After the brilliant ‘Sama‘ EP from Oxossi earlier in the year, whoever were to feature next on Subaltern Records certainly had some big shoes to fill. Luckily for us, Subaltern has built up quite the reputation over the last couple of years as a label with a great ear for fresh bass music and talent. So with that said, Subaltern enlists one of the most underrated producers currently around for SUBALT025, Imajika. Imajika, who rightly featured on my ‘Producers To Watch‘ list earlier this year, constructs five powerful, sound system worthy tracks that demonstrates his dance floor moving capabilities. With three tracks pressed to vinyl, those inclined to download digitally will also be blessed with two other fresh and unmissable cuts. However today I have the pleasure of premiering my favourite from the record, a B-side banger, ‘Unti Pundi‘.
Beginning with ‘Stagger‘ on the A-side, Imajika introduces his feet shuffling bass-lines and creative, energetic percussion immediately. It serves as a sign of things to come as the EP moves on to today’s premiere, the equally groovy ‘Unti Pundi‘. Striking for it’s eerie looping vocal cut, Imajika delves into mysterious, cavernous spaces with size expanding delays and echoes. The groove is catchy and addictive with another powerful meditative bass line, plus a few psychedelic elements thrown in for good measure. Things go tribal for the vinyl’s closing track, ‘Inside The Sycamore Root‘. It’s vivid, native percussion sits front and centre with simmering sub-zero frequencies testing the system. The synth stabs play off the deep, inexplicable voices of the forest as Imajika continues to paint a picture of mystical communities and spirited woodlands.
If you’ve got yourself the digital version of ‘Stagger‘ EP, you’re immediately rewarded with the first of two digital bonus tracks, the huge ‘Stoker‘. Certainly one of the stand out tunes of the EP, ‘Stoker‘ is Imajika at his angriest; absolute ear smacking drums, violent low end and killer, otherworldly swells and leads. What more could you want? Well, he makes sure you leave with a belly full of bass on ‘Walking Through The Elephant’s Foot‘. Presenting some of the deepest moments on the EP, this one’s a little more twisted than previous tracks, with added skip to the percs and wobbles to the lows. The whirring, rough mid range and mysterious vocal licks adding the extra flavour as the stampede continues to the end.
One thing you’ll notice looking through Subaltern‘s catalogue, is their openness to both established producers like Oxossi and newer upcoming creatives such as Helktram and now, Imajika. However what you cannot do is separate the two groups, as Subaltern always does well in signing the sickest material possible, no matter who it is. And that’s certainly the case here for Imajika. ‘Stagger‘ EP stands as his first fully fledged vinyl release and without a single drawback.
SUBALT025 is out 12/06/2020 and available on vinyl from the Subaltern Records store.
Check out Imajika on Soundcloud and Twitter.
Check out Subaltern Records on Soundcloud and Twitter.