We’re marching well into spring now, and the Jungle related events have continued here for us. The team was lucky enough to get tickets for Valve Soundsystem and Outernet in London. It was an amazing night, with an old school set from the legendary DJ Zinc, followed by the system owner, Dillinja. While it wasn’t turned up to the max, the soundsystem performed exceptionally well in the space. Go see it if you can even if you’re not necessarily a drum and bass head, as it is rightly known as one of the best sounds in the world.
Thanks also to all for the reviews and comments over the last few months, and as always, if you have other feedback, or need anything from us, you can get a hold of the support team here:
[email protected].
Now, on to the vinyl. Two albums again for you, from very contrasting places and eras this month:
Our first album is an important one. Supposedly the first, and definitely the best-known Palestinian hip-hop group Dam’s 2019 LP, “Ben Haana Wa Maana.” DAM’s sound is unmistakable. Their music is a unique fusion of east and west, combining fierceful Arabic rap with Arabic rhythms, Middle Eastern sounds and melodies, and deep bassy urban hip hop. Martin Vennard from the BBC World Service, described DAM’s music as “the most entertaining, original and socially-engaged music to come out of the Middle East”
They are known to speak up on hard-hitting topics and taboos. This time, they have taken it to a different musical level and approach. “We know that we had hit hard times. We always talked about the darkness we live in.” Said Nafar. “But this time we changed our attitude. As we say in one of our songs “Hada Yidi’e Sitna”; This is not a darkness of a tomb, we are in a darkness of a womb.”
The second LP is a journey back to ‘70s/’80s electronica and prog rock. Described as experimental progressive soundscapes only for the adventurous listener, “Scillonian Solace” is released under Peter McKerrow’s Across the Water II moniker, and revisits the experimental electronic composition he made in 1975 after a life altering trip to the Isle of St Kilda. He worked on the piece through the decades and here he presents the final composition. One for a spring day in the garden with a nice cup of tea.
