“The seaside encourages and capitalises on transgression,” says Brighton-based cultural commentator Andy Medhurst. “Seaside culture is somewhere [where] the everyday rules of behaviour are put on hold. Compared to the average working week, where most people have to do set things at set times for set rewards, the seaside is a zone where all bets are off. It gives us the opportunity to write our own rules; in some cases, that can mean the usual codes of respectability cease to hold much sway.
“Seaside towns are literally and metaphorically on the edge. They give a very particular perspective. When you look back inland, nothing seems as settled as it once did – and those instabilities can be culturally productive.”

Motto of the Wheel

Teresa Winter - Motto of the Wheel [RAVE031]

V/A - Kikommando
Label: PAN / Hakuna Kulala
Cat.No. PAN 124 / HK029
Format: DL / Book
Release Date: 6 August 2021
Purchase: pan.lnk.to/Kikommando
Video: bit.ly/3i2EgSg

A collective effort from a vital scene in Kampala, KIKOMMANDO takes its name from Ugandan street food of flat bread and beans. As a ‘food of soldiers’ offering maximum energy for minimum funds, the eponymous mixtape, video series and book project is an equally nourishing and ambitious proposition. It all began in the East African summer of 2018, during a two-month residency at the Nyege Nyege label and collective’s villa, in collaboration with their sublabel Hakuna Kulala. Producer and PAN artist Simone Trabucchi (aka STILL) opened the door to his temporary studio in the city and a crucial cross-cultural collaboration was born.

“The intention was to record as much as possible,” Trabucchi says about KIKOMMANDO’s musical showcase of eight Kampala-based artists, coming from the spectrum of musical influences, crossing trap, drill, cut ups, kuduro, electro, smooth jams—the list goes on. In creating a sonic space to support the expression of its featured singers, poets and emcees, the mixtape ties countless styles and flows into a single snapshot of a particular part of the Kampala music scene, at a particular point in time. The invective of rapper and street legend Blaq Bandana’s “Nkwaata” is laid over a spare and brooding ambient. Kampala Unit trumpet player and first-time singer, Florence, rolls a thick melodic texture through the organic clicks, knocks and atmospherics of “Bae Tasanze”. Jahcity’s unique lyricism combines a personal take on traditional music and soulful-reggae with a jerky, wobbly collection of drops and donks.

Meanwhile, Ecko Bazz applies his grimey vocals and rhythmic, introspective words to lead single ‘Ntabala (Rolex Riddim) at a particularly pertinent moment of self-reflection. “I was trying to listen to the voice inside myself and wanted to achieve a higher level of understanding of things, life,” he says about the themes that he felt inspired to explore with Trabucchi at the recording desk. The accompanying video, shot on a rooftop in the Kampala neighborhood of Ggaba, is one of a series of slick and high-definition films complementing each one of the KIKOMMANDO tracks. These also include contributions from Ugandan emcee and key Hakuna Kulala member Biga Yut, don dada of the GabaGaza gang Swordman Kitala (with Omutaba on percussion) and South Sudanese poet and singer Winnie Lado.

Also accompanying a ‘visual mixtape’ of moving images for each song on KIKOMMANDO is a recording diary of sorts, where Trabucchi compiles a vibrant collection of pictures, colours and textures reflecting the its heterogeneous sonic palette into a book. Together this multifaceted, interdisciplinary project showcases, what Lamin Fofana’s liner notes describe as, “amazing originality, complexity”, while “embracing dissonance”.

Trabucchi’s personal take on a kind of ‘digital dancehall’ defined the sound of his ground-breaking rumination on Italy’s colonial history on debut STILL album, I, in 2017. KIKOMMANDO is a different proposition entirely, where he finds new ways to complement the personality and skills of its contributors sprung from a constant stream of visitors arriving at the Nyege Nyege Villa’s makeshift studio. “It was a dialogue,” stresses Trabucchi, who has always preferred collaboration as a means to escape branded and stereotypical identities, while creating something new. “I created the musical platform to make the singers confident, and challenged them at the same time. Working together accelerates ideas and reveals that nothing is your invention alone. That’s why KIKOMMANDO is a mixtape to me, and not an album.”

The mixtape is mastered by Rashad Becker, featuring artwork by NMR. Tracks 1, 2, 3, 4, 7, 9, 11 & 12 mixed by Ville Haimala. Tracks 5, 6 & 8 mixed by Lorenzo Dal Ri.

@hakunakulala

KIKOMMANDO

STILL, Biga Yut - Plupawa (PAN 124 / HK029)

From 'Canon', by Ábris Gryllus
Vocals by Jessica Simet
Mastered by Miles Whittaker

Available on ltd. edition tape and unlimited digital from Boomkat.com

https://abrisgryllus.com
bit.ly/3AGR6gL

Canon

Ábris Gryllus - OBJECT 09 [RAVE035]

On his debut release, the Franco-Cameroonian producer teams up with newly-christened Paris imprint, Deardogs, on four genre-defying tracks which combine popular reference, epic synth melodies and sharp percussion. 

