Monday, 12 May 2014

Eccodek 'Singing In Tongues' Review


Artist: Eccodek


Title: Singing In Tongues


Label: Black Swan Sounds


Released: 6th May 2014




Andrew McPherson's releases gel the sounds of Africa, the Middle-East and beyond with dub and electronica. Shying away from digital fusions his Eccodek project utilises hardware and organic instruments, along with a host of guest singers such as Jah Youssouf, Onkar Singh, Meral Mert and MC Yogi. 'Singing in Tongues' is his sixth album release and his tracks have featured on compilations from the likes of Buddha Bar, Six Degrees, Supperclub and Black Swan.

The album kicks off with 'The Village In Me' a funky number where African vocals sit on top of horns, conjuring up a sound reminiscent of the Afro-Beat numbers of the 1970's. We then take a turn towards the Middle-East where the oud slides you into deep bass notes and vocals drift in and out in a dreamy fashion. The title track 'Singing In Tongues' immediately brought Issa Bagayogo to mind with both the strings and the vocals, blended with subtle hypnotic synth sounds creating a chilled vibe to the piece. While Black Swan label mate MC Yogi lays down a laid back rhyme amongst African vocals, chilled synths and strings on 'My Primitive Heart'.

The album continues with the exception of 'The End Begins' a chilled out Balkan groove, in much the same fashion of laid back Afro-Beat'esque numbers. Although there is plenty of tribal drums there's nothing of impact on the album and takes a more chilled stance overall compared to previous releases. This new laid back style appears to have worked well for Andrew, bringing high praise from reviews in the World Music media.

Review by Woodzee


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