Wax Heart is a series featuring an artist and the records that made them who they are today
"Most producers say that the way to stand out in the lo-fi game is mainly about having your own sound", says Budapest-based beatmaker Dániel Fazekas (aka 桜Sakura) about the unique sonic textures and techniques that go into making his brand of electronic jazz and boom bap. "I love when a banger beat has a colourful soundscape, with many different instruments, so I'm going to find as many as I can."
Having made thousands of beats with his signature slowed-down vibes with unquantized swing since starting about a decade ago, Fazekas tends to try new methods and perspectives in production with every new album. For his latest Peach Flava LP—released digitally via Vinyl Digital and available for preorder on Qrates until April 15—the focus is on sampling and drum shaping using MPC and SP 404 samplers. "When I make an album, I always focus on something what gives me inspiration to produce. It can be different things, like the concept or the instruments; or it can be the gear I use or just random field recordings," he explains. "Ninety percent of the drums are originally vinyl samples, which I layered, compressed and shaped in different ways. After I achieve the desired punch in my drums, the rest is just fun with chopping and layering melodies."
As part of Qrates's ongoing Wax Heart Series, Fazekas shares four records that have influenced him the most so far.
"DJ Krush, the trip hop king! He is one of the biggest influences on me. This album was and will be my favourite album forever. I never get bored of it. If I lose myself in music making, I always go back to DJ Krush. The first song on this album, "Song 1", makes it clear how simplicity can make a beat fly. I also love the solo parts with the flute, it is very fluid. When I found this, I had never heard anything like it before. Having already listened to a lot of hiphop, I never thought that a beat can be like this. It was a mind-opening experience, and after a short time I started producing myself."
"Mujo情 was a starting point in my music carrier. A long, long time ago, around winter 2012, I met him on a hike in a forest where he showed me some crazy beats on his phone. I was totally shocked when I heard them, even more when it turned out that he made them. It had a huge impact on me. I went home and I remember wondering how he made that music. He was only a few years older than me and I thought that maybe I could do that too. A few month later, I got a laptop from my grandfather. I started researching music production software, which is how I started with FL Studio. I saw Mujo情 a few times but really rarely, even though we lived close to each other in the same neighourhood. Not long after, I visited him and he gave me some of his records, including "Real Street Jazz", "Nature Friend" and "Reincarnation"."
"I spent half a year living and studying in Rome in 2019. When I was there, I realised that near my apartment there was a huge market on every Sunday, called "Porta Portese". I walked there many times, and I loved crate digging. I found some very cheap vinyls for like two-to-three euros, including this album. I have a strong connection with it because it reminds me of my time in Italy. This album also inspired me to buy a jazz guitar a year ago. I love the song "Ode to a Kudu - Live"."
"Savages is a Hungarian producer and also a friend of mine. We have some collaborations on his next albums. I like "Life In The Wild Garden" because it has very colourful instrumentation. He also uses interesting layers and jazz textures. Savages's successful vinyl project on Qrates also inspired me to do mine."