- The second release from Sampology’s new label Middle Name Records just dropped, titled Middle Name Dance Tracks Vol. 1. The volume comes from collaborators Megan Christensen, Sam Stosurr and Sampology. All three played at the recent Sound Signature Showcase (thanks A Love Supreme). Christensen, as part of the excellent Pink Matter, Stosurr, undisputed MVP of the night, playing bass in at least three different bands, including Sampology. With Christensen on keys, Stosurr on bass and Sampology on drums and sequencer duty, they’ve created something greater than the sum of its parts (which is hard to believe!).
Ricardo starts with a bouncey bass synth line, fluttering lead and all manner of auxiliary percussion. Divine pads and a lengthy percussive break makes this a knockout. In classic disco 12” style there’s a Bonus Beat, a percussion heavy affair that’s extracted from Ricardo. Only Joy, a personal favourite, starts with a killer bass before sinking into a sultry groove. I love the plucky synth line that accompanies the vocals. Bless starts off with free wheeling bass before hits the groove. Three minutes in there’s a beautiful breakdown, while Odyssey begins with the lick (heheh) before settling into an almost afrobeaty groove.
As Stosurr contends the “idea of being a project of three musicians collaborating together rather than being a band really defined the sound of the final product”. I tend to agree. Even though the record its inspired by the more electrified underground disco from the likes of Prelude/West End Records it has a sound all its own. The songs are undeniably funky, the instrumentation sparse in the best possible way, and unfoldings jazzy. For a largely improvised record, these three musicians (and the guests they pull) exhibit incredible finesse. Definitely a name to conjure with.
- Hillfolk.