Werkha - Colours Of A Red Brick Raft (2015)

The debut album from Manchester based musician Werkha, showcasing his infectious electronic production, a fusion of Afrobeat, Bass, House, Jazz, Funk and Soul. This Manchester based musician encompasses a range of influence on his debut album to showcase his talents as a truly exciting producer. Building on the success of acts like Mount Kimbie and Bonobo this record is an exciting mix of bass led jazzy house. Via the delicate, transcendental string and vocal-led beauty of "Dusk feat. Bryony Jarman-Pinto" and the forward-thinking, deep house-meets-FlyLo chicanery of "Falling Through The Wall", the two track lead single hints at the eclectic range of the album. The gleefully catchy standout "Sidesteppin'" rightfully takes its place, and the earthy yet finely honed vocals of this star in-the-making intertwine with funky guitar work and fuzzy electronics from Leah for an ode to the movement and buzz of urban life in "City Shuffle". The title bubbling evocatively with the themes and imagery within, 'Colours Of A Red Brick Raft' is a record on which the excitement, movement and personal and artistic development of recent years are palpably present. "I have always had a mix of inspirations, but all this movement and exposure to so many different environments has helped me embrace the idea of channelling lots of different styles into one album", says Leah; "I basically realised: albums should be as fun and as engaging as travels are".