#unknown summer

Put your arms around me

Infirmary / Unknown Summer

Welcome back to 'Off The Record', a bi-weekly segment focused entirely on bringing you the best new music.

Friday saw the release of a one-off split single from 'Hyperdub' boss Kode9 and Burial on fabric Originals [FRO10].

Run it back to 05 when Burials 'South London's Boroughs' EP hit the press and you'll discover the roots of this longstanding relationship, one responsible for some of the most innovative and influential sounds to come out of the UK, ever.

Now 18 years later, having contributed to various records together and collaborated for the likes of the 'fabricLive 100' mix [2018] and Mary Anne Hobbs' 'ICONS Mix' [BBC 2010] - the pair combine forces once more for the latest edition to the fabric sub-label.

The player leads with the soulful sounds of 'Infirmary'. Littered with interesting twists of tempo, vocal cuts and eclectic percussive rhythms - it as a testament to the broad array of sounds we've heard from Kode9 over the years, both familiar and unpredictable.

The flip side features 'Unknown Summer' a near 10 minute escapade that can only be described as "Burialesque". Atmospheric soundscapes, blissful bass, and in true Burial fashion, excellent sampling - form this excellent B side, one that fondly reminded me of the sounds of 'Untrue' [2007] an LP that redefined the possibilities of a club record and changed the way I consumed and created electronic music to date.

Editors Note: Upon first listen, 'Unknown Summer' went slightly over my head. I quickly and impatiently labeled it 'formless', but I was wrong (surprise, surprise)... After I parked my preconceived notions and gave it a proper listen, it came through - as Burial records have a habit of doing. I concede that my predispositions are more of an adulation than anything else - for the best music has always left me questioning form. You win this time Mr. Bevan, touché...