Displaying an expertise in bridging the gap between classic sampling techniques and live playing, this German outfit have created one of the year’s loveliest listens in Vulgarian Knights. Jazzy without being too noodly or alienating, and with enough of a solid back-bone to tap your toes to, it’s a wonderful blend between traditional, pre-electronic music and hip-hop production aesthetic.
Knochenbrecher brings some fiery salsa flavour early on, amidst dubbed-out vocal samples, pushing and pulling you alternately with its frenetic and mellow sections. Arabikanna goes a bit housier, with solid beats pumping under the mischievous Rhodes and Mexican horns, while Novation goes one better with its super funky rolling disco beat and guitar licks, hazy muted organs, Nina Simone samples and stomping horn section. It’s a heady, woozy blend, the track finishing with the organs tremolo-ing around your head spookily.
The Man With The Mask displays more of a hip-hop sensibility, while Felafresh is a delight for the deep house crowds – harking back to dusty old mid-‘90s French house with its afro percussion and delicious warmth. Happy Hour makes for an immaculate closer, taking things down to mellow jazz basics – lazy double bass, everything softly softly, with a mesmerising display from the layered horns that breath and suck in unison, before the track unfolds into a double-time roller.
Vulgarian Knights is a hugely charming piece of work, skilfully crafted and accessible both to lovers of clubbier music and aficionados of live music. File under ‘Giles Peterson would dig’.
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