It’s in IM:Ltd’s nature to push beyond the usual when it comes to release drum & bass and this latest release from newcomer Comfort aka James Turner is a breath of fresh air in a world filled with deep, dank rhythms. Filling the atmosphere with smooth ambient textures, but with the production and beats to back up any experimentation, the “James Turner” EP is for the adventurous soul, who wants to look beyond the bass and out towards the horizon.
Title track “Shore Leave” shimmers and shape shifts, with smooth bass and beautiful piano dreamily rolling out into the distance. “Scillonian Bay” adds a little more funk to the mix, with a bit more bite and some interesting samples and vocals thrown in, where “Thin Blue Line” heads straight back to Comfort’s chilled strengths, and forgoing the ocean for a minute, captures the sounds of lazy traffic and laughter, with stirring strings and breezy percussion. Finally, “The Old Hospital” is something different again, with crisp clicks counterpointing the smooth warmth of the sax and bass places throughout to really give some sense of depth. Jazz influences are scattered throughout, as more familiar jungle-esque beats swell and break.
Comfort’s debut is an exploration into not only the beautiful side of drum and bass, but into his unique style of production, looking further into depth, warmth and textures to create an outstanding panoramic sound. As subsonic bass competes with itself at the other end of the DnB spectrum, the effervescence of Comfort’s style is refreshing. A name and a talent to keep tabs on.
-words by Katie-
LISTEN :
http://soundcloud.com/influenza-ltd/sets/imltd-034-the-james-turner-ep
Purchase this release on Juno Download: http://www.junodownload.com/products/the-james-turner-ep/1962885-02/
Purchase this release on Beatport: http://www.beatport.com/release/the-james-turner-ep/909487
Released by: IM:LTD
Release/catalogue number: IMLTD 034
Release date: May 21, 2012