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artist.....: Sampha
album......: Dual EP
year.......: 2013
label......: Young Turks
YT087 CD
source.....: CDDA
moodswing..: Hip-Hop
releasesize: 30,3 MB
tracks.....: 06
length.....: 17:25 min
encoder....: VBR LAME 3.98.4 -V0
quality....: avg. 239kbps
scenealized: 10.09.2013
Part of the charm of SBTRKT's 2011
self-titled debut was the presence of
Sampha Sisay, a now 24-year-old South
Londoner who lent his voice to nearly
every track on the album. There was
never a doubt that, based on raw
talent alone, Sampha was not only an
artist to keep a close eye on (the
same year found him collaborating with
then-upstarts Jessie Ware and Lil
Silva), but one with star potential.
On the bracing "Hold On", his vocals--
warm but damaged, understated yet
dynamic-- ache with loneliness,
whereas on more movement-minded
concoctions like "Sanctuary", it's
transformed into a conduit for light-
speed, future-minded R&B. In other
words, Sampha's instrument is a
dexterous one, effortlessly commanding
attention in whatever context it's
placed. Now after spending the past
few years as an integral part of
SBTRKT's live show, he's finally
stepping out on his own with the
deeply personal Dual EP.
Last month, Drake debuted his new
single "The Motion" in anticipation of
his forthcoming third record Nothing
Was the Same, with Sampha in tow on
both vocal and production duties.
Though Sampha's singing isn't featured
prominently, the melancholic tug of
his presence is felt in nearly every
corner of the track, from the
lighter-than-air atmospherics to his
downcast, honeyed croon. It signified
what could be a more noticeable
arrival for Sampha, especially when
coupled with the the release of Dual.
But somewhat surprisingly, it feels as
if he's pushing against the idea of an
elevated profile with the 17 minutes
of music that make up his first solo
venture. Instead of acting as a grand
coronation, Dual is a patient piece of
work that finds Sampha in no rush to
capitalize on a moment, instead opting
to showcase simple, relatable musings
on loss, uncertainty, and moving
forward. At the same time, Dual
carries a strange urgency with it, as
if these songs had to come out of him
now (despite their genesis going back
years, in certain cases). The result
is unexpected, but refreshing, with
Sampha comfortably inhabiting the role
of an artist interested in staying
true to himself.
So it goes without saying that Dual
isn't something you'll find yourself
dancing much to (save maybe for the
sultry "Without", complete with
plastic bucket street drumming and
bleary synths). Instead, these
ruminative, revealing songs paint a
more intimate portrait of Sampha.
There are ghosts hiding around almost
every corner, like on the lost lullaby
"Beneath the Tree", which finds him
wishing a monster would "take all its
things and go." Anchored by his
delicate piano, it's the first thing
that truly springs to life on the EP
(it follows opener "Demons", one of
two very short, homemade sounding
one-offs). Sampha's relationship with
keys are important to Dual; almost
everything here seems to orbit around
his voice and piano. The radiant
"Indecision", with its gospel-like
quality, feels as if it would be just
as effective unplugged. But to do away
with all the wonderful details, like
those strange, mechanized backing
vocal snippets, would be to ignore
Sampha's deft ear for detail and his
restrained but vibrant approach to
mixing. These songs are nuanced and
uncluttered. At the same time, the
humanizing imperfections are never
lost. (It's no wonder Drakes has
revered him as a producer as much as a
singer.)
Unfortunately, this probably means
that many won't pay as much attention
to Sampha as a bonafide songwriter.
And it's a shame, because while a
passing glance at these songs may not
reveal many layers, his use of
repetition and unfussy language afford
Dual some startling emotional
relevance. Closer "Can't Get Close" is
sung for his late father, who Sampha
lost at the age of nine and still
regards as one of his most important
musical influences. Tapping into
something haunting and pure, he sings
over a mournful weave of pitched
vocals, lamenting, "I can't get close
to you." The desperation is something
that will resonate with anyone
familiar with the helplessness of
loss. For someone so willing to lay
himself this bare as a first
impression is rare, but in terms of
the music found on Dual, nothing could
be more natural. It's further proof
that following the sound of your own
voice is often more fruitful and
rewarding than doing what everyone
else expects of you.
DL Link:
https://bleep.com/release/44924-
sampha-dual
Encoded from wav to vbr, enjoy!
Psst, more info at www.theyoungturks.co.uk
01 Demons 00:55
02 Beneath The Tree 04:00
03 Without 03:46
04 Hesitant Oath 00:37
05 Indecision 04:28
06 Can't Get Close 03:39