::Roland Clark, Ant LaRock – Alkebulan::
Todd Terry protégé Ant LaRock has provided some gems for Exploited Ghetto previously in the form of ‘Grown Ups’ and ‘When’, and this latest effort with house legend Roland Clark on vocals is by far his strongest production to date.
The word ‘Alkebulan’ is the ancient name for Africa, and stands of mother of mankind. This holds strong relevance to current times, celebrating both black music origin and culture.
‘Alkebulan’ centres around a rousing Afro chant, and splices deeper house and techno flavours in equal measure. Clark’s vocal gives a dramatic edge, spinning a narrative yarn over the peppy percussion and subby bass tones. Blasts of low-slung synth drama swoop in and out dramatically before they switch to an uplifting chord progression. A plucked lead motif rocks a jaunty feel, and is doubled up pleasingly with a marimba-esque sound as the beat slowly techifies through cymbal rides and off-beat claps. This full, thick atmosphere is built brilliantly, and strips back in hugely effective fashion midway to allow for a slow but powerful rebuild.
‘For You’ is quite a different kettle of fish, a spacious, heads-down, pacey deep house / tech romp with soft acid tones, pulsing stabs, shuffling beats and a whistling arpeggio which pulls you further into the delicious depths.
