Tracklist & Soundclips:
|
01 |
|
IAMSYS (Tape Intro) |
|
clip |
|
|
02 |
|
Guuurl |
|
clip |
|
|
03 |
|
Kelly Brook |
|
clip |
|
|
04 |
|
One Thing (ft. Jenna Andrews) |
|
clip |
|
|
05 |
|
Flower |
|
clip |
|
|
06 |
|
Swallowing Smoke |
|
clip |
|
|
07 |
|
Without You (ft. Kerry Leatham) |
|
clip |
|
|
08 |
|
Straight Over My Head |
|
clip |
|
|
09 |
|
Dance (ft. Astrid Williamson) |
|
clip |
|
|
10 |
|
The Dead Sea |
|
clip |
|
|
11 |
|
Walking Words |
|
clip |
|
|
12 |
|
O E A (ft. Kerry Leatham) (Tape Outro) |
|
clip |
|
In a world in which upstart DiY talent is flooding the gates of electronic music, a few recent voices have been so strong as to be startling. Lapalux - AKA 25-year-old Stuart Howard - is certainly one such. As singular as a brilliant artist always should be, his instinctive understanding of the atmospheric power of texture grips the ear immediately on listening. 'Nostalchic' is his debut album, mission statement, and the climax of many years of studying his craft. The amalgam of words that make the title is aptly, and perhaps knowingly chosen. The album evokes nostalgia without ever sounding nostalgic, and Howard may have had his tongue in his chic when he added the second half of the title. The album is his most focused document to date, adding his beloved R&B and soul into elements of house and hip hop, all with the trademark Lapalux finish, infectious, lopsided swing and achingly deep texture.
Lapalux was raised in rural Essex, midway between countryside and town, the classic, isolated hinterland that's produced many a distinctive British voice. There's a yearning sense to the record that it's tempting to relate to the young Howard's dreams about what his eventual escape into larger life might be. He certainly had a dream start when a shot-in-the-dark email to electronic hothouse Brainfeeder was immediately answered by label head Flying Lotus himself, who quickly moved on to sign him. To this day, Lapalux remains the only British artist on the Los Angeles based label.
Having made fans out of Diplo and SBTRKT, remixed everyone from Lianne La Havas via Crystal Fighters to Bonobo, Tawiah, AlunaGeorge and Speech Debelle, as well as supporting FlyLo and playing the main stage at Sonar and in Japan with Clark, it's prime time for Lapalux's debut full length. Happily, it was well worth the wait.
As declared by opener 'Tape Intro,' Lapalux is a keen experimenter with tape, looping and layering sounds via the warm-feeling format provides textures that are haunting, beautiful, fragile, and somehow familiar and alien all at once. These experiments are both purposeful and successful, and their result is dizzyingly good. Add to this his gift for treating a vocal, and the effect is profound.
If many producers use the electronic staples – glitches, fragments and unfamiliar swing – few know how to use them with such intent as Lapalux. Howard adopts these devices only to enhance the emotional force of his music, never simply for their own sake. On single 'Without You,' (which features the brilliant Kerry Leatham,) the rainy-day, heartbreaking blues is made all the more powerful by the slowed-and-sped vocal. Sung straight, it wouldn't have had the sense of shattered, conflicting emotion that it does. This is electronic music at its finest: affecting and haunting in a way no other 'genre' can be.
‘Straight Over my Head’ illustrates Howard’s ability to write a brilliant song. From its tentative, melancholic start, a bassline opens up like a sudden, breathtaking vista, the song abruptly driving forward and taking the listener helplessly with it. On 'The Dead Sea,' a squall of jazz trumpets plays over urgent percussion, swirling bass and vocal-like textures to heady effect.
‘Nostalchic’ not only has all the hallmarks of a great album – a sense of cohesive purpose, its own themes, arcs and internal logic – it’s an album that could only have been made in electronic music. Howard understands the power and capabilities that are offered by his form, and he’s used them to the full.
From Auckland's favourite live Latin trio comes Sonido de Latinaotearoa. LatinAotearoa's debut album is a collection of salsa, bossa and soul influenced tunes with an impressive line-up of guests from jazz legend Nathan Haines to award-winning hip hop artist Tom Scott of Homebrew.
LatinAotearoa was born from the concept of blending local flavours with the colourful culture of South America. Popular Auckland DJ Bobby Brazuka brought together Venezuelan songstress Jennifer Zea and multi-talented musician and producer Isaac Aesili to create a unique live performance. Bobby's Latin influenced soul-funk and hip hop selections were layered with Jennifer's ravishing vocals and Isaac's explosive percussion.
The local response was so positive that the trio tested international waters in 2012 by taking their sound to Europe and Australia. It was soon apparent that this was not just a recipe for kiwi appetites – bustling crowds meant promoters were quick to discuss future tours. This natural progression and a desire to develop musically led to what felt like an inevitable next step; new and original productions to season an already flavoursome set.
With a Latin jazz and soul background, Jennifer's live vocals over recognised contemporary tracks blend so seamlessly they pass as originals. One particular fan favourite, a Spanish spin of Ladi 6's soul number, Walk Right Up, is delivered so exceptionally that the artist permitted an official LatinAotearoa version to be made. This collaborative approach to creating new music became the catalyst for producing an exciting and original debut album.
Former Opensouls trumpeter Isaac Aesili, who recently returned from touring Japan and Europe with his new project Funkommunity, produced the 14 unique tracks that are Sonido de Latinaotearoa during New Zealand's endless summer. Working with some of the country's most prestigious musical talents, Isaac crafted an extraordinary assortment of contemporary Latin rhythms.
Influences from salsa composer Tito Puento and bossa nova singer Astrud Gilberto to more modern artists such Nickodemus, Fania All Stars and Quantic can be heard throughout. From melodic ballad La Procesion to the simmering Latin dancehall track Something About You with Tom Scott and reggae singer Jah Red Lion, this is an array of varying tempos that flow elegantly as an album.
Guests aside, the signature sound of Latinaotearoa is ever-present; Jennifer's sultry vocals, Isaac's brilliant musicianship and Bobby's firm vision has created a fresh and unique sound that will receive a rapturous response when played live. Sonido de Latinaotearoa is much more than an album – it's a watershed moment for Latin music in Aotearoa.
Comments
0 Comments