Straight Foxin' LP

German-born, Amsterdam based don Retromigration (AKA Malik Kassim) steps into the big leagues, letting loose his debut album on WOLF Music. ‘Straight Foxin’ contains fourteen expertly executed tracks, ranging from hazy beats and jazz-tinged broken rhythms to club-ready groovers, deep excursions, soulful footwork and even some jungle energy. An LP that has long been in the works (and for good reason), it’s packed with a flavour for every occasion. You just know a long player from this player is going to cover all bases.

Over the past few years, Retromigration has built up a loyal following and gained solid support from tastemakers within the electronic music press and radio landscape. For example, BBC Radio 1, NTS Radio, Worldwide FM, Mixmag, DJ Mag, Phonica, Ransom Note, 5 Magazine, Bolting Bits, SlothBoogie all giving his music their seal of approval. With representation from one of the scene’s most credible DJ agencies, Sounds Familiar, Retromigration has also got a busy international DJing schedule and will be touring to support the album release. With an impressive run of releases via Handy, Healthy Scratch, wewillalwaysbealovesong and WOLF in a relatively short space – Retromigration has established himself as hot property and it’s clear to see why. A distinctive style and energy permeate his tracks with a breadth of influences on offer, from hip hop, to jazz, soul to funk.
 
His debut LP, ‘Straight Foxin’, is a carefully curated and crafted journey showcasing the creative explosions firing off in his brain. Joining the dots between genres, taking elements from here, ideas from there – twisting and turning yet never out of place. Take the opening three tracks, all of which are tied together by a deep fondness for jazz, served up in different styles. ‘Kunta’ kicks off proceedings with a hazy and low-slung blend, ‘Formant’ leaning into the realms of broken beat and DnB and ‘Be Someone’ cruises in with the off-kilter house.

Elsewhere, there’s prime examples of Retromigration’s signature sample-laden house with deeper cuts like ‘Mada’ and ‘Bouncer’, sitting side by side with more soulful explorations such as ‘New Cribs’ and ‘ITWT’. As we delve deeper into the record another course of Retromigration’s expansive taste is served up, with four high-energy hits. The bouncing footwork flavours of ‘Kush Love’ ft. Passion Deez and ethereal excursion ‘What If’ lead into a captivating nod to the heydays of jungle and DnB on ‘Mild Fever’ and ‘Bad Knees’ respectively. Straight Foxin, mad flexin – Retromigration has laid down the law with this LP, a debut album done right.

Retromigration - Straight Foxin' LP

‘Be Someone’ is the first single to be taken from Dam-based don Retromigration’s debut album. Fourteen expertly executed tracks that range from hazy beats and jazz-tinged broken rhythms to club-ready groovers, deep excursions, soulful footwork and even some jungle energy. A flavour for every occasion and damn it tastes good.

With an envious run of releases on the likes of Handy, Healthy Scratch, wewillalwaysbealovesong and WOLF in a relatively short space – Retormigration is a hot property and it’s clear to see why. We are confident this album will be his breakthrough release, solidifying his status on the scene. There is already that tell-tale ripple of anticipation that lets you know the audience is primed, and with the quality of this album, it’s only a matter of time.

‘Be Someone’ features Bezzix and here the duo masterfully blend shuffling, latin percussion, strings, sax, piano, double bass and vocals. It’s a soulful, jazzy, melodic blend of the organic and electronic, culminating in an off-kilter deep house jam, full of Retromigration's trademark swagger. Fans of Masters At Work, Kerri Chandler, Ron Trent, et al will be into this one.

@retromigration
www.instagram.com/retromigration

Retromigration - ITWT Ft. Mauricesax

WOLF Music