Various Artists Ripperton Presents Zendama Tamed Musiq | The Electro Review

Various Artists
Ripperton Presents Zendama
Tamed Musiq
TBR: 8th November


What began life as an idea for one record encompassing the vibes of all the positive people attracted to the Tamed Musiq dipole has resulted in a carefully manicured double EP. Ripperton Presents is a mash-up mix of various talents and feels that flow ambiently from artist to artist. Dissected into two distinctive parts, the double whammy vinyl offering takes us on a Tamed Musiq journey through inspiration and adventure.


Track one takes us straight into a house beat. Marching pace drums pound a dance tempo while subtle under-sonics scrape and slide against rough surfaces. The music progresses gradually, more emphasis enters in the atmospheric side while the consistently penetrating beat rumbles forward. Howling whistles frame a melodic element which usher in bouncy rubber drums which wobble and ping underneath. Matt Karmil with Just For Me builds in layers, new additions of percussion fortify and raise the vibrational mood.


Luminous Black & Emerald is next from Lord Of The Isles. A quick and snappy tempo resonates across dry open plains while distant rock formations bounce the echoes back to us. Distorted waveforms and static hums build like creeping vines around a framework of energetic flux. Building up and working down, melody begins to chime on either side with sporadic and harmonious bursts.


Number three opens with a wide open synth phaser which sweeps from side to side. Distant birds call out from secretive forests before a new projection of sound is unveiled. Magical interludes of nostalgic orchestration sprinkle childish blessings across the luminous bars. Wisps of harp decorate a sultry bass-line to the feels of Fleetwood Mac's Albatross. Sunny and secluded scenes of sonic clarity take us on cloud-top journeys through oceanic contours. This Jackmate's Special Interest Dub version of Rerun by Jackmate and Nik Reiff really does stand on its own.


We get to hear from the man himself as Ripperton takes the final slot on the first record. Indian Tree takes us into the seductive realms of slow dance and late night lights. Euphoric synths draw out shining lines across a sustain sky while rapturous rhythms align layers and pressure points within the harmonics of the track. Relaxing grooves encourage a reclining listening position, unless the music is being played in the club, when its wind-down quality undoubtedly prepares a room for something momentous.


As we enter the world of disk two in the double EP set, we're hit full on by another pounding house beat. This time with a little more juice and a persistent sense of strictness. The rhythm pushes on, uninhibited until a slight interjection of bass causes it to drop. New sonics are smoothed over in a sweet and fluffy film before the pounding tempo is revisited. Extra dimensions to the forward thrust of percussion are added, layers of timing and rhythmic shunts offer ever deeper digs into the groove. Signs of the Sun by DJ Nature throws us head-first into a vibrant festivity of beats.


Mary Yalex comes next with an introspective melody. It's soon matched by glistening hats which smash their way through a thin border of reality and dream. How U Really Feel begins to warble and spin on a fast approaching axis. Then, as the dust settles, a plucked and tapped bass note stitches through in an abstract timing. Eerie and ghostly sounds sway from side to side as the hypnotic beats continue to lay down their inward paths.


Next is a spectral melody that radiates in many opalescent directions. Spanning the cosmos with ambient clarity, a sudden surge of rhythm strikes down a catching vibe. We ride along a synth pulse which takes us on a side-stepping journey into further realms. Blips and beats combine along futuristic chords to give us a clear view of the future world swiftly approaching. Crowdpleaser brings us Claire, she sounds lovely, exciting, and full of energy. Effervescent composition gives buoyancy to the circular rhythms that marvel at the optimism wrapped in notes.


Iron Curtis finishes the record with a track called Werc Werc Werc. This Andy Hart mix takes the track down to a minimal beat introduction that gradually branches out with more percussive elements. Scratching static sounds underpin the repeating drum-lines before a new mirage like synth tone leaks from cracks in the ground. Subtle climbs in percussion and atmosphere give way to ever increasing pressures built from layers of drum and harmonising waves. Tranquil and full of character, this closing number sits carefree on the end of an invigorating selection of tracks.  


Catch up with Tamed Musiq on Resident Advisor 


​And find Ripperton on Soundcloud

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