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Draft:Sameed Rezayan

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Sameed Rezayan is a curator, musician, and educator, born and based in Manchester, England. He is renowned for his eclectic DJ sets and unconventional house music productions. Sameed held a residency on NTS radio,[1] which was garnered in Vice.[2]

Musician

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Sameed Rezayan gained prominence in Manchester's underground warehouse scene through his diverse house DJ sets, which seamlessly blended disco, jazz, soul, and UK and French Garage. His early music releases were characterized by "slow-burning, immersive grooves." Juno Records described Rezayan's work as a fusion of "gospel, soul, disco, and house into some lovely floor fillers."[3]

Sameed became a fixture in Manchester's underground music scene, performing alongside artists such as Kyle Hall, Nina Kraviz, and Floating Points before relocating to Hanoi, Vietnam. Whilst in Vietnam (2015–2016), he collaborated with Chicago House legend Jamie 3:26 and released the politically charged 'Cant U/Testify,' which included the track 'Dusty Jazz.' According to 5 Magazine, the release was seen as a poignant commentary on social turmoil, stating, "This whole record is huge, and timely, and needs to be heard."[4]

Rezayan's production is deeply influenced by political themes. He has articulated his approach, stating, "Hip-hop sampling is not isolated. It came about through oppressive socio-economic conditions in America and technological advancements in affordable musical instruments, which brought about a revolution in art and music."[5]

Through a sociological lens inspired by Michel Foucault, Rezayan expanded his methodology on NTS Radio, exploring the narrative and soundscape of seminal hip-hop producers, rappers, and icons. He stated, "I employ methods taken from Political-Sociology, predominantly from Michel Foucault and his method of 'Archaeology' as written about in 'Madness and Civilization'. Examining the traces and orders of the past in order to understand the history of the present. I see sampling in hip-hop as a continuation of a methodology or process that has been used for hundreds of years by countless people."[5]

Learning and Education

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In addition to his artistic pursuits, Rezayan has contributed to several culturally impactful education programs in Berlin, London, and Manchester, including Football Beyond Borders, CareerFoundry, and his current role as Head of Learning at Factory International and Manchester International Festival.

He led the Manchester segment of Reframe,[6] a national program for young black and mixed heritage creatives, which was delivered across institutions such as Southbank, Factory, Midlands Art Centre, and Steamhouse.[7]

Rezayan's dedication to engaging with children and young people from diasporic and less advantaged communities is central to his work with Factory International. This commitment is evident in the year-round Factory International Schools program, which launched in 2023.[8]

Discography

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Singles & EPs

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Spend

(12", 33 ⅓ RPM)

Local Talk LT046 2014
Bad You

(12", 33 ⅓ RPM)

Skylax LAX 141 2015
Jamie 3:26 & Masalo / Sameed – Testify / Can't U Local Talk 2016
Sameed, Contours, Replete (3) – Hà Nội Nights

(12", 33 ⅓ RPM, EP)

Ele Records ELE002 2017
Late Night Noodles EP

(12", EP, Promo, Stereo)

G.A.M.M. GAMM109 2017
Spy Edits 03

(12", 33 ⅓ RPM)

Spy Edits SPYEDITS 03 2018
Old Songs

(12", Ltd, Stereo)

Basic Fingers FINGER034 2021
Ode To G EP

(12", 33 ⅓ RPM, EP)

Better Listen Records BLR021 2022

Appearances

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Singles & EPs

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PhoVarious – Secret Bunch Vol. I

(12", EP)

Secret Crunch SCR003 2017
See Ma Thing On YouDJ Sprinkles, Hardrock Striker – Skylax House Explosion II (Under The Loft)

(12", 33 ⅓ RPM)

Skylax LAXSHE2 2018
New BellVarious – Limited Series 07

(12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Ltd, W/Lbl, Hand Stamped )

Banoffee Pies BPLS007, 07 2018

Compilations

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Dusty Jazz (Late Night Edit)Various – Jazzy-Ish By Mad Mats

(10×File, ALAC, Comp)

Local Talk LTISH 01 2022
Spend (Money)Various – 1990-Ish (The '90s House Sound On Local Talk) (Part 1)

(12×File, FLAC, Comp)

Local Talk ISH005, Part 1 2023

Mixes

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Bad YouDJ Sprinkles, Hardrock Striker – Skylax House Explosion

(2×CD, Mixed)

Skylax LAXCD150 2018

References

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  1. ^ Radio, N. T. S. "Sameed". NTS Radio. Retrieved 2024-06-28.
  2. ^ Witmer, Phil (2018-07-10). "These Ultra-Jazzy Mixes of 90s Rap Samples Are a Crate-Digger's Dream". Vice. Retrieved 2024-06-28.
  3. ^ SAMEED - Ode To G EP Vinyl at Juno Records., retrieved 2024-06-28
  4. ^ Matthew, Terry (2017-01-06). "Jamie 3:26, Masalo, Sameed Release Scorching "Testify"/"Can't U"". 5 Magazine. Retrieved 2024-06-28.
  5. ^ a b "How sampling permeates art and music". Novation. Retrieved 2024-06-28.
  6. ^ "Reframe: The Residency Exhibition". www.southbankcentre.co.uk. Retrieved 2024-06-28.
  7. ^ Support, Team (2023-03-03). "Factory International Presents ' Reframe ' & Apple Collaboration". Unity Radio. Retrieved 2024-06-28.
  8. ^ Gallop, Joe (2023-09-05). "Factory International announces training and learning oppurtunities". Access All Areas. Retrieved 2024-06-28.