After impressively debuting in late 2012 with his Cabrini Green EP for the Dixon Avenue Basement Jams imprint, mysterious producer Marquis Hawkes had an even better 2013. Operating anonymously from his home base in Berlin, he issued two more EPs, Higher Forces at Work and Sex, Drugs & House, and continued to deliver raw, ghetto-house-influenced sounds. Still, even after speaking with Hawkes at length for a Bubblin’ Up profile last March, and subsequently naming him one of 2013’s Best New Artists, we have to admit that we still don’t know all that much about him. Anxious to remedy that situation—and also curious to hear the man at work behind the decks—we’ve asked the Bubblin’ Up alum to come back for Bubblin’ Up Week 2014 and deliver the first XLR8R podcast of the year. Hawkes’ own productions are often compared to the old-school sounds of Chicago, but on this exclusive mix, he pulls much more heavily from Detroit’s musical coffers. His selections may be short on polish, but they’re full of rich, soulful rhythms that touch upon numerous pockets of house music’s past and present. Though many of his personal details remain in the shadows, Hawkes has previously admitted that he’s been active in the dance music world for at least 15 years. Listening to the quality on offer here, it’s clear that he’s putting all of that experience to good use.

01 Moodymann “Black Mahogany” (KDJ)
02 Tarantulaz “Stop the World (Marquis Hawkes Re-Edit)”
03 Inland Knights “Fields Ahead” (Drop)
04 Rick Wade “I Feel Good” (Robsoul)
05 Ron Trent “Manifesto (Bewe Effect)” (Future Vision)
06 Alden Tyrell “Work It” (Clone Jack 4 Daze)
07 Marquis Hawkes “Tunnel” (Creme Organization)
08 Jay Daniel “Brainz” (Sound Signature)
09 Omar-S “Set It Out” (FXHE)
10 Omar-S “The Shit Baby” (FXHE)
11 Deetroit “Deetroit” (Unknown Detroit)
12 Hardrive “Deep Inside” (Strictly Rhythm)
13 Kerri Chandler “Rain” (Nervous)
14 Motor City Drum Ensemble “Raw Cuts #6” (MCDE)
15 Mr. Tophat & Art Alfie “Limehouse” (Karlovak)
16 Borrowed Identity “Feel Like Making Love” (Quintessentials)
17 Leon Vynehall “Step or Stone” (3024)
18 Recloose “Parquet” (Rush Hour)

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