Review:
Sizzlingly hot UK label Jalepeno's latest signing is Brighton based producer-slash-intelligent-sound-designer, Asta Hiroki. The Balance EP is Hiroki's debut effort and features four tracks heavily indebted to Teebs, James Blake and Flying Lotus. Two tracks features the silky vocals of Kathrin deBoer (Tru Thoughts) - the sensuously orchestrated acoustic-lead "Her Image In Focus" and the loose and loungey "Hold Tight". Elsewhere we get the 90s-style hazily broken dub-out "Beatrice" and the ethereal loops of the almost vanished "Most & Least". Quality stuff.
Review:
Our main man DR Rubberfunk is back to enrich our weekends with some outernational vibes and quality drum breaking, courtesy of the ever-reliable Jalapeno label. "How Beautiful" instils the good vibes with a strong cut of drums, breaks, bass and, of course, the man's trademark vocal samples - a true party tune! The title track "Pressure Cooker" is funkier, more melodic, and leaning on some surf-rock vibes, while "Beautiful Drums" strips the melodies down to a banging, seductive rhythm of kicks and percussive samples. This is pure party material, people!
Review:
This London based band has risen in profile steadily since they broke onto the scene a couple of years ago with their critically acclaimed debut album entitled Nothing Is Easy. They've established themselves both at home and on the continent with a combination of a tireless touring schedules and prolific writing periods that sees them having completed album number three in as many years. As before, this new album once again sees them refresh their sound with a new set of influences and direction. Always unafraid to push the boundaries of their craft, this release unashamedly emanates jazz, afrobeat and psychedelia which galvanises the soul and R&B that remains at the core of the band's sound.
