EWAN HOOZAMI: Wildebeats LP – 2010

It’s ‘next generation’ time for the Bristol sound as rising producer Ewan Hoozami, (like Parker before him) batters on the genre’s door with his refix of the mild, mild west’s beats n’ bass heavy sonic template for the dubstep and nufunk/ ghettofunk era. Basically that means tempos are up, percussive patterns are a little more detailed, basslines go wonky and the dancefloor is invaded more times in one album than in Massive Attack’s entire back catalogue.

Wildebeats is an eleven-tracker that veers from dreamy soundscapes to funky uptempo dancefloor breaks and everything in between. Opener Déjà Vu brings a thunderous bassline that alone sets the tone for the LP but is augmented with big drums, a hammond loop and a wealth of vocal samples. Next up is Tijuanasaurus Rex which demonstrates Hoozami’s signature heavily-syncopated breakbeats while Hopscotch heads into ‘nu-skool breakz’ territory and Falcon Punch recalls The Prodigy in their less cheesy moments. Stand-outs are the classy Soul Step which, as the title implies, comes on like dubstep might if it was made in the late sixties in New Orleans, the crazy-heavy scattershot funky-soul breaks and dusty vocal sample of the crowd-pleasing Drinking Song and the even crazier scattershot percussion of Love Loves Karaoke which rinses a sample of Professor Longhair’s ancient funk 45 Big Chief. Then he goes and wraps things up with something much more along the lines of the mid-nineties Bristol sound – the chilled hip-hop of All Quiet showcasing the vocal talents of rapper Blacksmith.

I’m still not sure if you pronounce the title with a long ‘i’ like in ‘wild beast’ or with a short-one as in ‘wildebeest’ as the (rather nice) cover art would suggest but I imagine big beat hunters everywhere will want to track down and acquire this particular piece of musical game to show off on whatever device people play their music on these days…Press guff below links…
(Out 6 December, 2010 on Pig Balls Records)
Listen to Ewan Hoozami – Wildebeats
ewanhoozami.com
(PRESS RELEASE) Bristolian DJ/Producer extraordinaire Ewan Hoozami (pronounced “you ‘n’ whose army”) is fast gaining an international following since releasing a best-selling 12″ on Big M, featuring on Juno chart-topping compilation ‘Booty Pirates 3’ and a sumptuous trip-hop EP on Dusted Wax.

One of the hardest-working musicians in Bristol, Ewan has spent 5 years learning his craft, and now presents his much anticipated debut album “Wildebeats.” More than ‘just’ a funk album, this release is an effervescent array of styles – from straight up funk bombs to dusty beats, dubstep, and wonky breaks – all infused with Ewan Hoozami’s unique and distinctive sound. Here’s what some of the top DJs/Producers in the country have had to say about it:

“A rousing sermon of finely chopped beats and intricately layered samples, all hail Bristol’s ‘vicar of funk!'” – Parker (Rocstar / Goodgroove / Jalapeno)

“Ewan Hoozami manages to use classic hip hop MPC production styles while also dishing up a fresh and progressive sound… An impressive debut that has been in my shows all summer” – DJ Cheeba (Solid Steel / Rane)

“A future classic – Ewan’s unique sound draws the listener in leaving you wanting more and more” – DJ Task (Pirates Anthem / ex-Ninja Tunes tour DJ)

“A quality album of well put together samples and punchy beats, something for the head and dancefloor, top stuff” – Aldo Vanucci (Good Living Records)

“Strictly breaks, dancefloor bombs and crafty sample workouts from the king of the chopped beat. Lurve it” – DJ Moneyshot (Solid Steel/Big M/Proto Hype Records)

Leave a Reply

CATEGORIES

TAGS

RECENT

ARCHIVE