Steve Cobby - Saudade (2014)

Future Fusion from the Fila Brazilia man`s first solo release in 18 years. One of the people behind the influential Pork Recordings, and classic tracks such as “Mermaids” and “Leggy”, this new album covers everything from Jazz to Electro.

Tropical spirituals where Moodymann and Joe Claussell line-up for Adam Pierce`s Mice Parade. Synthesizer Funk like Bernie Worrell using Kraftwerk`s “Pocket Calculator” for a metronome. Vicious Bop Swing. ESG bass-lines. Holistic grooves and calypso caresses. The sleepy kick of Baird Remo and Ifach.

Steve Gurley`s Garage. Dilla`s blade to the beats. An evolution of the Mafia`s `90s Soul cut-ups. Machines programmed like live drums. Funky drummers borrowed from days rocking the 1s and 2s, and the lino.

Warm pads borrowed from Deep 3 A.M. House. Atlas earthed. Russ Gabriel`s “Dirty Kay”. Lewis Parker`s Jedi on Bite It! A precision borrowed from Techno. Weldon Irvine`s liberated brother, looking to both blue skies and stars.

Trip Hop? This was always more than a bunch of samples and a bag of weed. Cobby created, defined, the sound, before lazy came and gave it a name.
It might actually be all about the drums, with the painting of keys adding colour and mood. A rave celebration. 4 Hero digging solar treasure. Sunnyview. Tommy Boy. Salsa Smurph and a Space Cowboy.