In the first two decades of the 21st century, few have controlled the cultural weather quite like Stephen and David Dewaele. The Dewaeles are familiar to millions as 2manydjs, a project which undoubtedly moved the needle for modern DJing. In 2002, after a string of creative broadcasts on radio while still known primarily as a rock band, they released As Heard On Radio Soulwax Pt. 2.

This was a mix so giddy, creative, genre-blurring and downright fun that it could only be considered equal to a full-length album – which is exactly what happened, tallying Album of the Year and Album of the Decade accolades from the likes of The New York Times, Spin, The Face, Pitchfork and more, and shifting over half a million copies globally.

As Heard On Radio Soulwax Pt. 2 is now reissued featuring Richard Young’s iconic original photography. To celebrate this 20th anniversary, 2manydjs will perform at London’s Brixton Academy on Saturday December 17th alongside Miss Kittin, Charlotte Adigéry & Bolis Pupul and other 2002-specific special guests to be announced.

The Belgian brothers-in-arms are also known to many as electronic/indie rock band Soulwax, the adored group whose combination of rock, rave and gleaming white suits has proved irresistible to record buyers and festival-goers from the 1990s to the present day.

Through their Ghent-based studio and record label Deewee, the Dewaeles continue to push cutting-edge electronic music, including Charlotte Adigéry & Bolis Pupul’s infectious Topical Dancer, one of 2022’s most celebrated electronic pop albums. They have also kept up a hot streak as remixers, applying their signature jagged-yet-refined electro touch to the likes of Róisín Murphy, Peggy Gou, Robyn, Sylvester, Fontaines D.C., Wet Leg and Marie Davidson. Despacio, the roving audiophile soundsystem which the Dewaeles undertake alongside LCD Soundsystem’s James Murphy, completes the picture.

Alongside like-minded allies such as Erol Alkan, Tiga and Jacques lu Cont, 2manydjs swept dancefloors into delirium, gifting a rock ‘n’ roll attitude to club culture. With As Heard On Radio Soulwax Pt. 2 as their genre-blurring calling card, the Dewaeles’ unique style managed to be deeply credible and hugely scalable, propelling the brothers to dance music’s summit, a vantage point from which they never came back down.

STAFF COMMENTS

Matt says: I’m not joking. In 2002 (the year this was released), this was THE mixtape to be seen with. Period. Infact, your very success with the opposite / same sex depended largely on whether you had this (at the time) bootleg CD-R in your collection. It got hammered so much we all knew the tracklist and running order off by heart. It introduced us then-teenagers to the joys of the mash-up, and propelled a then-burgeoning David and Stephen Dewaele into the ears of the youth, the dancefloors of the (young) adults, and the columns of the hottest music press at the time. It was and still is quite a phenomenal landmark in music culture. Referenced a million times over and played even more so.

I’ve never seen it on vinyl. Ever. Whether that’s my own ignorance, turning my back on my teenage dreams as I matured into adulthood or, as it happens, it’s actually quite rare! (it’s the latter – I just checked at the 2012 press goes for about £200!).

It’s still the ultimate soundtrack to get ready for your Saturday night. Capturing that youthful energy and hitting us with hit after hit presented in the most unusual and infectious ways. Unfortunately it’s unlikely to piss yer parents off as much as it did in 2002 cos they probably already know it!

TRACK LISTING

Kylie Minogue – Can’t Get You Out Of My Head (Soulwax
Elektronic Remix) * CD Only
Emerson, Lake & Palmer – Peter Gunn (Live)
Basement Jaxx – Where’s Your Head At (Head-A-Pella)
Peaches – Fuck The Pain Away
The Velvet Underground – I’m Waiting For The Man
Polyester – J’aime Regarder Les Mecs
Sly And The Family Stone – Dance To The Music
Ready For The World – Oh Sheila (A Capella)
Dakar & Grinser – I Wanna Be Your Dog
Ural 13 Diktators – Disko Kings
Bobby Orlando – The “O” Medley
Felix Da Housecat – Silverscreen-Shower Scene
The Stooges – No Fun
Salt ‘N Pepa – Push It
Hanayo With Jürgen Paape – Joe Le Taxi
The Jets – Crush On You (A Capella)
Funkacise Gang – Funkacise
Soul Grabber – Motocross Madness
Lil Louis And The World – French Kiss
Zongamin – Serious Trouble
Garbage – Androgyny ‘Thee Glitz Mix’ By Felix Da Housecat
Frank Delour – Disc Jockey’s Delight Vol. 2
The Residents – Kaw-Liga (Prairie Mix)
Carlos Morgan – Shake Your Body
Alphawezen – Into The Stars (Firebirds Remix)
Interstellar – Concepts
Nena – 99 Luftballons
Destiny’s Child – Independent Women Part 1 (A Capella)
10cc – Dreadlock Holiday
Dolly Parton – 9 To 5
Royksopp – Eple
Arbeid Adelt – Death Disco
Jeans Team – Keine Melodien Feat. Mj Lan
Skee.Lo – I Wish (A Capella)
Maurice Fulton Presents Stress – My Gigolo
The Breeders – Cannonball
The Cramps – Human Fly
The Wildbunch – Danger! High Voltage
Op:l Bastards – Don’t Bring Me Down
Adult – Hand To Phone
Vitalic – La Rock 01
Queen Of Japan – I Was Made For Loving You
New Order – The Beach
Detroit Grand Pubahs – Sandwiches (A Capella)
Lords Of Acid – I Sit On Acid (Soulwax Remix)
Streamer Feat. Private Thoughts In Public Places – Start Button