Bluegrass With Dancehall? Greek Cumbias? Why the heck not?

Name: Thornato

Where He’s From: New York City

When He Started: 2009

Genre: Pan-awesome dance jams

Most Similar: Uproot Andy, Diplo

Sounds Like: 808s and soundscapes

One of the top talents coming up in the “global bass” DJ scene, Thor Partridge (alias Thornato) doesn’t mess around even a little bit. The DJ/producer from New York City’s able Cumba Mela crew has made a name for himself with straightforward, infectious remixes of both traditional tunes and ghetto party jams. Whereas many beatsmiths attempt to burrow into your brain with all sorts of experimental weirdness, Thornato’s music is designed for the places that really matter: the booty and the soul.

Raised in New York City by Swedish-Cypriot parents, Thor entered the world of electronic music almost by accident. At age 19, he chopped off the tip of his finger while cooking. The doctors sewed it back on, but told him he couldn’t play the guitar for six months. Desperately in need of musical expression, Thor got himself a laptop and some music software and started making beats.

And thank Odin he did. Since becoming Thornato a few years ago, he’s consistently brought us that tastiness. Who else mashed-up a Mexican cumbia with a Deep South spiritual and traditional Greek music? Who else successfully reimagined a bluegrass standard as a wind-worthy dancehall banger? Thornato has given the club treatment to everything from throat singing and Afro-Colombian drumming, to reggaeton and African pop, all without an ounce of the cheese often found in such multi-culti endeavors.

Watch out for a debut album sometime in 2013, and, in the meantime, peruse the tracks below: