There is definitely something "afro" inspired about this latest EP from Puma & The Dolphin, certainly in comparison to pretty much everything else the mysterious Bulgarian project have produced, including a great EP for Canadian imprint Chambre Noire and some stellar inclusions on every one of Dj soFa's highly respected "Elsewhere" compilations.

The story goes that while immersed in domestic life during lockdown in Sofia the music evolved to take in what was happening at home and saw the inclusion of toy instruments, drum playing, the voices of children playing and even the family parrots whistling and squawking in the background. These random ambient insertions when seen in the context of the hypnotic and percussive rhythms and timbres are oddly reminiscent of the late, great Francis Bebey who, although culturally and physically a million miles removed, was also known for recording much of his work at home and who also featured the voices of his children playing.

In fact, it is as much the music's playfulness and simplicity that give the pieces their distinctive character, at times echoing the repetition and mesmerism of Raymond Scott's "Soothing Sounds For Baby" series. Yet, childrens' music this is not. There is a mysticism and depth on one hand and a willingness to experiment on the other that echoes the pioneering experimentalist K. Leimer's early Eno-inspired tape outings (check "Supermarket" for example).

I asked Puma & The Dolphin's Nikko Names if he could share the story behind how these six tracks came together. He had this to say:

"This collection of pieces were created during a monotone period of my life which I have overlaid with colour: a time in which I surrender to the beauty of home life - watching my kids play, feeding the birds - entwining these sounds of my surroundings amongst the rhythmic layers of these pieces. Playing the drums to remind us of the next circle dance for four. There is something mystic to travel only in your head; a shamanic trip inside the body with no concepts and answers."

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PRÉMIÈRE: Puma & The Dolphin - Number [Invisible, Inc.]

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The Why people dance question was asked for the first time in Lithuania back in 2013 but it gained a worldwide echo in its 8 years of existence. Run by @pauliuskamblevicius with the help of @experimentsserial and a network of collaborators, the online electronic music platform and label keeps its heart open for new friends and treasure finds but its filter tight and deep underground. Tune into WPD channels on Soundcloud, YouTube and Bandcamp.

CDDream - producer from Russia. Selling music to make my dreams come true

UAE based producer and DJ, explores a broad spectrum of sounds in electronic dance music varies from selections of hard techno, fast rolling techno, deep hypnotic techno, acid techno, acid breaks, drum and bass, deep dubstep, and to more brighter and chiller tunes or dub techno, minimal house, house and ambient. 

One of the founders of SYN7ROME art collective, a UAE based movement and event that showcases different forms of underground art.