Review:
Self-proclaimed "funk lover, crate digger and sometime beatmaker" Apedriod makes his debut, after years working dancefloors in his native Sweden. Given that it's his first outing, Banana Beats is incredibly assured, offering a slew of tracks that blend bright, jazz-flecked guitars and other organic funk elements with a variety of rhythms. Opener "Enter The Apedriod" is like jazz-funk in dub, while "Brotherman" opts for a warm, boogie-house flex. Nell Halford collaboration "Electric" delivers a dash of sunny-day soul, while "Latin Disco Lover" delivers a cheery, Only Child-ish take on instrumental disco-soul. Throw in some crackly funk rock breaks (see "Release The Funk" and "Wisdom Of Youth") and you've got a quietly impressive debut.