Our favorite unreleased tracks from ZHU’s BBC1 Debut
Lauded by Pete Tong as a future star, Zhu made his BBC1 debut with a special After Hours mix on the radio icon’s weekly show. During his mix, he showed off a bevy of new IDs, VIP edits, and official remix work that includes a stint re-imaginging Chic’s return-to-the-spotlight single “I’ll Be There.” In the hour that follows, the enigma that is Zhu proves that although his brand relies heavily on theatrics and mystery, there is nothing mysterious about his production abilities.
Nile Rodgers popped back onto the scene alongside Daft Punk, a revival that lead to the reunion of Rodgers’ once defunct Chic. The result of that reunion is “I’ll Be There,” a rousing disco track that has been rehoned by Zhu for an extended vocal edit. A hefty bass line and battling garage rhythms turn Chic’s disco return into a feel good, warehouse groover.
A special edit first debuted at his sold out New York shows, Zhu pairs the floaty “S/ASH” by Darius and the T-Pain pseudo-classic, “Bartender” for an impossibly catchy guilty pleasure. It’s a surefire crowdpleaser that will have you buzzing along and singing the auto-tuned chorus — despite your best efforts.
The track that started it all gets a VIP makeover. A new instrumental supports the original’s massive top line. The target this time around is on dancefloors, not radiowaves, and Zhu installs a bubbling tech house extension and new vocals to the VIP edit of his breakthrough hit.