Raw Tones [2LP]

Joaquin Joe Claussell - Raw Tones [2LP]

Originally released on uber limited cassettes, the music within 'Raw Tones' caught the ear of Radio Slave, aka Matt Edwards, who messaged Claussell, a friend since remixing Edwards' Machine project in 2012, and convinced the legendary producer that the music needed a wider audience and, so the LP is here.
Introspective opening cut 'Lock Down' draws from breathy strings and swirling pads, followed by the hypnotic and low-slung 'The Blame Game (Table Top Idea)', which sees jazzy keys float around carefully crafted dubbed-out ambience and subtle, whispered vocals.
'Break Free' ups the energy, bringing a wonky bassline under decisive, machine-like drum hits while both spoken and sung vocals interplay throughout. 'You Mutha Fuka' brings rock-solid drums and thick bass underneath delayed vocals before the dreamy chords and twinkling keys of 'Way Back Then' close out the B-side.
The gorgeous 'Air We Breathe (Revisited Cassette Demo)' marries rolling percussion across live bass and softly drawn-out pads, followed by an instrumental version of 'Break Free'. The final side of vinyl sees the extended trippiness of 'If It's All In Your Mind Let It Out' lead into the floaty low tempo closer 'Hallucinations Ejaculations'.
Joaquin Joe Claussell, co-founder of Body & Soul with Francois Kevorkian and Danny Krivit, continues to run his Sacred Rhythm Music record label and curate the Cosmic Arts community center in his hometown of Brooklyn, NYC.
Originally released in 2021, now repressed for 2025.
Tracklisting:
A1. Lock Down
A2. The Blame Game (Table Top Idea)
B1. Break Free
B2. You Mutha Fuka
B3. Way Back Then
C1. Air We Breathe (Revisited Cassette Demo)
C2. Break Free (Instrumental)
D1. If It's All In Your Mind Let It Out
D2. Hallucinations Ejaculations