Tonal Unity / South Korea / 2019
(MINT/ VG+) Small bump & crease top of cover.
The inaugural release on Tonal Unity is a modern take on Korean traditional sounds, presented here as the first in a series of 3 EPs. The raw and ancient sounds of Korea are interpreted by a cross-cultural selection of artists, each seeing them through their own cosmic prisms. Sit back, relax, and put a fresh cone in your incense burner for a trip to the hills in the land of morning calm.
El Búho is a founder of the Shika Shika collective, a leading label in organic downbeat. He has released on Wonderwheel, Sol Selectas, Pingipung, and more. His track brings his signature South American shuffle with a Korean twist, focusing on the beautiful sound of the gayageum.
Unjin is a leader of the Korean techno scene. Founder of the ECI label and Club Vurt, Unjin has been performing and releasing music since the mid-90s. His collaboration with Sunji sees the two exploring more ambient and cosmic territories with a live hardware setup. Their tune is a meditative ambient trip into beatless dancefloor territory.
Prabumi is a rising star of the Indonesian dance scene. Known for fusing downbeat and cosmic house with Indonesian elements, his track here puts the focus on Korea, utilizing an array of traditional instruments and vocals in an epic slow-house chugger.
Hailing from Brasilia, Kurup is a leading figure in global downbeat. He has released on labels like Drossel, AYA, and Shango, and has performed at boundary-pushing festivals and venues like Voodoohop, Garbicz, and Kater Blau. Here he takes us on a deep shamanic trip into a middle-world between past and present, evoking a nostalgic deja-vú that might make you smile when asked “Where are you from?”
Osakadelic sensei Ground is an accomplished surfer of cosmic frequencies, and one of the most unique and prolific artists in electronic music today. Founder of the Chill Mountain label and festival in Osaka, he has also released on ESP Institute, Multi Culti, SVS and more. “Monotriber” sees Ground leading us in a twisted stomp around a midnight fire, a visionary herbal remedy to thinking in straight lines.
“6=2+4” is a 2 for 1 deal: a duo comprising Seoul producers Mang Esilo & R2MP. Both active in the Korean electronic scene for many years, this duo benefits from 1+1 perspectives. Mang is the in-house engineer and sound sourcerer at Glad Studio, and R2MP is a multidisciplinary artist who has lived and practiced with Buddhist monks. Together they present this tune, an homage to Mang’s beloved dog Jinsoon, whose spirit will more easily pass into its next life thanks to the monk’s chant.