aaamusic | On 20, Apr 2011

EMALKAY – ECLIPSE

Dub Police are proud to announce the release of their first artist album courtesy of Birmingham-based producer Emalkay, who is set to release his hotly anticipated debut LP ‘Eclipse’ this Spring.

First making a name for himself with early releases on his own Morphic Sounds imprint, Emalkay has continued to push the boundaries of underground bass music ever since, delivering a slew of huge releases on the way. Having been an integral part of the Dub Police stable ever since his ‘Explicit / Heroics’ 12” for the label in 2009, Emalkay has gone from strength to strength with a series of heavyweight tracks that includes the phenomenal ‘When I Look At You’ and recent smash ‘Crusader’.

Comprised of 12 tracks, ‘Eclipse’ is a bold and powerful album encapsulating perfectly everything that makes Emalkay such a prodigious talent, effortlessly showcasing the depth and diversity of his sound while always remaining true to his inimitable style. As addictive as it is hard-hitting, the album doesn’t just provide a collection of dancefloor tracks, but a confident and coherent artistic statement.

While keeping the tempo around 140bpm, Emalkay experiments with new rhythms and sounds, delving deep into his own musical DNA to create something unique and fresh. Robust drum lines and rib-rattling basslines collide with evocative atmospheres and a deft melodic touch to devastating effect, giving the album both immediate impact and lasting mystique.

Emalkay makes his intentions clear from the start, dropping straight into forthcoming single ‘Fabrication’, which delivers a sucker punch with its deadly mutating bassline and huge half-step drums. Keeping up the energy, it moves through tough jungle-inflected roller ‘Crusader’ and straight into the high-octane ‘Keep Goin’ On’, switching up rhythms brilliantly between old skool breaks and lurching half-step. The track features a rare appearance from legendary singer Baby D – best known for seminal 90s track ‘Let Me Be Your Fantasy’– who teams up with Emalkay to contribute a beautifully vocal to the track, working perfectly with the classic rave vibe.

‘Space Hopper’ is up next, driven by a thumping 4×4 kick while the buoyant pulsing bassline causes some serious damage before ‘Transpose’ plunges the knife in with its hyperactive mechanoid bassline, crisp snares and chopped vocal samples. ‘Flesh & Bone’ featuring long-time Dub Police affiliate Rod Azlan uses a rattling breakbeat to devastating effect, complimenting his vocals and the dub sonics brilliantly.

‘The World’ featuring the sublime vocals of Lena Cullen releases the pressure, juxtaposing the deep bassline and sparse drums against the vocals, letting the track breathe. The only full vocal track on the album, it explores Emalkay’s undeniable songwriting talent, revealing a pop sensibility at its core that will undoubtedly introduce him to a whole new audience. ‘Metropolis’ is one for the eyes down crew, keeping things in deeper territory with its growling bassline and eerie atmospheres.

‘Why Don’t I Like You’ showcases a more experimental edge playing with textures and tempo, punctuated by the dark vocal refrain, before ramping up the pressure again with the club conquering ‘When I Look At You’, which still retains all of its impact, sounding as fresh as it did the first time you heard it, switching between the infectious melody and vocal against the sharp industrial bass and cavernous snare hits.

The album finishes on the uplifting ‘True Romance’ which injects an uplifting rave sensibility into Emalkay’s exploration of hardcore and jungle rhythms, playing out on the longing pitched-up vocals and beautiful piano lick.

A brilliantly confident and varied debut album, ‘Eclipse’ is set to cement Emalkay’s place as one of the biggest and most exciting producers working in bass music today.

Tracklist:

1. Intro
2. Fabrication
3. Crusader
4. Keep Goin’ On ft. Baby D
5. Space Hopper
6. Transpose
7. Flesh & Bone
8.The World
9.Metropolis
10. Why Don’t I Like You
11. When I Look At You
12.True Romance

Emalkay facebook / Dub Police facebook / Dub Police Youtube