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***As society speeds headlong through the 21st century, we stand at a unique juncture in musical history. Worldviews expand and sonic geographies contract as people and philosophies travel faster and farther than ever before. Analog and digital information weave together, as analog forms of expression-- the voice, the drum skin, the low-end rumble-- disintegrate into ones and zeros and rebuild into a new hybridity. The intersection of digitalism and globalism is the future made real. No one understands this better than Ghislain Poirier, a commanding artist who explores new terrains of hip hop and electronic music fused with world riddim idioms twisted deep around bass. His obsession for the big, the dirty, and the rhythmic laid the foundation for creating No Ground Under, his first album for Ninja Tune. No Ground Under is chock full of what he describes as "cosmopolitan bass and chunky digital dancehall." Quick-fast riddims with scattered snare chatting slap up against future electro funk, fat beat stabs, and sub bass switch-ups. Grimy digital soca lights up beside laser beams slicing through congas. Electro pop with right amount of fucked-up double-up melodically crunks out. Bodyrocking meets necksnapping in all the right places. No Ground Under is a banging record, with enough bounce to make the dance floor quake and bodies shake. It's a testament to a man who has been making music for years and is truly coming into his own with a sound that will make the global villagers jump up and get on the good foot. 30-second MP3 excerpts: Courto
Blazin Featuring Face-T
Jusqu'en Haut Featuring Omnikrom
Hit & Red
No More Blood Featuring Face-T
Go Ballistic Featuring Zulu
One Hand Can't Clap
City Walking Featuring Abdominal
Ladies & Gentleman Featuring Ambitieux, DJ Netik
It's A War War War
Exils Featuring Abdelhak Rahal
Dem Nah Like Me Featuring Mr Lee G
Diaspora
Mangnen L'boule Featuring Nik Myo |
