released: october 18, 2028

genre: dance / broken-beat

from: london, uk

label: touching bass

a few thoughts: touching bass releases are always an event for me. soulful, groovy, hard-hitting and always a vibe, it’s a joy to be able to discover the sounds of incredibly talented artists. london-based producer d’monk has released his debut ep on the label, a 6-track dance-centric, broken-beat masterpiece that sounds incredible on record, and even livelier and punchier live (yeah, i was there dancing my ass off at the release party the night of the release, and oh it was needed!). his relationship with errol and alex from touching bass flourished after their trip to berlin, where he booked them to perform for his party shush, and started developing music ideas that were rooted in dilla-esque drumming and kaidi tatham-esque rhythms, combining atmospheric synths with insane grooves that hit from start to finish. the drum-centric “broken rhythm composer” sets the tone with intense rhythms and basslines that feel raw and hypnotic. the acid house rhythms are infectious, with vocal cuts and heavy synths that cut through the energetic beat, before it blossoms into an ethereal composition that is lush and beautiful. “u light me up” is an incredible 9-minute cut, with stellar broken-beat rhythms and emphatic synths that build and intertwine with the heavy basslines and grooves throughout. the crazy composition on “u just don’t know what u do 2 me (live)” is just so good, with drum arrangements and a bass-heavy groove that is just incredible from start to finish. the emphatic basslines throughout this track and the entire project are just mesmeric, as the soulful, groove of “don’t state the obvious (live)” makes it another highlight on the project for me. “shine” featuring yoofee closes the project with a dynamic yet soulful cut with a delicate, funky and infectious groove that’s just sublime from start to finish. the guitar melodies, the synths and emphatic drumming is just incredible, and makes for a fitting final moment on a sublime, fruitful and dynamic project. d’monk has released a gem of a project.

the album: