DJ Vadim

On his latest effort, U.S.S.R.: The Art of Listening, Russian-born, wax-spinning bohemian DJ Vadim deftly matches ambient soul soundscapes with urgent sermonizing from a collective of underground MCs, including a sublime performance from Atmosphere frontman Slug on a tune called “Edie Brikell.” In a live setting, Vadim, who’s toured with everyone from the Roots to Kraftwerk, is known to mix it up, offering extemporaneous remixes and impromptu takes on any number of electronic astral works.