As we enter 2017, we dust off the old and look to the new; much like Zambon’s vision for Transatlantyk – the successor to his edit savvy imprint The Very Polish Cut Outs – which focuses on showcasing fresh material from homegrown Polish producers. Nurturing the fruitful careers of names like Ptaki and Eltron John, both Zambon’s labels have consistently unearthed underground talent from all corners of Polska.
Transatlantyk’s 2015 compilation, A Look Into The Bowels Of The Polish House Underground,
gave us a deeper insight into the burgeoning talent coming out of the country. One of the compilation’s nine producers was Universo, more widely known under his hip-hop moniker Kixnare. The track featured, ‘Nes Sous’, proved him capable of turning out incredibly sultry house music, but it’s today’s premiere, ‘Praise Song’, that proves he is more multifaceted than we first
thought.
A follow-up to last summer’s effort ‘Umhlaba’ on split EP Trans Afryka, he rustles up a tropical groove that kicks off with building percussion and drum rhythms. A low slung bass line and the wandering sounds of a penny whistle are ushered in, it’s tribal affection flaunted through crowing vocal chants which conjure up a likeness to Alma Negra’s productions.
No release marked for this one, but when it landed in our laps we had to get it out into the world. Keep an eye out for Universo’s next EP, dropping this winter on STEP Recordings (sub label of PETS Recordings).
