Franck Zaragoza has a long standing relationship with n5MD records, where he has released a steady stream of cinematic palettes of sound under his Ocoeur moniker. Focused, always immersive, visceral long-form ambient and electronica, Zaragoza has developed a back catalogue that has left his distinguished finger print on all that he touches.
’Glow’ from his sixth studio album ‘Everything’ (releasing Feb 28th) is a track rich in textured off-set rhythms and poised, fragile atmosphere. The opening melody with its deliberate plodding notation gives us a sense of innocence in motion, like a baby taking its first steps. We feel included in something tender but the presence of the glacial pads keeps us from drifting off entirely. Ninety seconds in, naturalistic percussion comes into play, adding some movement that brings us to a heightened sense of place and purpose, which Glow does very well. At it’s peak Glow elevates its sense of innocence to a place of powerful grace and while Zaragoza could have dramatized this easily- he doesn’t, instead he expresses his message with layered subtleties resulting in a pure and steady healing glow.
Pre-order the album over on Bandcamp
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Serenity now with London's Sleepless
The classic downtempo, acid jazz sound is alive and thriving throughout Sleepless's 4th album, Serene.
While there isn't much info to be found on the man behind the beats, the music speaks for itself. It harks back to a simple time of bass heavy, laid back bobbers, with crisp snare snaps and the odd jazzy instrumental. I've been missing music like this. Sleepless recalls genre pioneers like DJ Cam, Dilla, Amon Tobin and more.
Serene, which dropped late last week is Sleepless's fourth album in five years. Each of his releases provide the lo-fi vibes which drew many of us into acid jazz and instrumental hip hop from the beginning. Serene, as an album is a pleasure. It's filled with smokey, back room sizzlers to help us fade into the night and early morning risers to bring us back. In our hard pounding, technological, unrelenting world, a little serenity is necessary to keep sane amidst the daily madness.
Stand outs from the 16 track album include 'Process' which features guitar work from Rax Beheshti, 'Don't Forget' which features smooth muted horns and the dreamy 'Where You At?'.
Don’t sleep on this release, go grab Serene on Bandcamp now.
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