my refuge. This track carries a strong chord progression and a driving bassline, accompanied by subtle plucked instruments and strings, all designed to uplift your spirits and provide strength.

Dua

In Albanian culture, the phrase “Të Dua” holds great significance, translating to “I Love You.” The concept behind this track was to maintain simplicity, focusing on percussion, rhythm, and the low end, all while repeating the vocal until the breaks, where “Due” is unveiled.

Kafë

“Kafë” translates to “Coffee” and holds significant cultural importance throughout the Balkans. This track was born from my deep affection for coffee. One day, as I was preparing coffee with a mocha pot, I observed the gradual buildup, much like the anticipation before the coffee finally pours out from the top. Inspired by this moment, I rushed to my studio and composed this track in a mere 30 minutes.

Black & Mild

The title “Black & Mild” has a humorous backstory. During my teenage years, my friends and I had fake IDs, and we used to enjoy smoking these inexpensive Black & Mild cigars on our way to the club. On those Friday and Saturday nights en route to the club, Detroit radio stations would broadcast live from some of the best clubs, playing a wide range of music from ghetto tech to electro and everything in between. This track was inspired by those memorable times.

Shaker Hood

Detroit, famously known as the Motor City, is a place where an affinity for muscle cars runs deep, often stemming from family ties to the car factories. In my case, my dad worked at Chrysler, where they manufactured the iconic 1970 Challenger & Barracuda. These legendary cars featured engine-mounted hood scoops, and I was inspired to create a song that channels the intense and energetic vibe of the muscle car culture. The vocal in the track exclaims “shake the room,” which mirrors the sensation of standing next to these powerful cars on the street.

Raving or Behaving

When I set out to create this track, my primary aim was to produce a nostalgic old-school rave anthem purely for the fun of it. What better approach than incorporating a vocal that exclaims, “Are you raving or behaving?” I blended a syncopated chord progression and a dark Reese-style bassline, with the central breaks punctuated by the vocal shout.

Kashkaval

Kashkaval is a cheese originating from the Balkans. When producing this electro track, it all came together quite swiftly, to be honest. I only needed one final element to complete it. Coincidentally, my dad was discussing this cheese at the time, so I recorded him talking about it on my phone and seamlessly integrated it into the track. I applied various effects and kept it subtle in the mix, making it almost unrecognizable in Albanian. The chords fell into place after that.

Constant Sorrow

This song took shape during the pandemic. I had nearly completed the concept, and for some time before that, I had been in conversation with producer and vocalist Keith Caden. I believed his vocal talents would be a perfect fit for this track. I shared the track and its title with him, and he subsequently wrote the vocals, even contributing harmonica and a few other embellishments. I’m particularly fond of this electro-style track, and Keith’s vocals truly bring a unique and special dimension to it.

From The Ashes

Electro played a significant role in this album. When I mention electro, it’s not the typical style of tracks but rather a more unique approach. The vocals on this album truly infuse profound meaning into the songs, and I have a deep appreciation for the way the chords resonate and create a dynamic bounce in the tracks.

Crown Royal

There’s an amusing backstory to the essence of this track. “Crown Royal” harkens back to a liquor we used to enjoy back in the day. We’d have our Crown Royal and pair it with those Black & Mild cigars – quite the combo! This track was born from the memories of those late-night drives back home from the club.

Oloman Cafe

Oloman Cafe is my friend’s coffee shop in Hamtramck, a city nestled in the heart of Detroit where my family found a home after migrating from Montenegro.I created this track on a day when I left his shop and cruised through the town. It’s more uptempo than my usual style, yet it doesn’t feel rushed; instead, it carries a pleasant bounce with the chords and the rhythm of the vocals.”

Who Dat

I created this song just five minutes after finishing the “Oloman Cafe” track. I was riding the wave of a ghetto tech vibe, and that’s how “Who Dat” came into existence. I’m particularly pleased with how this track turned out because the bassline takes the lead, with the vocals complementing it beautifully. The other synth elements came about somewhat accidentally, My synthesizer froze in a specific sequence, and I happened to hit record, capturing an unexpected but welcome element.

Work In Progress

This track draws inspiration from the same bass-style session as the previous one. It’s all about that bassline. As they say, sometimes, less is more, and a captivating bassline combined with a catchy vocal is all you really need. I introduced the stabs later in the production; it just felt like the track needed that additional touch of Detroit funk.

Now, I’ll share some insider info about the title, even though it doesn’t directly relate to the track. I’m a big fan of Carhartt’s “Work in Progress,” and I wanted to express my appreciation for the brand with this track – just a fun way to show my love for it!

Dawn of Reflection

I’m not sure how this will be received, but my inspiration for this track came from a photo shared by Alicia Keys on her Facebook page, which she titled “The Dawn of Reflection” and accompanied with the question “write me, a poem?” Although I don’t typically write poetry, that particular photo and title served as the catalyst for creating this track.

Appreciate the inspiration, Alicia! 😉

Grab your copy here.