The inimitable Voices Of Black return to Gadi Mizrahi’s Double Standard imprint with the first single from their forthcoming third album. Fresh and funk-ridden ‘Atom Bomb’ is an offbeat, distorted discoid jam given the special remix treatment from crew members No Regular Play and Tanner Ross.
Carving out a sound and style all their own, Baba Ali and Jules Born aka Voices Of Black are a pair of industrious and generous creative spirits just as likely to deliver their wares via free mixtapes as release on family labels Wolf + Lamb and Double Standard. After a self-release debut came ‘Plastic Dolls’ on Wolf + Lamb in 2011 - a concept album mixing astute influences with youthful experimentation. Ever since, the VOB sound has continued to evolve with soulful musicality and languid lyrical candour, the beautifully cohesive ‘Her Flower EP’ featuring Rap Lisa on W+L last year a testament to their flowing charisma.
If you’re familiar with the New Jersey duo by now then chances are you’ll know a VOB track when you hear one. Original yet with an ability to transport you with that familiar warmth, next single ‘Atom Bomb’ has an instantly off kilter feel. A distorted, dreamy 80s melody fused with a funked up disco riff building up to a shower of effervescing synths and a rich sonic backdrop.
Tanner Ross´s wonderfully sublime voyage brings the pace down to 98bpm, transforming ‘Atom Bomb’ into a mellower trip with laid-back percussive groove, cosmically deep languorous beats and Tanner’s signature sprinkling of space dust. After a stunning EP on no.19 Music and previous tracks and remixes for DS, Wolf + Lamb, plus the DJ Kicks on k7, Tanner is set to unveil a 5 track EP for the next delivery on Double Standard.
Marcy residents No Regular Play deliver a housier arrangement on the flip with a quirky synth-laden groove that effortlessly complements the original and hooks you from the start. Trippiness courtesy of the amazingly talented John Camp’s live arpeggiator, NRP’s classic mid-point breakdown of soul-melting keys, and the unmistakable muted tones of Greg Paulus’s trumpet result in another compelling rework.




