#photay

The follow up to the politically charged, award-winning More Arriving is an Indo-futurist manifesto - in rhythmic step with the past and the present, it sets out to describe a route forward. KALAK celebrates a rich South Asian culture of music and literature, which resonates with spirituality and community, while envisaging a better future from those building blocks. Recorded at Real World studios with meticulous production by New York electronic musician, DJ and producer Photay, who translates these communal rhythms and practices into a timeless and groundbreaking electronic record. There’s a spirituality and warmth at play in the polyrhythms, group vocals and melodic flourishes. The KALAK rhythm is the fulcrum upon which the 11-track project balances. After an intense lockdown induced period of reflection and meticulous note-making, Korwar boiled this down to the circular KALAK symbol which he then presented to his band before recording began. With the symbol projected on the walls in order to de-code and improvise around, Korwar had utter faith in the musicians he’d assembled and conviction in the concept. The final part of the KALAK project is realised in the cover artwork by New Delhi-based designer Sijya Gupta. Korwar and photographer friend Fabrice Bourgelle took a light sculpture of the KALAK symbol on a road trip around Southern India, through Chennai, Pondicherry and Auroville. The evocative shots appear on the cover of the various formats, with each one offering a different angle on the country, continent and culture that inspired the album.  Sarathy Korwar - drums, percussion, vocals, electronics Tamar Osborn - baritone saxophone, flute, electronics Alistair MacSween - synthesisers Danalogue - synthesisers Magnus Mehta - percussion Photay - additional synthesisers and drum programming Vocals on 2 by Kushal Gaya Vocals on 4 by Noni-Mouse Vocals and drums on B3 by Kodo Group vocals by Sarathy Korwar, Rohini Kharkar, Tushar Menon, Tamar Osborn, Alistair MacSween, Fabrice Bourgelle and Photay

Photay - Photay (2014)

You cannot have that last name and have such an awesome voice and not be Bobby McFerrin’s child. Anyway... this song is good, but it gets fucking great from 1:40 onward. Excellent soundscapes.

1. Daniel Caesar ft. Kali Uchis – Get You 2. Thundercat – Them Changes 3. Pharrell Williams – Take It Off (Dim the Lights) 4. The Isley Brothers – Between the Sheets 5. Beach House – Master of None 6. Photay ft. Madison McFeerrin – Outré Lux 7. DVSN – Too Deep 8. Ginuwine – So Anxious 9. SZA – The Weekend 10. NAO – Get To Know You (Kaytranada Flip) 11. Sampha – Can’t Get Close (Deebs Edit) 12. Syd – Body 13. Justin Timberlake – Set the Mood Prelude 14. Frank Ocean – Pink + White (Morris’ Voodoo Edit) 15. Miguel – Pussy Is Mine 16. T-Pain - Buy U A Drank (Teddy Roxpin Remix) 17. Gibbz – Stay For a While 18. Steve Lacy – Ryd 19. Drake – Fire & Desire 20. BADBADNOTGOOD ft. Charlotte Day Wilson – In Your Eyes (Nosaj Thing Remix) 21. Toro y Moi – So Many Details 22. Tame Impala – Past Life 23. OutKast – Prototype

I gave myself an assignment over winter break to draw the top 10 artists behind my favorite music this year. From top to bottom... Kiefer - Kickinit Alone Playing this album consistently since release and don't plan on removing it from rotation. Kiefer's amazing on keys, his playing filtered to the point of sounding like dusty samples. 2017's best fusion of jazz and hip-hop. Dego & Kaidi - As So We Gwarn Every Dego or Kaidi release is an event for me, so I pre-ordered this record as soon as it was announced knowing it would be great. It's electric funky jazz with infectious chords and rhythms that I can't stop listening to. K15 - Speed of Life 2017 was the year house finally clicked with me, especially when I began hearing hints of broken beat in it. This album resonated with me for that reason. Photay - Onism I found out about Photay after hearing his beat on Broad City and having a "who is this??" moment. "Onism" snuck up on me. Sonically it's very interesting, with many unexpected sounds, instruments and layers. Bonus points for being a drummer. Dan Kye - Joy, Ease, Lightness "Wallflower" was great, but I had this EP on repeat for months. Part of my nudge into house music (along with the rest of Rhythm Section), I look forward to anything else Jordan does with his alter-ego. Duke Hugh - Poly Valence EP I'm not sure why it took this long for me to find out about Duke, but I was hooked instantly after hearing his "Canvas" EP. "Approaching Lights" could have this spot, too. But I think that fire Awanto 3 remix edges it out. Sam Gellaitry - Escapism III I didn't hear the previous "Escapism" EPs until this year so it's basically one album to me. These aren't just beats, they're compositions; weaving glowing synths, strings and other instruments into satisfyingly heavy bass. Earl Grey - Headwinds After stumbling across the madness of "Karmic Sprain" in 2016, this was one of my most anticipated releases. This is what I want from d'n'b. Let the drums do what they need to do. The hip-hop interludes help, too. Joe Armon-Jones & Maxwell Owin - Idiom I just found about this EP a week or so ago. It's a great taste of the jazz scene building in South London that I definitely need to dig deeper into. Every track just sounds right to me. DJ Harrison - HazyMoods Who knew Stones Throw would sign not one but two VA artists this year, DJ Harrison from RVA and Stimulator Jones from my hometown. I'm biased, but I love seeing artists from my home added to one of my favorite labels of all time. 10 other artists worth listening to: 30/70 - Elevate Cid Rim - Material Daedelus - Wears House Harvey Sutherland - Expectations Jonti - Tokorats Nai Palm - Needle Paw Neue Grafik - Soul Conspiracy Ruby Rushton - Trudi’s Songbook, Vol. 1 & 2 Shigeto - The New Monday Wandl - It’s All Good Tho

:333 thanks! it’s from timex. i bought it on sale because i’m a cheapskate. XD