Bastard Jazz is proud to present the debut EP from Brussels based production duo Eric P & LuiGi aka MonkeyRobot. Their trademark: exploring the boundaries of soulful music between 90 and 120 bpm. Catching eyes and ears worldwide through their work as 74 Miles Away (Melting Pot Music), and Hip-Hop production under the moniker Infinitskills, alongside radio play from Gilles Peterson, Lefto, Anthony Valadez (KCRW) & Kev Beadle and Tall Black Guy, who selected their standout “Basement Infusion” track to be on his Tempo Dreams compilation album (released in June on Bastard Jazz), and alliance between the label and M.R. seemed natural.
Here on their self-titled 12”, MonkeyRobot deliver four diverse tracks that showcase their skills behind the boards, the MPC and the keys, with a keen ear for the dancefloor. Kicking things off, “Brick Stomach” is a synth-heavy four-to-the-floor 120 BPM joint that comes off like a Floating Points visit back in time to 1980’s Detroit with it’s rolling snares, arpeggiating synth bassline and cloudy pads. Next Up, “Northern Light” filters shimmering space disco vibes through big, thumping instrumental Hip-Hop drums and moody analog bass. On the flip, “Rosè Gris” takes things in a funkier direction at 100BPM with it’s syncopated drums, irresistible lead, squelching bassline and all manner of synthesizer explorations. Rounding off the EP is “Last Days”, which still manages to inject a funky 80’s analog sound into it’s melancholy downtempo vibes. This is a seriously strong debut from a truly musically talented duo – keep your eyes open for more!