ALBUM REVIEW | DAMU – UNITY

Written By: Netti on November 6, 2011 No Comment

Damu, aka Sam Schorb, is a 22 year old Mancunian, who’s about to drop his first celestial album – ‘Unity’ – on November 7th. As a producer who has risen out of the ‘post-genre’ revolution and with only a small number of releases and remixes to his name, it’s an exciting listen. Damu’s production is refreshing and vibrant, progressive but familiar. His sound fuses a mesh of chopped up R’n’B/ garage vocals, sparkling melodies, sci-fi synths and tribal drums that adorn a heavy bassline.

‘Breathless’ is the initial stand out track – its’ shimmering intro hypnotises the listener and lures them on a journey through his intricately layered production. It’s an enchanting experience, drifting through a kaleidoscope of carefully placed synths and samples. Hopeful vocals accompany a gorgeous breakdown as the track slowly unfolds, until gasping, it drops and you’re left orbiting in an audio utopia.

There’s no denying the positive uplifting feel of Schorb’s production – the track ‘L.O.V.E’ shimmers with steel pans and melodic arpeggios that conjure a Caribbean mirage – even my anti-bass housemate asked for a copy.

It’s refreshing to hear such happy production considering the bass growling genre Damu’s sound has grown from. His music echoes the sounds of artists that rule his revered genres – Burial, Zomby, Hudson Mowhawke, Dorian Concept and Bok Bok. You can hear the meshed sounds of Night Slugs lazered across a couple of tracks on the album. In the track entitled, ‘Ridin The Hype’ featuring Trim he creates a dancefloor party hit, reminiscent of Bok Bok, that’s nicely cooled by Trim’s mellow vocal.

What makes Damu’s music so unique is his detail and layering – building tracks out of a shoal of samples, synths, effects and melodies that cumulate in a pounding climax. If there’s any criticism, it’s that at times the detail can sound untidy and leave you feeling nagged by the recurrent galactic sounding arpeggios.

It’s not only Damu’s construction that sets his production apart but the emotion it induces. His music resonates a balanced sense of happy melancholy – that sees you anchored by a determined bass while tripping off a colourful buzz.

Having just done a guest mix for XLR8R, it seems Damu is getting the hype he deserves, as an exciting producer with no doubt even bigger things to come.

‘Unity’ is available now through Boomkat here.