Strata – Collected works from the KU catalogue.
Strata.
KU unveils its first compilation.
Release date TBA.
‘Strata’ is a KU compilation spotlighting friends and affiliates of the label. A collection of tunes curated over the past couple of years by label head, and founder, Dan Englander, who also has a track on the album.
The vibe and common thread between the tunes on the record is Hip Hop. The featured artists vary from, low-key, off-the-radar beatmakers, who have found their audience via Spotify, lo fi beat playlists, to legends of the genre, El De Sensai (from Artifacts) & Shabaam Sahdeeq, (Rawkus Records).
Featured songs on the compilation.
Yogisoul & Awon
Salute
Feat. Kristoffer Eikrem
While most of the tracks on ‘Strata’ are instrumental, there are some standout rap performances on the compilation as well. Co-founder of Don’t Sleep Records, and Virginia-based emcee, Awon is always butter on the mic and the production for “Salute” had him out to make a statement.
“Salute” is produced by Oslo, Norway-based producer Yogisoul, who featured Awon twice on his 2016 KU release, ‘By Nights’. Their previous collaborations presented clear chemistry and a desire to create more music together.
The instrumentation and production from both Yogisoul and Eikrem matched with Awon’s delivery blur the lines of classic and fresh. It commands attention subtly through its play between the keys and the flow of the vocal. “Salute” quickly brings you into a world that you don’t want to leave.
It’s no surprise that the familiar ingredients would once again come together to create something that you want to consume on repeat. It’s not just that they are both skilled at their craft, it’s a mutual respect of energy brought and desire to get better.
“Salute” is produced by Oslo, Norway-based producer Yogisoul, who featured Awon twice on his 2016 KU release, ‘By Nights’. Their previous collaborations presented clear chemistry and a desire to create more music together.
The instrumentation and production from both Yogisoul and Eikrem matched with Awon’s delivery blur the lines of classic and fresh. It commands attention subtly through its play between the keys and the flow of the vocal. “Salute” quickly brings you into a world that you don’t want to leave.
It’s no surprise that the familiar ingredients would once again come together to create something that you want to consume on repeat. It’s not just that they are both skilled at their craft, it’s a mutual respect of energy brought and desire to get better.
The artwork for the album took nearly as long as the curation process. A long-time friend of KU and perfectionist, Jim Carey aka Staticmist created the cover artwork, which sets the tone visually for the collection of works.
The artwork for the album took nearly as long as the curation process. A long-time friend of KU and perfectionist, Jim Carey aka Staticmist created the cover artwork, which sets the tone visually for the collection of works.
Smuv
Dusty
German-based producer and beat-maker Smuv matches heavy bass knocks with lofi jazz boom bap vibes on the new single, “Dusty”. Airy white noise washes over the track like a wave giving the composition its shape and sonic aesthetic. While the track could be categorised as chill hop, the lows and the frequencies at which the bass hits may get you kicked out of the library. The brevity of the final single from the compilation ‘Strata’ represents the spirit of the project as a whole, in the sense that each track leaves you wanting more. “Dusty” could be played on loop for 10 minutes and be a crowd-pleaser, but only being able to live in that world for just over a minute and thirty seconds is what makes it special. You get just a taste of a piece that feels so clear in some ways, but so hazy in its other layers. “Dusty” leaves room for thought and clarity.
Flughand
Moonhand
Flughand is a German-based artist, who has gained a following for his Lo-Fi Study Beats and ethereal production vibes. Initially coming to music as a fan, and before he scratched the surface of Hip Hop and beat-making, Flughand found himself immersed in more uptempo dance and electronic music (Chemical Brothers, Jungle Brothers, Fatboy Slim). It wasn’t until the mid-90s that Flughand had his hip-hop awakening. He began DJing, scratching, and discovering his love for the pocket in downtempo beats, which sparked an interest within himself to figure out how to make his own productions.
M.T. Fujitive
Prudence
After becoming obsessed with 90’s hip hop in 2013, M.T. Fujitive found himself immersed in Abelton. He was convinced that people had stopped making the types of beats that were composed in the “Golden Era” and had drawn him into the art form. That was until he discovered the music of German-based producer/ beat maker, Wun Two.
M.T. Fujitives’s new sample-based track “Prudence” is a calm, laid-back beat, which is a reflection of the cool-headed producer’s personality, which permeates in the song, and allows the listener to just breathe and relax.
It’s that light tune to get the day started with your morning coffee but can equally serve the role of the perfect soundtrack to an evening nightcap, or the mid-afternoon spliff. It instantly puts you in a groove and the samples give you the feeling as if you are in the room with the musicians working out the tune. The gentle guitar almost sounds as if it is being played in a separate room from the drums.
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