ZIGGY ZEITGEIST X, MALIK ALSTON — The Detroit Sessions

Ziggy Zeitgeist x & Malik Alston – The Detroit Sessions opens the Energy Exchange Records release EXREC011, a 12-inch vinyl that dives into deep house and breaks while channeling the spirit of Detroit’s musical heritage. The record arrives fresh from a six-week residency in the Motor City, where the collaborators absorbed the city’s daily rhythms and translated them into a dark, funky soundscape. Within the Energy Exchange catalogue, EXREC011 follows a string of recent outings: the label’s 2026 “Energy Exchange Records Vol. II” (EXRECLP007) and “Bound to Be” by Kuzco (EXREC009) precede it, as do the D’Monk × Frank Dasent collaboration (EXREC010). Earlier releases such as the 2025 “INSPIRE // RADICALISE” LP (EXRECLP005) and the 2024 “Been Remindin’ Me” LP (EXRECLP004) have established the label’s focus on deep, groove-centric productions, making this new EP a natural continuation of that aesthetic. Side A opens with “Sunday Morning (Malik’s Percussion Mix)”, a track that evokes the quiet moments of a Detroit dawn, its rhythmic pulse setting a reflective tone for the side. “Party PPL” follows, delivering a more immediate, dancefloor-ready vibe that bridges the contemplative opening with the side’s closing statement, “Where Would We Be Without You (feat. Badriyyah)”, a collaborative piece that adds a vocal-tinged layer to the deep-house foundation, reinforcing the record’s homage to the city’s communal spirit. Side B mirrors the journey with “Sunday Morning (Ziggy’s Bunker Edit)”, reinterpreting the A-side opener through a darker, more underground lens, while “The Dancer (Malik’s Detroit Techno Mix)” pushes the tempo into a techno-inflected groove that nods to the city’s pioneering electronic lineage. The record closes with “UFO Encounters”, a mysterious closing cut that leaves the listener with an otherworldly impression, echoing the sense of discovery that inspired the sessions. For Malik Alston, The Detroit Sessions sits alongside his recent Truth Manifest Records outings, notably “Beyond Jazz Vol. 3” (TMR-008, 2026) and “Beyond Jazz Vol. 2” (TMR-007, 2024). Those releases showcased his ability to fuse jazz sensibilities with house rhythms, a skill that informs his contributions here, particularly the percussive focus of the opening mix and the techno-driven B-side. In the broader context of contemporary underground electronic music, the EP captures a moment where deep house’s soulful depth meets the kinetic energy of breaks, all filtered through Detroit’s storied legacy. Its blend of reflective grooves and more propulsive tracks offers a nuanced portrait of a city that has shaped multiple generations of dance music. From a DJ’s perspective, the record provides versatile tools: the A-side’s “Sunday Morning” mixes work well as warm-up or transitional pieces, “Party PPL” can drive a peak-time set, and the B-side’s techno-leaning edit offers a darker edge for late-night moments. Collectors will appreciate the collaborative spirit and the way the EP documents a specific cultural pilgrimage, making it a compelling addition to any deep-house or techno-oriented crate. The release is pressed on 12-inch vinyl, matching the label’s standard format for its deep-house and breaks output. Its physical presentation aligns with Energy Exchange’s recent catalogues, offering a tactile experience that complements the music’s emphasis on texture and atmosphere. Ziggy Zeitgeist x & Malik Alston – The Detroit Sessions, Energy Exchange Records, EXREC011, 12-inch vinyl, six tracks. Tracklist: A1. Ziggy Zeitgeist x & Malik Alston – Sunday Morning (Maliks Percussion Mix) A2. Ziggy Zeitgeist x & Malik Alston – Party PPL A3. Ziggy Zeitgeist x & Malik Alston – Where Would We Be Without You (feat. Badriyyah) B1. Ziggy Zeitgeist x & Malik Alston – Sunday Morning (Ziggy?s Bunker Edit) B2. Ziggy Zeitgeist x & Malik Alston – The Dancer (Malik?s Detroit Techno Mix) B3. Ziggy Zeitgeist x & Malik Alston – UFO Encounters