RHYTHM SECTION HQ - part 3

Nocturne (Chopin)

Dummy

Sour Times

War Ina Babylon

One Step Forward

Groove Theory

10 Minute High

Vol II written, arranged and produced by Z.F.E.X.

A1 - CANDY FLIP

If It Ain't Foreign It's Borin'

Watch Out (feat. Foreign Fred, K Fresh & Set Trip)

Glassbox

Buy / Stream: https://LateNightTales.lnk.to/needledrop

Session Victim today announce their forthcoming 11-track album titled ‘Needledrop’, with new single ‘Made Me Fly’. The single is a collaboration with singer-songwriter Beth Hirsch, best known for her work with French duo Air on their 1998 album ‘Moon Safari’. The music video was created by animator Mike Scott and tells a computer game love story visually inspired by 80’s and 90’s point and click adventure games.

The German pair of Hauke Freer and Matthias Reiling are no strangers to releasing quality long-format albums and while rising through a discerning community of DJ’s have previously released three consecutive albums on tastemaker label Delusions of Grandeur culminating in 2017’s “Listen To Your Heart”. 

Their latest and fourth studio album set to be released on 'Night Time Stories’, the London based sister label to the coveted ‘LateNightTales’, marks a notable move towards the downtempo dynamic of artists like Nightmares on Wax, DJ Shadow and Portishead. Artists that have all played a strong influence in Session Victim’s variety of output over the last decade. ‘Needledrop’ provides a suite of both uplifting and easy-listening moments, refined and understated individually, yet cohesively crafted with the honest musicianship and inarguable credentials that we know of production duo Session Victim. 

As accomplished producers, Session Victim have been intent on delivering a characteristic body of work for uninterrupted play, and with ‘Needledrop’ they have landed with significant inspiration from the lavishly textured and subtly layered jazz and soul compositions that found their way into late 90’s trip hop. 
Fusing an array of live instrumentation and organic groove through their intuitive sampling sessions, Session Victim’s fourth album succeeds in actively engaging the listener’s mood and intellect in equal measure.

Session Victim with Beth Hirsch - Made Me Fly - snippet

Yes Doctor

Brunswick Massive Pt. 2

Duke Hugh returns to Rhythm Section INTL to inaugurate " SHOUTS" - our compilation to mark 5 years of releases. He delivers an ethereal Rhodes piece ‘Zoe’,  which somehow manages to distill the sound of unconditional love into a sub-3 minute composition.

Head to Bandcamp to pre-order the 36 track comp and check out the other premiere from Yu Su.

SHOUTS

Preorder

Duke Hugh - Zoë  [from forthcoming 5 year label compilation]

Breakout star and good friend of the Rhythm Section family, Yu Su drops a bouncy upbeat number to inaugurate our new compilation, " SHOUTS',  celebrating 5 years of the Rhythm Section INTL imprint.

Yu Su - "233"  [from forthcoming 5 year label compilation]

Buy / Stream: https://LateNightTales.lnk.to/needledrop

As accomplished producers, Session Victim have been intent on delivering a characteristic body of work for uninterrupted play. With ‘Needledrop’, Session Victim have landed with significant inspiration from the lavishly textured and subtly layered jazz and soul compositions that found their way into late 90’s trip hop. Fusing an array of live instrumentation and organic melody, ‘The Pain’ incorporates electronic touches whilst skillfully holding intact a chugging groove, bringing listeners on a hypnotic journey complimented by an echoed soothing vocal sample.

“‘The Pain’, which we wrote at Hauke’s place in Berlin, was one of the last tracks on the album to come together. Right from the start this one had a different vibe that we felt was an essential piece to the overall record, channelling something more serious and urgent but ultimately uplifting” – Session Victim

Directed by Peter Malla, the accompanying video offers a visual representation for the context of the track. Delivering an intimate and cinematic piece shot across London containing an ever-pressing theme and sense of perseverance, optimism and gaining strength through adversity and pain.

“The story follows an injured skateboarder as he struggles through the process of healing. Through his physical impairment, his other senses become heightened, bringing a strengthened awareness and grounding, highlighted in the garden scenes. What he gains from his experience, ultimately builds him into a stronger skateboarder, once he’s back on the board” - Peter Malla

German duo Hauke Freer and Matthias Reiling, are no strangers to releasing quality, long-format albums. Whilst riding through a discerning community of DJs, the pair have previously released three albums on tastemaker label ‘Delusions Of Grandeur’ culminating in 2017’s ‘Listen To Your heart’. 

‘Needledrop’ is their fourth studio album and is set for release on ‘Night Time Stories’, the London based sister label to the coveted ‘LateNightTales’. The release marks a notable shift towards the downtempo dynamic of fellow masters of the LP format, such as Nightmares on Wax and DJ Shadow, artists that have played a strong influence in Session Victim’s varied output over the last decade.

Session Victim - The Pain  - Snippet

In November 2019, eight artists from Kenya, Uganda and the UK spent a week in Nairobi together exploring new tangents in soul music.