The fire cooked his eyes as they faced them, nude. He no longer experienced the flames with sight alone, but felt the heat overwhelm his body so that he himself became one amongst them. He lost perception of his own relation to space and resigned to a condition of placelessness. Here, he felt most at home and would remain until the world's cold waves swept him back to shore.

Through his DJ sets, membership of Parisian collective Bruits de la Passion and residency on LYL radio, Zulu explores the myriad forms of rap music from across the globe, skilfully interweaving tracks with electronic instrumentals to deftly confuse generic boundaries. With this in mind, some of the more eagle-eared listeners will recognise the referential significance of Zulu's debut release. The title track of 'Smart and Loyal' EP, released as a single last week, is a track which basks in the strange and incongruous, featuring the unmistakable tag of DJ Khaled which continuously leaps to the surface before suffocating beneath razor-sharp breaks and doomy synths.
This is where Zulu thrives: in the intersection between playfulness, pastiche and sincerity, letting you get comfortable before scolding you for laughing.

Our pick 'Mentally I'm Here' - a nominal (and no doubt ironic) reference to internet culture - further embodies this trope, as well as Zulu's mastery of the switch-up. This track is tumultuous, steadily building tension which suddenly dffuses you wonder why you were afraid. Watch out for Zulu, we think he might be on to something...

Smart & Loyal

PREMIERE: Zulu - Mentally I'm Here [Deardogs]

multidisciplinary artist Vina Konda presents his project Yromem on TEMƎT. It’s an album, an art exhibition and a live show, all at once.

Grab cd and digital at temet.bandcamp.com

'Yromem' is a captivating new musical project that blends proto- electronic, industrial, techno, ambient, and metal influences with a modern twist. Inspired by the iconic sound of the 2000s and made specifically for the millennial generation.

As a part of a larger constellation,Vina Konda has created an immersive exhibition showcasing a recreation of a millennial bedroom complete with art pieces inspired by his own teenage years. Experience the music come to life as Vina Konda performs live with a band in this unique setting.

Step into the world of 'Yromem' and immerse yourself in a musical journey that takes you on a trip down memory lane, filled with nostalgia, energy, and raw emotions. Don't miss out on this one-of-a-kind release.
credits

Vina Konda Vina Konda - H3ar

TR. 23 Instrumental
PreconceivedThought

-END-

BLUR Instrumentals

PreconceivedThought Instrumental

23 - PreconceivedThought (instrumental)

Hear the slow-building, delightfully cacophonic remix of @tomasurquieta's Anatomía by PAN and Janus regular @m-e-s-h, forthcoming on @infinite-machine.

Read more on Dummy.

La Muerte De Todo Lo Nuevo

Tomás Urquieta - Anatomía (M.E.S.H. Remix)

See here for more info: https://www.aqnb.com/2019/06/21/m-james-launches-a-name-change-a-new-series-with-the-brooding-drum-beat-intra-personal-dialogue-of-sidewinder/

Lust as A Form of Crisis [MJAMES001]

M. James, 'Sidewinder' (2019). Courtesy the artist.

February 14 will be an even more special date in the calendar this year, as @aquarian's debut album 'The Snake That Eats Itself' is dropping via @bedouinrecords.

'Letting Go At Arm's Length' comes towards the album's close as its most wistful moment, pairing mournful vocal harmonies with a melancholic aural backdrop.

Out digitally on January 24 and physically on February 14. Pre-order it here: https://bedouin.kudosrecords.co.uk/release/bdnx004/aquarian-the-snake-that-eats-itself

The Snake That Eat Itself

More exclusive music

Premiere: Aquarian 'Letting Go At Arm's Length'

DJ X-TASIS - BRICKSQUAD

On ACEN 017 London producer hmurd joins the All Centre ranks following releases on TT & Cherche Encore.

Title track ‘Low Grade Plastics’ continues with the sparse landscapes and dizzying atmospheres explored in hmurds productions so far. Opening with spartan drum choices, heavy kicks and cantering hi-hats sit at the tracks core whilst heavily processed percussion and FX make fleeting appearances. With eight on beat snare drum repetitions the track descends into it’s main theme. An austere four note melody, with frenetic kicks firing off around it as a loosely anchored snare provides a woozy half time rhythm. As the track progresses further FX heighten the sense of tension building around the tracks core, with a single oscillating bass note providing a nod to the tracks dubstep influences.

B side ‘Beighton Champ’ takes a different slant to its counterpart. Rapid hi-hats and percussion signal the tracks beginning and create a rhythmic sense of security, before being dispelled as the track collapses into a series of erratic de-quantised percussion breaks. Suddenly the confusion is broken, melting away into familiar percussion patterns accompanied by an angular melody courtesy of hmurd collaborator Emile Frankel. The melody is suddenly broken by a rising granular sound which signals an abrupt switch to a straighter beat, with kicks, claps and breath sounds carrying the groove.

‘Low Grade Plastics’ is available across all platforms from the 5th of June.

Premiere: Aquarian 'Letting Go At Arm's Length'

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