What’s Happened
Tiki Taka × The Very Polish Dine & Dance
While hanging out in Warsaw, Azar discovered the Polish food concept of Zakąski – small plates of snacks meant to be eaten late at night whilst drinking Vodka and partying. It’s very simple but delicious food, with things that would be familiar to any German such as pickled cucumber, sauerkraut, borscht or gravadlax, but unlike in Germany, they’re made using fermentation so it’s far healthier and actually much more delicious than what you’d find here.
Since it’s the perfect union of snacks and alcohol, Azar always thought that a Zakąski bar would be a big hit in Berlin and as Poland so spectacularly failed to qualify for the World Cup, he thought that now would be the perfect time to do a Polish night at the hotel. And it just so happens that his brother Emil who lives in Warsaw is the Master of the Zakąski! So Emil is lovingly making the food and bringing it over for us. Most importantly of all, there’ll be fine Vodka specially smuggled in, especially for the night, the really great stuff they normally don’t let leave the country.
And of course, there has to be music! Azar has always been a big fan of the (now) Berlin-based The Very Polish Cut Outs label that focuses on renewing the interest in usually forgotten and obscure music from Poland’s Communist past. The label’s head honcho Maciej Zambon lives in Berlin so it was an obvious choice to let him take care of the music for the evening. Zambon will be spinning Polish and Eastern European music only alongside some of the most renowned Polish DJs – Burn Reynolds – the man from Soul Service collective (responsible for the great POLISH FUNK compilations) and Ptaki – the brightest stars in the wide roster of the Very Polish Cut Outs Label.
Zambon (The Very Polish Cut Outs)
Launched in 2010 by two music nerds, The Very Polish Cut-Outs quickly became one of the most important sources of fresh musical discoveries. Focused on renewing interest in usually forgotten and obscure music from Poland’s Communist past, TVPC brought disco, funk, soul, electronic and psychedelic rock grooves made years ago in Poland, back to the modern dancefloor. Label honcho’s Zambon & Kacper Kapsa are expertly curating the series of tastefully done edits, reworks & mixtapes.
https://soundcloud.com/polishcutouts
Burn Reynolds (Soul Service/Warsaw)
He is associated with the Warsaw-based Soul Service DJ collective which, besides being known for their love for funk music, also gained quite a reputation by putting together the POLISH FUNK compilations that showcased the funky side of the musical output from the Polish Peoples Republic and received wide international attention. Burn Reynolds is one of the most skilled funk DJs from Eastern Europe and had the pleasure to be the first DJ to play the Polish Boiler Room edition.
Ptaki (The Very Polish Cut Outs/Warsaw)
Ptaki (which means ‘birds’ in Polish) are a DJ/producer duo hailing from Warsaw. Their first 12″ featuring ‘Krystyna’ was a big hit in 2013, topping the bestseller chart at Phonica Records & juno.co.uk and placing 7th on djhistory.com annual ‘The Furtive 50’ list. Ptaki’s tracks are played and supported by the likes of Move D, Bill Brewster, Mark E, Mixmaster Morris, Joe (Hessle Audio), Tycho, Sleazy Beats, Eddie C, Jose Padilla and many more. Ptaki appeared on Boiler Room and played shows in UK, Germany, Russia and well known festivals in Poland, like Unsound and Open’er.
