In an era defined by superficiality, DJ Maestro — a.k.a. Martijn Barkhuis — proves once again why true craftsmanship is timeless. His new DJ-mixed album Deep Trip 2 takes the listener on a late-night journey through the deepest corners of house, jazz, and soul. To do again what he does best: bringing forgotten jazz releases back into the spotlight of the dance floor. Everyone Is a DJ. But Not Everyone Can Spin An evening behind the decks has become the favorite side gig of every B-list actor. Dating profiles are full of photos of men and women with a pair of headphones wedged between ear and shoulder. And what the Chanel bag is for women, the headphone is for the wannabe DJ: the ultimate status symbol. But being a DJ is not a matter of downloading a few tracks and looking irresistible behind a DJ set. Spinning records is a craft — whether old-school vinyl or digital. And to practice your craft well, you need talent and a solid education. Just as you can see whether a visual artist has a classical background, and just as you can taste in which starred restaurant a chef was trained, you can hear in a DJ's mix whether they truly understand music. Maestro: A Craftsman with Classical Roots Maestro (a.k.a. Martijn Barkhuis, Groningen, 1970) has that understanding. He grew up in a musical family, had a violin pressed into his hands at the age of seven, and spent his entire youth playing in youth orchestras. Although he lost his heart to the Amsterdam club scene in his twenties, that classical background remains clearly audible: in his original selections, in his impeccable structure, and above all in his flawless mixing technique. He also possesses a rare gift for breathing new life into forgotten sounds. Five Times Platinum His Blue Note Trips — eight compilations for the legendary jazz label Blue Note — became a worldwide success. They earned him numerous international bookings at the most exclusive venues in the world, as well as five platinum records. At home in Amsterdam, Maestro has one of the most impressive vinyl collections in The Netherlands, and still holds the reputation as the man who stripped jazz of its dusty image. He performed the same feat for the legendary Verve jazz label and Bethlehem Records (the label that discovered Nina Simone) in New York — to do again what he does best: bringing forgotten jazz artists back into the spotlight of the dance floor. Deep Trip 2: Deeper, Warmer, Unmistakably Maestro Following the success of the first instalment — released in July 2025 on Black Hole Recordings — Maestro returns with Deep Trip 2. Where the first chapter bridged jazz and house rhythms, this new chapter plunges even deeper: warmer grooves, hypnotic rhythms, and rich, soulful textures. The whole unfolds like a late-night journey — intimate, layered, and unmistakably Maestro. The jazz spirit still pulses beneath the surface, but Deep Trip 2 leans into lush atmospheres and contemporary soulful house sounds — the work of an artist who evolves without losing his core identity. An invitation to slow down, sink in, and let the music carry you somewhere new. “His music enchants audiences worldwide with a jazzy, soulful blend that sets the standard in musical storytelling.” That he also happens to look irresistible is a welcome bonus — but it’s not what makes him a great DJ. — Mara Grimm Tracklist: 01. Enflure - PE To Durban (Jay Airiness Remix)02. Werkha - Pick Up Football03. Anchorsong featuring Bookend - The Ocean04. Heights of Abraham - Sunshine05. Han Litz Group - Tucan Playa (Manoo's Steps Remix)06. Charles Webster - I Understand07. Matthias Vogt - Shimmering Sea08. Vick Lavender - Paint A Picture09. Kid Sublime - Deep In The Tropics10. Trinidadian Deep - Deep moods (Vincent Inc Remix)11. Oscar P - Your Local News (Soul Minority Deep Mix)12. Lrusse - Elegant Watches13. Reggie Dokes - Venus To Detroit14. Alton Miller - Bring Me Down (Coflo Instrumental)15. Kiko Navarro featuring Gabriele Poso & Paco Colombas - Painful Goodbye (Hasta Siempre Reprise)
