Hagan sits at the intersection of two cultures and has manifested in creating a progressive sound marinated around African polyrhythms and its often unsung influence on European club culture.

Having released forward facing riddims on labels such as Enchufada and Future Bounce with remixes for Dengue Dengue Dengue. The South-London based producer marks his debut on Gobstopper Records with Waves filled three heavily percussive club constructions unlocking another dimension to his sound.

On opener ‘Waves’,ambient atmospherics smoothly open up to muted arpeggiated brass and light Rhodes chords which are given further vim by ancestral Dondo percussion and rattling cowbells. A remnant of his recent productions having spent time recording traditional Ghanaian percussionists at the legendary Vivivi Studios in Accra.

Influenced by the O.G. Lil Silva think Night Skanker meets Cheese & Bun, ‘Ultra’ sets pace from the off personifying the infectious Praise and Worship section of Pentecostal Church with a raw kick drum foundation filled with jump up Soca energy to induce hypnotic hand claps. Wobbly Acid synths circle around breathless Gqom-inspired vocals that serve as the baton to skank and sweat on the floor.

Drawing from clash culture backended by a car alarm signal,’On Sight’ is a machine blend where dark UK Funky meets Detroit Techno in melodic matrimony. Hollowed ancestral harks welded with lost lasers are aided by a surging synth bass add to the groove of the riddim.

A fresh sonic reconnection reflecting the call and response between the world’s youngest continent and the West via children of African heritage. Waves is deep sonic territory for the evolution of his sound resonating with peers who are taking ownership of their blackness on a global level balancing both the darker shades and hope in the form of light once more.

released September 25, 2020

Mastered by Alex Gordon at Abbey Road Studios
Art by Ross Aitken
Words by Christian Adofo

Waves

A talented producer with deep Ghanaian roots and UK upbringing, Brendan Hagan Opoku Ware better known as Hagan sits at the intersection of two cultures and has manifested in creating a progressive sound marinated around African polyrhythms and it’s often unsung influence on European club culture.

Having released forward facing riddims on labels such as Enchufada and Future Bounce with remixes for Dengue Dengue Dengue. The South-London based producer marks his debut on Gobstopper Records with Waves filled three heavily percussive club constructions unlocking another dimension to his sound.

On opener ‘Waves’,ambient atmospherics smoothly open up to muted arpeggiated brass and light Rhodes chords which are given further vim by ancestral Dondo percussion and rattling cowbells. A remnant of his recent productions having spent time recording traditional Ghanaian percussionists at the legendary Vivivi Studios in Accra.

Influenced by the O.G. Lil Silva think Night Skanker meets Cheese & Bun, ‘Ultra’ sets pace from the off personifying the infectious Praise and Worship section of Pentecostal Church with a raw kick drum foundation filled with jump up Soca energy to induce...  more
credits
released September 25, 2020

Mastered by Alex Gordon at Abbey Road Studios
Art by Ross Aitken
Words by Christian Adofo