- An inspired rhythmic exchange between Cologne, Detroit and Saint Louis, Senegal.
- Looking over Viola Klein's discography, one can't help but think of Mark Ernestus. Like the Basic Channel legend, the Cologne artist is tapped into a rhythmic continuum that runs through Germany, Detroit and Senegal. Just as Ernestus has attempted to foreground the black artists from these locales over the course of his career, so, too, does Klein. Her practice of cultural exchange reaches new heights on We, a split with the Detroit producer Julion De'Angelo.
De'Angelo, an emerging artist from the Sound Signature circle, makes chunky, atmospheric deep house with the unmistakable influence of Theo Parrish. Here, he uses Florent Kandety's vocal from Klein's 2018 track "N'aie Pas Peur" as the basis for two raw and idiosyncratic house tracks. The stately piano on "Don't Be Scurred" puts it near the level of Detroit classics like Parrish's "Falling Up."
In 2017, Klein worked with the Detroit house producer Whodat and Senegalese sabar drummers Abdou Aziz, Abdoukhadre and Adramé Diop for a record called Exchange. On that one, the drummers slowed their typical tempos to deep house standards. This time around, Klein and Whodat keep up with the hectic Mbalax rhythms. "Part One" and "Another Part" pair radio drama organs with mellifluous hand drums. "Part Two," the only track featuring Whodat, is the clear highlight. We hear styles from all three cities—Mike Ink-style rave, irrepressible Mbalax and soulful Detroit piano house—working together for the advancement of rhythm and sound.
Tracklist01. N'aie pas peur (Exchange Mix)
02. Don't Be Scurred
03. We (Part One)
04. We (Part Two) feat. Whodat
05. We (Another Part)