Buy link: bit.ly/3ytbVhe
Member of the RISE collective and label co-founder Hyenah returns to his RISE imprint this July with a debut album: Love In Times Of Crisis. The twelve-track LP contains twelve individual collaborations, featuring a global selection of artists.
The enigmatic producer spoke on his ethos behind making music, as well as described the global context that brought about the LP: “Hyenah spreads the message of unity and equality, filling dancefloors with love and joining communities from Durban to Tokyo, Copenhagen to Sao Paulo. Whilst things may have come to a halt in 2020, the artist behind the visor continued to work on a musical vision: and now it’s about to be released. Love In Times Of Crisis is a collaboration with friends and colleagues from all over the world.”
The Rite begins proceedings, upping the tempo gently via tribal percussion and Sweden’s Ernesto & The Basement Gospel’s inspiring vocals before the forthcoming single The Balance soon arrives. A collaborative effort between Hyenah, Canary Islander Pablo Fierro, and South African spoken-word artist Lazarusman, it’s a club-ready number, perfect for delighting dancefloors thanks to electrifying synths and tension-building breakdowns.
Amazi Wakho is the only solo production on the LP, gifting us an insight into Hyenah’s world through minimal bass tones and subtle kick-hat pairings. Afrika Elektra then takes its place, as we welcome the late-great NYC linchpin Lamont Booker AKA eLBee BaD who delights us with an enchanting soliloquy throughout. Gifting us his last-ever song, he paves the way for The Message (Soul Version). Another promising collaboration, this time German-born poet Bajka reminds us that “they can’t stop us now”, inspiring listeners with her innately touching voice, whilst the rhythmic feel of Moood soon lands.
Another leading New Yorker, Patricia Baloge’s singing transports us to euphoric realms, as the track builds swiftly into The Manifesto. It bridges both Afro-house and melodic worlds, retaining an inherent late-night edge throughout, before This Is Your Love (Club Mix) sees Netherlands-artist and Crosstown Rebels inductee Nanghiti sing amongst delicate pads and a pulsing underlying bassline, opening neatly into You Can’t Hide. Chugging along with a natural groove, techy synths compliment the transcendent tones of ‘African Nomad’ and RISE co-creator Floyd Lavine.
Swedish crooner Ernesto & The Basement Gospel appears once again on Devil’s Advocat, as raw drums reside next to authentic, Afro-inspired percussion. Rain Queen acts as the album’s penultimate number, taking the form of a wonderful closing saga courtesy of RISE-regular G-Washington, whilst Life’s Plan soon brings things to a close with Demetrius’ vocals leaving us warm, hopeful, and inspired.
01. Hyenah X Ernesto & The Basement Gospel – The Rite
02. Hyenah X Pablo Fierro X Lazarusman – The Balance
03. Hyenah – Amazi Wakho
04. Hyenah & eLBee BaD – Afrika Elektra
05. Hyenah X Bajka – The Message (Soul Version)
06. Hyenah X Patricia Baloge – Moood
07. Hyenah X Rimarkable – The Manifesto
08. Hyenah X Nanghiti – This Is Your Love (Club Mix)
09. Hyenah X Floyd Lavine – You Can’t Hide
10. Hyenah X Ernesto & The Basement Gospel – Devil’s Advocat
11. Hyenah X G-Washington – Rain Queen
12. Hyenah X Demetrius – Life’s Plan
Hyenah Tour Dates
06.05. Tirana AL – Arté
07.05. Berlin DE -Watergate
13.05. IstanbulTR-Kastel
14.05 Dakar SN – Agence Trames
21.05. Dubai UAE – Surf Club wt Agoria
02.06 Marbella SP – Mogli
04.06. Amsterdam NL – Pleinvrees Festival
17.06. Paris FR – Djoon
18.06. Berlin DE – Rise at Watergate
01.07 Fusion Festival DE -tbc
08.07. Madrid ES – Palacio Magalia
09.07. Cesme TR – tbc
16.07. San Diego USA – Quartyard
17.07. Berlin – RISE Open Air at Sage Beach
22.07. Kerpen DE – Katzensprung Festival
23.07. Tisno HR – SuncéBeat
31.07. Berlin – Watergate Open Air
04.08. Mykonos GR – Scorpios
12.08. Pangea Festival DE – tba
21.08. Bali ID – Savaya
22.08. St Tropez FR – Pablo
23.08. Ramatuelle FR – Indie Beach House
27.08. Portugal – Watergate Showcase tbc
24.08. Marseille FR – La Cabane Des Amis
01.09 – 04.09 South Africa Tour
03.09. London UK – Beautiful People Festival
Release date: July 1st, 2022.