DON LEISURE Vinilo y CD

Review: First Word Records present a new album from Don Leisure with Amanda Whiting. Beyond The Midnight Sun expands upon ground first explored on Don Leisure's track 'All Praises Due', which also featured harpist Amanda (with Angel Bat Dawid), and featured on his previous album 'Shaboo Strikes Back'. This is a full-length project on which these two formidable Welsh artists have collaborated together. "The project is a journey down the road that was revealed to me on 'All Praises Due' on 'Shaboo Strikes Back'. I wanted to move in a different direction from the beat tape format on my previous releases while still maintaining the core Don Leisure sound, fused with live instrumentation and vocals etc". A seven-track affair comprised of delectable spiritual jazz fused with hip hop beats, psychedelic electronics and a touch of soul.

Review: Don Leisure's last album in 2017 was a real cult classic for hip hop and beat lovers. First World Records have finally got the follow up ready, and the much anticipated Shaboo Strikes Back does not leave anyone disappointed. It stretches out over 25 tracks and each one is a balmy and heady mix of fuzzy synths, wooden drum hits and smart samples that take in everything from serene strings to old soul vocals. It's a widescreen listen with loose tambourines dangled over gypsy funk synths on 'Shaboo Strikes Back' while 'Sugar Cane Juice' is a more edgy hip-hop cut. Super stuff.