new sector movements: these times
Francisco Espregueira
We take today’s post to listen and write to a very special feature. A foundational influence for us, the New Sector Movements project releases its first record in 15 years via First Word Records: the long awaited These Times is a glorious 5-tracker comprised of street soul, hip hop, jazz and bruk-tinged vibes, showcasing the latest works from the quasi-group founded by from master DJ, producer, tastemaker IG Culture (CoOp Presents / LCSM), featuring the vocal talents of Allysha Joy, Mike City and Natalie May with additional accompaniment from Wonky Logic, Wayne Francis, Alex Phountzi and the NSM Fusion Starship. This is one is a special ride.
As you probably know, if you’ve been visiting us, IG Culture is a hugely pioneering prolific artist in the UK music scene. His catalogue of releases over the years has seen numerous aliases, collaborations, remixes and productions. Appearing on the scene in 1990 as part of Dodge City Productions, to producing several solo albums throughout the noughties, to recent years with his hugely-acclaimed cosmic jazz outfit LCSM (Likwid Continual Space Motion), additionally to co-running the CoOp Presents label, continuing the legacy of the award-winning club night whilst showcasing new artists, IG Culture has been omnipresent at every corner of British black music for three decades deep, influencing many a sound.
These Times marks the return of his work under the New Sector Movements project, with five tracks that illustrate a pertinent mood and attitude representing the current climate. Allysha Joy leads the vocal on the EP’s title-track, a sumptuous slice of street soul with a deeply infectious horn hook. “Stand” is next - uptempo boom bap for the dancers, this one featuring the soulful pipes of Mike City. “Hope” is a midtempo jazz-funk dub again feature vocal licks from Allysha, and introducing the mysterious NSM Fusion Starship into the fold. “H.E.A.T.” picks up the pace with some infectious jazz-bruk business, lead by Natalie May on the vocals, who explains "heat = movement, motion". Closing the set “Bless” rotates on a four-four riddim with bruk sensibilites, inviting Mike City back with an uplifting vocal requesting we "bless the people just trying to make it". An essential EP, These Times is available on vinyl, filled with cross-genre vibes to resonate cross-generations.