Live Review: Rochelle Jordan teams up with Machinedrum on 'How U Want It'

Club producer MACHINEDRUM has just launched his label IAMSIAM with a new release. 'How U Want It' sees him producing for RnB songwriter and vocalist ROCHELLE JORDAN in their second collaboration. She's been focusing more on writing at the moment, occasionally popping up as a feature on tracks from artists like JIMMY EDGAR, CHILDISH GAMBINO, SEPALCURE and of course Machinedrum. Their previous collab, 'Tell U', was far more abstract in Jordan's contribution, but this track positions her front and centre over a future RnB beat.

The production is clearly stamped with the Machinedrum sound. The frenzied chopping, stabbing chords and crystalline synths are out in full force, as are his trademarks. He ups the ante on this one bringing the track to a blistering 170BPM, switching between half time beats and full force throughout.

Rochelle Jordan seems to be the perfect foil to the boundary pushing producer, as her silken voice cuts through the glassy synths. She impresses with her versatility, still able to croon away even while keeping up with the BPM in her cadence. Her voice could slot into a 90's RnB "who's who" line up, with everything from her delivery, lyrics and even improvised vocal fills brimming with nostalgia.

As the first release, 'How U Want It' sets the tone for the whole label and is a brilliant sign of things to come. Machinedrum has released through many labels in the past, but starting his own presents an opportunity to highlight the music of his friends and open up more collaborative opportunities. Of this new project, Machinedrum has said, "IAMSIAM feels more like a family than a label to me... It’s also an opportunity for me to showcase the myriad of collaborations I’m involved in as most of the releases are produced by me.”

With the launch of this new label, hopefully Rochelle Jordan steps back into the spotlight soon with more dance music features or even an album of her own.

PHOTO BY EASTON SCHIRRA

WORDS BY HOLLY O’NEILL

LISTEN TO MORE NEW MUSIC HERE

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