textura

Albums
Leila Abdul-Rauf
James Blackshaw
David Borden
Build Buildings
bvdub
Corey Dargel
Tom Flaherty
Fogh Depot
Bjørn Fongaard
(ghost)
Nick Gill
Chihei Hatakeyama
High aura'd & Mike Shiflet
Map 165
Maranha & Espvall
Missy Mazzoli
Midaircondo
Jonas Munk
P-Ben
Pearson Sound
Michael Price
PRISM Quartet
Michael Robinson
Sankt Otten
SCNTST
The Sebastians
Sigtryggur Sigmarsson
Matteo Sommacal
Sphäre Sechs
To Destroy A City
Tudor Acid
Mark Vernon
Michael Vincent Waller
worriedaboutsatan

Compilations / Mixes
Supafunkanova Vol. 2

EPs / Cassettes / DVDs / Mini-Albums / Singles
Alex Agore
Ariadne
Aux Field
Disciples
Djrum
EZLV
Future Ghost
Jim Haynes
Mako
[MIIIIM]
Sacco / Lapiana
Scyye
SlowPitch
Marshall Watson

Disciples: 2 X 12”
Khaliphonic

The ZamZam train rolls merrily along, though in this case it's the label's long-format sister-label Khaliphonic that's at the controls. Issued in a 700-copy run and in vinyl format only, the prosaically titled thirty-seven-minute release sees eight tracks—more precisely, two versions of four previously unreleased Disciples tracks from 1999—spread across two twelve-inch discs.

Disciples is the name Jah Shaka (aka Zulu Warrior) bestowed upon Russ D (Russel Bell-Brown) and his brother in 1986 when the two began supplying him with exclusive tunes. The siblings subsequently formed their own sound system, Boom Shacka Lacka (BSL), whose 1996 termination prompted Russel to establish himself as a solo DJ and “UK dub” producer. The Khaliphonic set, which presents four 1999 originals accompanied by alternate dub versions, sees Russel exploring the sound potential of a newly acquired Waldorf 4 Pole Filter and drawing for influence from Rhythm & Sound and Tikiman material.

Sounding as fresh as the day it was born, the Disciples tunes smolder with punchy horn phrases, keyboard stabs, and crisp, funky grooves (none funkier than the hard-hitting “Kabbad 1”). Though both sets of tracks are drenched in echo and atmosphere, it's the stripped down dub versions that feel freer, as if Russ D regarded them as opportunities for bolder experimentation. On a representative cut such as “Liberation 2,” the groove powers forth with militant determination, a pumping bass line clearing the way and chords splintering off in all directions. “Tanassa 3” struts with even greater intent, with in this case synth and guitar textures also surfacing within the sultry mix. Adding significantly to the appeal of the Disciples tracks, Russel's arrangements are packed but not overloaded with detail, and the spacious production bolsters the impact of the material's deep dub style.

March 2015