The British jazz resurgence of the previous decade has produced loads of stay expertise, but the manufacturing duo Blue Lab Beats have been simply as prolific within the studio. Since their 2018 debut XOver, producer NK-OK (Namali Kwaten) and multi-instrumentalist Mr DM (David Mrakpor) have now launched three extra albums, in addition to contributing to manufacturing on Angélique Kidjo’s Grammy-winning 2021 Mom Nature album and rapper Kojey Radical’s Mercury-nominated 2022 debut Causes to Smile.
Their work is a slick mix of head-nodding hip-hop beats, neo-soul melodies and glimmers of jazz improvisation. On Blue Eclipse, Blue Lab Beats current the fullest realisation of their distinctive sound. Highlights embrace Say Wow, which pits rapper Jay Prince’s vocals in opposition to a kinetic mid-tempo bassline, whereas Guava artfully blends snapping digital drum programming with highlife guitars and celebratory horn fanfares. The title observe, in the meantime, sees trumpeter Poppy Daniels soar over an intricate and propulsive electro-jazz fusion.
The general sound could appear too polished and cautious of explosive emotion, nevertheless it’s nonetheless a constant and assured basis – one primed to launch Blue Lab Beats into the highlight as formidable producers and performers.
