Joy Theater - Friends in Music Vol. 1, 12" LP

Limited Run, 200 records available, 12" Black Vinyl Compilation Album

This album is the premier release on Joy Theater, a new label out of San Francisco founded by producer, musician, and DJ Cole Odin.

Track Listing

Dawn's Approaching by Cole Odin (Psychemagik Remix)
Evil Eyes by Babylon Black
Quienes Son by Jesse Black Fahnestock
D-Freq by Sweetdiquè
Break Free by The Arturian
I Remember the Sun by Jamel Lee

ALL RIGHTS RESERVED BY JOY THEATER PRODUCTIONS AND THE ARTISTS 2025
PRESENTED IN LOVING COLLABORATION WITH HOTWAX & ANTLRE

JOY THEATER... BLENDING PSYCHEDELIA AND SINCERITY SINCE 2025

ALBUM DETAILS

The record starts with a previously released and loved track of Cole's, brilliantly remixed by the legendary Psychemagik. Originally out on Das Sind Wir in 2019 (when it made Tim Sweeney's "Best of 2019" mix on Beats In Space) it was planned to be pressed to vinyl. This unfortunately never materialized and the label went into hiatus, but thankfully DSW label head Trev Campbell released the rights to Cole & Joy Theater, and now Tom and Danny's amazing remix of "Dawn's Approaching" (as Tom described it, "a tribute to the Underworld classic 'Rez'",) can finally be que'd up by the vinyl-loving world.

After that comes a cool collab from two OGs of the Bay Area scene Buna Babillions & Corey Black. Buna has a long history of work, but is mostly known for being partly responsible for the rave classic "20 Minutes of Disco Glory" which he did with DJ Garth and the late Eric James (as part of E.T.I.). Corey is most notably one half of 40 Thieves, whose well-known work has been repping the Bay properly for over 2 decades on labels such as Leng, Rong, and Permanent Vacation among many others. He's also cofounder of Imperial Dub Recordings (the home of seminal SF group Dub Tribe) and cofounder of Smash Hit Music. "Evil Eyes" is a sneaky slice of disco funk that feels like Fat Freddy's Drop playing at a zombie beach party.

The 3rd track comes from afar, courtesy of Cole's longtime friend Jesse Black. Before moving to Sweden, Jesse lived in SF back in the 90s/early 2000s and was a big influence on Cole's beginnings as a DJ, as Jesse was a frequent selector for the famed Bulletproof parties. His deep musical knowledge and breadth of taste showed in his eclectic DJ sets, as it does in his work under the moniker of 10:40 ,and in his partnership with Darren Bell as the world-renowned duo Jezebell. It's dub-funk, it's disco-boogie, it's house-a-delica.... It's Jesse Black!

As we move to the 2nd side, once again, Buna has a hand on the controls. This time teaming with local musician and DJ Jason Greer. Jason rose to prominence throwing killer parties with Solar (of Sunset fame) and Mozhgan called We Are Monsters. As a DJ, Jason has been a local fave for decades, getting the nickname "The Machine" for his impeccable mixes. As Sweetdiqué they offer "D-Freq", a slow burning low tempo chugger that brings to mind classic slo-mo vets Ghost Vision, and of course the Guv (IYKYK).

Next up is a track dedicated to the spirit of a fallen local hero in the Bay Area's techno scene, Paul Leath. The Arturian (aka Danny Varela) has crafted a beautiful cosmic brooder that's full of palpable emotion. Danny (along with Paul, Cole and Jamel) are a part of a collective called LDP, whose long-running houseboat retreats are the stuff of legend around the Bay. A remote cove... a 20-point Turbo Soundsystem... and a couple dozen of the best DJs (most of whom you've never heard), make for your favorite weekend of the year. "Break Free" will no doubt be shimmering across the moonlit lake in tribute to Paul later this summer.

Closing out the record is a gorgeous deep-house ride by Jamel Lee Markx. As keyboardist and co-songwriter in Cole's old band, Ownership, Jamel made his way into the Bay Area scene as a storied musician, only to emerge as one of its best DJs and most promising producers. "Remember the Sun" pulls you in with its playful, yet thoughtful chords and flits, and sets the stage with a spoken word call to the power of sunlight, and to being present in the moment. It wouldn't be out of place on a release from Ajuna Deep, but it's so much more than that. Joy Theater is proud to release the first track by Jamel Lee.