After touching down in Morocco, Uganda and Kenya for a flurry of releases, globally-focused imprint Banana Hill keep it local this time with a debut EP from Manchester-based producer Clay. Marking the label’s fifth physical release, the three tracks across Shapes give us a clear insight into Clay’s formative influences, from warm broken beat to classic and soulful house.
From the intricate layers of opener ‘People Floating’ to the nostalgia-inducing rhythms of the title track and slow burning house grooves of our pick, closer ‘Up There’, glistening synths glide over scattered percussion and deep, driving bass lines, transporting you to an imaginary dance floor far above the clouds.
Shapes is out on 5th March – grab your copy on Banana Hill’s Bandcamp.