The group, collectively known as Extra Soul Perception, is made up of Faizal Mostrixx (Ug), Hibotep (Ug), K15 (UK), Karun (Ke), Labdi (Ke), Lex Amor (UK), Lynda Dawn (UK) and Maxwell Owen (UK).

Every day of the writing camp they worked with a new combination of artists, putting their powers of improvisation and collaboration to the test. The result was a body of work that reflected their range of backgrounds, interests and disciplines: acapella harmonies, soft spoken word, transcendental gqom, razor sharp swahili rap, bumping broken beat and beguiling RnB. The tracks capture a spirit, unique to a place and time that won’t be replicated again; an energy and atmosphere forged by open minds and prodigious talent.

The first EP of music made in Nairobi will be released in Spring 2020, titled New Tangents in Kampala, London & Nairobi Vol.1. It features five tracks by all eight artists in different combinations, and three cameos.

A1 Lex Amor, Hibotep & Faizal Mostrixx -Ancestry
A2 Maxwell Owin & Xenia Manasseh feat. Joe Armon-Jones - Probably Never
A3 Lynda Dawn & Bes Kept - Roses
B1 Faizal Mostrixx & Karun - In My Soul
B2 K15 & Labdi - Utokapo

Leading the EP out is first single ‘Probably Never’, by London DJ and producer Maxwell Owin with Nairobi singer Xenia Menasseh, featuring pianist Joe Armon-Jones. The track was born out of a series of improvised moments that epitomises the spirit of ESP. A low-slung gospel-sampling beat Max was playing around with late at night with no real purpose, whispered lyrics laid down in minutes on the final day in the studio during an unplanned-but-welcome cameo, and keys added by a supportive housemate as it was being finished in London.

It followers EP teaser ‘In My Soul’, released earlier this month featuring Kampala dancer and producer Faizal Mostrixx with Nairobi singer Karun rapping in Swahili for the first time; as if Obongjayar had been processed through a Hyperdub filter.

All five tracks from the EP will be performed live for the first time on the ESP. tour, featuring all eight artists performing solo and collaborative sets:

22 Feb: The Jazz Cafe, London
23 Feb: Band on the Wall, Manchester
24 Feb: 24 Kitchen Street, Liverpool

Tickets and info about the project: www.extrasoulperception.com

ESP. is supported by British Council, Arts Council England and Analogue Foundation.

Maxwell Owin & Xenia Manasseh feat. Joe Armon-Jones - Probably Never [2:08]

Psssh 001

Really Good

Follow Me (Remixes)

Follow Me (Duke Hugh Remix)

* Read more: https://boltingbits.com/dawit-level-7-rhythm-section-intl/
* Pre-order: https://wearerhythmsection.bandcamp.com/album/shouts-5-years-of-rhythm-section-intl
* Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/yHlw3y0QJj8

A go-to label for the connoisseurs Rhythm Section INTL is a UK staple. The raison d’être has always been to unearth and nurture new talent, not just via the catalogue but through the now established network of radio shows, concerts and club nights Rhythm Section has become known for. The SHOUTS compilation and accompanying celebratory tour is a continuation of this mission.

Today we premiere Dawit's contribution to the compilation, "Level 7".

Making his name as part of the DC Based 1432-R crew, Dawit is an Ethiopian-American DJ and producer based in Abidjan, Ivory Coast. Dawit joined Bradley for a number of dates last summer including Worldwide festival & Glastonbury and has previously released on Future Times in collaboration with Max D ( Dawit & Dolo) and as part of “Lifted” - a live studio project released on Bill Kouligas’ PAN Recordings.In “ Level 7” , his first solo effort for Rhythm Section INTL, we see Dawit switch to Peak Dance-floor ‘Hands in the air’ mode. With his own signature percussive wizardry, Dawit takes the Mr Fingers formula of airy pads and 303’s and drenches it in psychedelics, tweaking and freaking the parameters for maximum effect. This is Acid house for 2020.

RS033 SHOUTS - 5 Years of Rhythm Section

PREMIERE: Dawit - Level 7

As the summer days began to roll around once again, spirits seemed to change. A feeling of friendliness and openness oozed from each and every person. Smiling faces greeted you on the street, event the occasional greeting was uttered between strangers. A little sun can make a world of difference...

2020 marks five years of Rhythm Section International and to celebrate the Peckham-based label has brought together a host of family, friends and newcomers for a hefty compilation, SHOUTS. Spanning a wide breadth of sounds and styles, the 36 track release features the likes of old friends like Prequel, Mallard, Neu Graffik and Contours, as well as contemporaries and newcomers like Yu Su, Emma Jean-Thackray, Session Victim and our pick from Chilean Born, Milan Based DJ and producer Paula Tape. 

Label boss Bradley Zero penned some words about Paula and her Rhythm Section debut for the compilation: "Her Track 'Panamericana' channels her South American roots with a conga-led percussive pattern backed by a driving Italo rhythm - a gentle nod to her adopted country where she has quickly become an integral part of the scene. With staccato vocal samples, arpeggiating synths and hypnotic screeches, Paula Tape demonstrates her prowess as a composer with a keen ear for the past and a vision for the future."

RHYTHM SECTION HQ - part 3

Rory Henry 1