22 May 2012

Auntie Flo - Future Rhythm Machine (Huntley & Palmers)

Auntie Flo - Future Rhythm Machine (Huntley & Palmers, 12 May)


We've blogged a couple of times about Auntie Flo in the past and are pleased to see Huntley and Palmers throwing their weight behind this very interesting project, releasing this mini-album/ extended EP that predates both Oh My Days and Goan Highlife. Anyone who believes that electronic music lacks soul, or has grown jaded with DJ culture and production needs to hear this album, as its one of the most invigoratingly vibrant electronic releases of the past couple of years - a whirlwind mess of global-influences and non-electronic sounds looped, twisted and infused with the inherent energy of great house music. Tribal acapellas rub shoulders with Latin American percussive riffs, kwaito drum patterning and Caribbean jazz, with a solid mechanical undercarriage tying it all together. This melting pot of styles is probably most succesful on the aptly-titled he Makes the People Come Together, which switches the drum samples from 303s, to Latin American, to South African without ever dropping a beat, a technique which implies a sense of universal rhythm permeating the record.

Working with Glasgow's favourite Springbok Esa (Subculture / H&P) and Chilean vocalist Mamacita, Future Rhythm Machine manages to cram a great deal into just over 30 minutes, including two short, loop-driven sketches, and one stunning single entitled  La Samaria. Described by Twitch as "...so beautiful. It should be a hit single in a just world", and featuring the aforementioned Mamacita, La Samaria is a rich dancefloor anthem masquerading as a summery pop song, and is utterly awesome. The only criticism I have for this is that mini-albums feel infuriatingly short, but with the quality of material, that's swiftly dismissed.

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