Sam Don's 'Just A Touch' shines a light on UK soul

Deep digging is what drives British DJ, radio host and selector Sam Don.

Despite showcasing a universal and deep knowledge of music, Sam often finds his niche in the more soulful side of a groove; his lovers rock compilation in 2020 for Athens of the North, ‘For The Love of You’, was highly appraised by both DJs and publications.

Just last month, Sam released his most recent compilation ‘Just A Touch’, where he plunges into the world of UK soul and traverses a silky ride of mood-mending gems from the likes of Bô’vel, Marcelle Moncreiffe, Pure Silk and Taffy.

“Whilst the US is most well-known for soul music, the UK has created its own take on the genre, due to the melting pot of cultures and musical styles that makes the UK so special. I didn’t ‘set out’ to make a compilation like this, but one night an idea came to me, and I sketched it out at home with my record collection. When I saw how well these sounds came together, I started my mission to find the people involved with them and ‘Just A Touch’ was created.”

Mixmag Asia caught up with the British record collector to hear some behind-the-scenes talk about how ‘Just A Touch’ was curated.

Why a compilation of UK soul music?

All the music that I love has got a soulful thread within it, even if I am listening to techno, it has to have that realness that comes from the heart. While the US is probably the country best known for soul music, the UK has over the years created its own take on the genre. This is due to the melting pot of cultures and different musical styles that make the UK so special.

Whilst I will always love classics and where a genre starts out from, what I am really interested in is this cross-pollination of sounds and what bubbles up from the underground. There are so many amazing records that were released in limited numbers and could have been massive, but for whatever reason didn’t get heard beyond a certain amount of people. These are the records I am trying to give a new shine to and give their creators the respect that they deserve!

How did you select the tracks for the LP?

I’ve been making mixtapes since I was old enough to make them, by day I work as a music consultant for brands and at night I DJ, so I am naturally constantly curating lists in my head. This was no different! I didn’t ‘set out’ to make a compilation like this, but one night an idea came to me and I sketched it out at home with my record collection. When I saw how well these sounds were coming together, I started my mission to find the people involved with them and then over time, ‘Just A Touch’ was created.


Did you go digging or were you sent suggestions?

It’s from everywhere really, I’ve always got my ears open, and living in central London I am being bombarded by music on the daily - I’m not complaining! I’ve been known to run alongside a moving car with my Shazam open that had passed me by playing something I just needed to know!!

There are of course the record shops, private dealers and friends who I have built up a relationship with and who know what might interest me and will share that information, and I’m always willing to share my discoveries back in the other direction with those people and in my DJ sets.

A lot of it however is just digging (both in the real world and online) and working on hunches one might have.

There’s a story behind the Taffy track and how you found the producer. Care to share?

The Taffy track has been one of my favourite discoveries in recent years and anyone I have played it to has been completely floored by it. It’s a lost Balearic soul masterpiece that has all the signs that it could become a massive favourite for many others.

After much detective work, I couldn’t get a number for Rex the producer, but I did manage to get an address, which was remarkably only 100 metres from my old flat. When I turned up, the house was for sale with no sign of anyone living there, a real buzz kill. I came back a week later, this time with a letter that I popped through the door and a few weeks later to my amazement Rex gave me a call.

Tell our readers about Pure Silk!

Pure Silk is a one-man musical production powerhouse named Anthony Brightley. You could write a book about the huge impact this man has had on London reggae music but as this energetic street soul track ('What You Do For Me') demonstrates, his talent in creating an ear-worm crosses over genres.

After speaking to Anthony online for a couple of years, I had the pleasure of meeting him for coffee when he was back in London from his home in Antigua. It was immediately evident from his sharp look, wit and charm that this was someone who was on top of his business but having a lot of fun in life. This is someone who has owned or still owns successful clubs, labels, sound systems, various import-export businesses and the list goes on and on.

I was so impressed by Anthony, that after he invited me to visit him in Antigua, I actually did just that. Three months after our first meeting we were laughing and eating the most beautiful Ital food at his favourite local restaurant in St John.

Sam Don 'Just A Touch' is out now on double LP, CD and digital. Get your copy here.