- The producer formerly known as Jan Anthony switches lanes to catchy junglism.
- Juan Mejía wears a lot of hats. He's a DJ, producer, graphic designer and promoter, with most of his activities revolving around Jezebel, the breakbeat and club-focused party he cofounded with friends Luis Yepez and Milo Zero that's become a crucial link between Miami and New York. The party has hosted new-gen junglists and East Coast Club stalwarts alongside adventurous locals, and some of that influence seems to have rubbed off on Mejía. Where his previous tracks under the name Jan Anthony dealt in slick, subterranean techno, as Liquid J he's all about the breaks.
"Ode 2 Nino," named after Terry "Nino" Jones of early UK hardcore group The House Crew, positively bounces along, carried by a light, bright melody and a zippy bassline. Underneath '90s-esque time-stretched vocals and phaser effects, the breakbeats, with hollow tom hits and wet, splattery snares, feel modern and distinctive, something that can be difficult to achieve in such a well-trodden genre. It's a nice bit of pop jungle, something you might find on Coco Bryce's Myor label or a Jet Set Radio-style PlayStation game soundtrack. Mejía has spent plenty of time promoting adventurous club musicians—if this is his play to join their ranks, it's a decent start.