MARK ERNESTUS レコード& CD

Review: Although Rhythm & Sound and Basic Channel man Mark Ernestus has worked with or remixed many different artists over the years, we didn't expect him to join forces with D&B scene stalwarts Calbre and DRS. Yet that's exactly what's on offer here, as the Hardwax founder delivers two typically deep, dubbed-out techno outings crafted from portions of the pair's collaborative cut 'Badman', which is due to feature on Calbre's forthcoming sixteenth studio album, Feeling Normal. Both 'Bad' and 'Badder' are typical of Ernestus' ultra-deep and hypnotic style, with snippets of the duo's original instruments, beats and vocals echoing in and out of a warming, all-encompassing, sub-heavy groove. In a word, it's superb.

Review: Berlin's master beat specialist, electronic dub pioneer, African music enthusiast, Basic Channel and Rhythm & Sound member, and Hardwax co-founder, Mark Ernestus, is back with a new Ndagga bullet - and yes, that list was exhaustive on purpose. The myth of a man has turned his attentions from techno to African beat music over the last few years, and the releases have been amongst our favourites within the 'outernational' scene. "Lamb Ji" is as electric and magnetic as you'd expect, full of life and mystique thanks to its complex percussive patterns, hazy production, and lamenting tribal vocals - a super charger on the system. "Lamb Rhythm" is basically a version of the original; more dubby, more stripped-back and with no vocals. Powerful stuff, as always.

Review: From their Jeri Jeri roots, Hard Wax maverick Ernestus's Senegalese drum ensemble work elevated to Ndagga Rhythm Force in early 2015. Sprinkling our collections with beautiful cosmic dub tech ever since, the troupe bring the 12"s together for a full album adventure. From the instantly distinctive percussive layers and thin glimmers of highlife guitars on "Lamb Ji" to the intense rolling drums and yearning vocals of "Jigeen", climaxing with the hi-hat-snapping "Yermande", the detail, soul and richness of this project is near matchless.