KLUE takes us crate digging for some stunning hidden gems
Sydney producer KLUE has a sound that screams current, screams modern and screams now. New tune 'Lifted' is a relentless tropical banger that stretches to pristine horizons and showcases Klue's immense and diverse talent in spades. It's booming in some moments and minimalist in others - a myriad of sonic experiences packed into a bright, three-and-a-half minute package.
KLUE in most senses is an artist of the now, but in many ways he's one of tradition. Currently in the middle of a tour to support his new jam, we got to know him a bit better as he divulged his recent crate digging haul to us. "I really like the physicality of vinyl," he says. "You can hold it, look after it or frisbee it if it’s shit, and I dig the fact that you get artwork with it." After telling himself he was aiming to visit a record store more regularly, he headed to one in Erskineville with $50 in his pocket and here are the gems he found.
Zimbabwe Frontline
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A couple of years back I toured Africa with True Vibenation and the first festival we played at was in Harare, Zimbabwe. While we were there we got out and saw some amazing local music, like life changing shit! A few names always came up in conversation as national music heroes – particularly Thomas Mapfumo and Oliver Mutukudzi. When I spotted this record with them featuring on it I had to give it a listen and I’m so glad I did. Definite keeper!
Ben E King – Supernatural Thing
I had to grab a bit of soul. Ben E King is best known for his classic ‘Stand By Me’, but Supernatural is also a total tune.
Spacek – Eve
I hadn’t heard this before but I’m a big fan of Steve Spacek and his work as Africa Hitech with Mark Pritchard, and his recent Beat Spacek record is dope. He’s got an amazing voice that has a bit of Curtis Mayfield to it, and the beats production is always thumping but real characteristic and interesting. It turns out this record came out in 2000, but totally sounds current, and he is still putting out solid stuff. For the hip hop heads there’s also a J Dilla remix on this one. Score.
Scribe – Not Many
This one is a pretty obvious choice but a pretty special one to me a Scribe was the first real gig I ever went to. It was my 17th birthday and somehow my True Vibenation brothers and I got in. He was playing with 1200 Techniques, who were heroes of ours. I still remember that night really clearly as the moment live music really grabbed me.
Plus you can still put this on and pretty much any Australian or New Zealander in the room hypes up straight away.
Tsunami – African Chant / Guanabacoa
This was something I’d never heard of that we found in the $2 bin. This search method often brings disappointment, but every now and then something cool has slipped in there.
Judging by the names on the credits I’m guessing this one was an Italian production. There seems to be a lot of Italian producers making dope Afro influenced/sampled stuff recently too (see Clap!Clap!, Ribongia, Ckrono & Slesh). Not sure how that’s come about!
KLUE is currently on tour. Details below:
9 Jun 2017 Melbourne - Afrik Futurism
10 Jun 2017 Adelaide - Fat Controller
22 Jun 2017 Wollongong - Strawberry Boogie
28 Jun 2017 Bondi - Sosueme
1 Jul 2017 Central Coast – Proud Mary’s
Words by JACKSON LANGFORD
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