IVAN AVE Vinilo y CD

Review: German Ivan Ave is a core member of the flourishing contemporary beat scene and has put out a coupe of crucial record on labels like Berlin's Jakarta. Now he branches out to Norway's Mutual Intentions with a crisp new EP, Mid Season, on 10". It showcases the dexterity of his voice which goes from offering up classic bloom bap era par's to more stylised Prince-esque deliveries on 'Mid' and downbeat, almost mumble rap styles on 'Names.' Four instrumental versions of the originals are included on the flip and will be sweet in the club, but you can't beat the vocals.

Review: Ivan Ave's new album - his first for three years - has all the makings of an essential summer classic. Hazy, humid, languid and quietly colourful, it offers a soulful, sun-soaked fusion of modern soul, yacht rock, jazz-funk, drowsy electrofunk and hip-hop that sounds superb blasting out of speakers on a sweltering summer's day. It's immaculately played and produced too, with the Norwegian's own sung and rapped vocals being complemented by the voices and musical skills of a fine cast list of guest artists. Impressively, this cast-list includes Silentjay, Byron The Aquarius, Kiefer, multi-instrumentalist Sasac, Hiatus Kaiyote's Clever Austin and chanteuse Sarah Naero.

Review: Premier Norwegian rapper Ivan Ave is set to release his long-awaited debut album in April, but before that he serves up this sweet 7". He's established himself in the Soundcloud generation as a man with a distinctive voice and ear for melody. Check "Triple Double Love", where his voice floats smoothly above the beats that lull you into a mellow vibe. "Phone Won't Charge" is a rickety one with lush chords and hits poking through to add bite, while the instrumental versions on the flip are fully laid back and spaced out quality stoner jams. That album can't come fast enough.