PESHAY - GENERATION

Following a string of celebrated releases for the likes of Island and Metalheadz, drum ‘n’ bass legend Peshay turns his midas touch to live funk, jazz and tropical compositions in a vibrant new direction on his first album for Tru Thoughts. Entitled ‘Generation’, the album follows the upfront EP of the same name which has gained early airplay from Gilles Peterson and Craig Charles on BBC 6Music, and excited reactions from seasoned tastemakers worldwide including Sinden, Danny Krivit and Ashley Beedle.

Inspired by his lifelong love of all sorts of sounds from jazz and disco to funk, house and Latin American music, this new material finds the London based producer using only live musicians, each of whom bring a little of their own style, and creating an evocative world within each track. While some of his previous releases – most notably his highly acclaimed 1999 debut LP ‘Miles From Home’ – hint at this wider spectrum of influences, this is the first time that Peshay has produced a full album that gives no clues as to his drum ‘n’ bass stalwart status.

“Maybe it will be a shock for some people,” says Paul Pesce, the man behind the moniker; “but I love different styles and don’t want to only make drum and bass. Tru Thoughts is a fantastic platform for me to express myself in a different way, and I look forward to doing more eclectic productions as well as more drum and bass in future.”

Fans will be relieved to find that Peshay does not neglect the dancefloor here, as the ‘Generation’ LP packs as many party tunes as it does melodic, post-club jams; and punchy production holds sway throughout. The tribal rhythms and transporting groove of opener “Bronx Life” lead into a vibrant, vintage swing-jazz feel and experimental, shifting tempo on “Vanguard”. Strong instrumental hooks characterise the carnivalesque, Latin-inspired house tune “Seville”; “Dirty” brings a sleazy, cheeky retro electro kick; while “Kickin’ It With The Piano Trio” – a live, freeform and snaking jazz jam with propulsive drums – ups the feelgood factor and demonstrates top drawer musicianship. Coming over like a lost ’70s film soundtrack, “Midnight Express” drives things in a decidedly suspenseful, funk-fuelled direction; beautiful woodwind and brass flourishes on “Sundown” mix with a woozy early-hours vibe and big breaks; and the title track closes the album on an upbeat and playful, Hammond-heavy jam.

www.tru-thoughts.co.uk

Tracklisting: 01. Bronx Life / 02. Vanguard / 03. Indigo / 04. Seville / 05. Dirty / 06. Daydreaming / 07. Never Let You Go / 08. Kickin’ It With The Piano Trio / 09. Midnight Express / 10. Sundown / 11. Solar /

12. Generation

~ grooveattack.com