Welsh producer Don Leisure has carved an innovative path over the last decade, establishing himself as a bold, experimental force in contemporary music.
His journey began under his own name, Jamal, crafting drum’ n bass in the late 2000s, but everything shifted when he joined forces with Che Ahmed to form Darkhouse Family. This collaboration birthed his new identity, Don Leisure, and set the stage for a distinctive career marked by fearless exploration.
Now a central figure in the modern beat-making landscape, Don Leisure is known for pushing boundaries and blending genres with rare finesse.
Alongside his work in Darkhouse Family with Earl Jeffers, he has collaborated with artists like Angel Bat Dawid, Gruff Rhys, DJ Spinna, and First Word label-mates Amanda Whiting and Tyler Daley (of Children of Zeus), enhancing his reputation as a visionary in the scene.
Driven by a deep passion for music, Don has developed an exhaustive understanding of various genres and subcultures. Recently, he has turned his attention to the richly textured world of Welsh psychedelic folk from the 1960s, particularly the catalog of Sain Records—an iconic label known for championing homegrown Welsh talent.
Embracing this sonic treasure trove, Don brings his signature, genre-bending creativity to two cult classics from Sain’s vault, transforming them into the captivating single “Cynnau Tân” (or “Light a Fire”).
For this new track, he teams up with fellow Welsh musician Carwyn Ellis, who lends vocals to the project, fresh from his collaborations with Coco Maria on his Rio 18 project. Together, they weave swirling ’60s-inspired atmospheres, where delay-drenched vocals blend seamlessly with hypnotic chord progressions to create a mesmerizing vibe.
The result is a smoldering, psychedelic journey that showcases Don’s ability to reimagine forgotten gems and turn them into modern masterpieces.
As he gears up for a larger project set for release in 2025, “Cynnau Tân” serves as a glimpse into Don Leisure’s ongoing exploration of Wales’ musical heritage, bringing new life to an often-overlooked legacy.
Check out “Cynnau Tân” by Don Leisure here.
Don Leisure: Bandcamp
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