Album Of The Week: Julien Dyne “Teal” (Soundway Records)

It becomes post-haste clear on the 11 track mega groove affair “Teal”, from New Zealand multi-instrumentalist and visual artist Julien Dyne, at some point he was just a drummer.

The fluidity at work here allowing 808s and live drumming to exist as one cohesive unit, is a credit to Dyne who has extracted classic House music emotion and placed it within his own rhythm context. Dyne’s universe, similar to a peak Wes Andersen film, creates soundscapes that are in constant motion.

Swirling, altering and gliding moments with vibraphone and tiny computer-assisted voices keep our attention heightened with chaotic bliss eventually leading to sore ankles. No stagnation on this cut loud at DJ-friendly 45RPM record. So many jams here for only to feet to manoeuvre.

Upon the first listen of “Teal” in its entirety you understand why Dyne worked with the likes of Theo Parrish, Steve Spacek, Andreya Triana and Lord Echo. You get why he was championed by both Moodymann and Gilles Peterson. His remix credits for Marcel Vogel, Ghostwave and Leroy Burgess contextually make more sense. Dyne’s on-going affiliation with fellow New Zealanders Lord Echo and Mara TK, long-term band-mate Ladi6, Fat Freddy’s Drop trumpeter Toby Laing, plus Australian vocalist Tim Guy and Jazz luminaries Jonathan Crayford and John Bell all help in this uptempo euphoric achievement.

On the soulful R&B track ‘Hours’, Dyne’s longtime collaborator Ladi6 vocally charms the hell out of a Stevie Wonder type chord progression placed ideally within Dyne’s snare-heavy production.

Then on the standout slump House figure ‘Hot Shoe’, Dyne just flexes those know how ideas on making an addictive cut that moves feet, creates sonic density with a Giorgio Moroder meets Sly Stone drum machine percolating hiss underneath the melody, while a cool Roy Ayers influenced vibraphone keeps things shuffling in chill mode. You’re gonna press repeat on this one!

“Teal” released October 19, 2018 on Soundway Records

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John-Paul Shiver

SF Music Journalist who writes for @pulplab @sfsonicmag , likes more songs about buildings and food. He's written for several Bay Area Music publications over the past 15 years.