YAM Records seem to have had one ear firmly to the ground in recent years, picking up early signals of new (and rooted) local talent in and around their Peckham record shop dwellings. With each release they’ve continued to impress and the latest from Lithuanian drummer and producer, Marijus Aleksa is no exception as he pushes forward the label’s sensibilities, particularly to afro and jazz inspired electronic music. Today we give moreish lead track ‘Time Blur’ the premiere treatment, from what is a highly accomplished debut project MAPS at the hands of the drummer who has worked with several of London’s contemporary jazz scene.
The first three minutes are dedicated to purely one thing, building the groove. You can almost feel the tingling sense of joy from the jam which opens with a mesmeric mélange of percussive sounds. Melodic fragments appear from vibraphone and delay-induced piano strikes right before the addition of a weighty bass hook, thick like molasses, adding depth and context. From here on Marijus completes his beautiful embroidered haze.
MAPS is out 7th September via YAM records. Pre-order your copy now on Bandcamp, and be sure to catch Marijus in full effect at the release party on the 5th September at Ghost Notes, where copies will also be available.
