First City Records is pleased to present the release of Lewisham EP by one of New York City's top purveyors of grime, bashment and UK funky, Max Echo. Max Echo's tracks have been described by some as "ass-forward and inside-out" and, while the drum beat and tempo are in a funkier vein, you are sure to hear some traces of grime and dubstep's more abrasive tones. In fact, the range of influences is wider still, as you can find Max producing jungle as well as dubstep, hiphop, dub and dancehall riddims all bearing his signature re-purposed vocal samples, extended, sweeping transitions and tooth-rattling sub bass.
The cryptically named "Lewisham EP" starts off with the inviting and restrained tones of "Nueva Yerk". Built up of down-sampled pads and organ stabs mixed with abundant claps and percussion, neatly divided into alternating sections, this track makes for an appealing warm-up/introduction. "Killing Joke" follows with what is likely the most "grime-like" of tracks in this EP. Here, things turn a bit darker; with sour chords and bristling bass stabs forming the backdrop to manic laughter. The menacing them continues with "Coffin Riddim" which layers spaghetti-western samples atop hefty bass, ominous pads and rebounding pitched sfx. "Still Watching" is, undoubtedly, the heaviest track on the album and the use of swelling arpeggios and syncopated keyboard melody place it stylistically closer to dubstep. Saved for last, the title track, "Lewisham Riddim", closes with an epic funky tribute to the site of 1977's street clash between residents of the south London borough and National Front supporters.
Look for more strange and wonderful releases from Max Echo in 2011 including several contributions to an unprecedented remix album on our sister label Don'tSleep!
credits
released October 25, 2010
all tracks written & arranged by Maxim Kolbowski-Frampton
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