Oragnic Matters [12'']

Balaphonic - Oragnic Matters [12'']

Danny Ward’s Balaphonic project, one of many the long-serving performer, producer, percussionist, drummer, and DJ has utilized over a career spanning over three decades, has evolved considerably since his first release under the alias 11 years ago. Conceived as a platform to explore his love of Afro-Cuban and Brazilian musical culture, it gathered new impetus during lockdown and the recording of superb first album “Resolution Revolutions”, which fused these influences with nods to Balearica, dub, dancehall, and deep house. On the “Organic Matters” EP, Ward’s follow-up to that critically acclaimed set, the Balaphonic musical universe has expanded once more, with the Manchester native showcasing a wealth of eye-catching collaborations and an even more intricately layered and sonically detailed sound rich in live percussion and instrumentation. It’s an ambitious and widescreen musical vision wrapped in sun-soaked melodies, morning-fresh motifs, and simmering, sunset-friendly soundscapes. The dizzying new heights scaled by Ward on “Organic Matters” is evident from the opening bars of ‘Dew Drops’, a piece created in unison with internationally renowned composer and arranger Robin Dewhirst. Between them, the pair have conjured up a yearning, life-affirming samba shuffler where picturesque piano, xylophone, and balafon melodies rise above Ward’s dense, layered Latin percussion and warming bass. Next, Ward delivers a thrillingly different take on his 2005 composition ‘Switch’, featuring legendary Brazilian jazz vocalist Flora Purim and her equally talented daughter Diana Moreira-Purim. Whereas that was a jazzy deep house workout, Ward’s Balaphonic re-make is a shuffling, gentle exploration in 7/4 time – a heartfelt tribute to the Brazilian records with which Purim first made her name in the 1960’s and ‘70s. ‘Balaventurers’ sees Ward join forces with an old friend from the North-West scene, R.S.L founder Joe Botham AKA Balearadelica – a multi-instrumentalist and producer whose Flamenco-inspired acoustic guitar motifs provided the starting point for another vividly colorful exploration rich in layered vocalizations, twinkling keys and impeccably arranged percussion. It’s followed by ‘Life of Strings’, a more up-tempo and dancefloor-leaning excursion written and recorded alongside Amsterdam-based violinist and composer Katya Gabeli. While Ward’s percussion-rich groove provides propulsion and a rock-solid foundation, it’s Gabeli’s evocative string arrangement that provides the focal point and emotional resonance. It’s a genuinely brilliant collaboration. To round off a second stunning Balaphonic release on NuNorthern Soul, Ward delivers two simmering, slow-motion delights: the Afro-Cuban rhythms, cascading melodies, and melodic percussion motifs of ‘Boxfresh’ and stunning EP closer ‘Home’ – an almost overwhelmingly poignant and beautiful number that gently ebbs and flows on waves of tracked piano, dreamy chords and a comforting sense of closure. It’s a genuinely sublime conclusion to another wonderful Balaphonic release. A1. Dew Drops (feat. Robin Dewhurst) A2. Switch (feat. Flora Purim & Diana Moreira-Purim) A3. Balaventures (feat. Balearadelica) B1. Life of Strings (feat. Katya Gabeli) B2. Boxfresh B3. Home