Catchy, accessible yet with a tartness to tantalize the most sophisticated palate, Wander pays out escalating returns with each new listen.
[Release page] This masterful debut long-player by DeWalta (born David Koch) heaves itself above the usual tremor of tech house with liquid sensuality, mantric melodies and juicy beats just bursting with flavour. It has a layered depth which lends electronic impulses acoustic tactility, likely the result of years studying studio technology and early and continued exposure to classical American jazz, first at the knee of his music journalist grandfather, then conservatory studies in Berlin.
Catchy, accessible yet with a tartness to tantalize the most sophisticated palate, Wander pays out escalating returns with each new listen. A basic beat up front keeps time but inventive percussive effects snake through each track, locating the devil in the details—wriggling analogue synths, tuneful keyboards, random conversation and churchy exhortation, and fat, sweaty bass.
After a flying start with “Eagle,” “Keep On” features an almost atonal piano riff going round and round which perfectly offsets the encouraging vocals of jazz singer Judith Ahrends. Real bass played by schoolmate Achim Hilgert and terpsichorean Rhodes electrifies ”Right Here.” ”Barksdale (Movin On)” opens promisingly with a doodle identical to the memorable melody running through Robert Palmer’s ”Johnny and Mary,” but the track is hijacked by a rapper who hasn’t heard a cliché out of Brooklyn he wouldn’t repeat. But don’t go, there’s more; after this, the record gets even better. Koch really loosens his tie and wades into the crowd with the sweet shakin’ soul of “The Hawk” and nicotine-stained, spilled-drink extended outro “Machine Soul.”
Eight-odd years ago, a precocious Swede named Hird appeared with an album called Movin On, providing a similar thrill with similar credentials, production values and jazz-inflected electronic dance music. Different, but with a distinct family resemblance. Critics hailed the album and he was never heard from again. DeWalta’s Wander shows off a talent equal if not greater; he knows sound and he not only knows his jazz but obviously loves playing it. Hope it won’t be déjà vu all over again, with DeWalta movin on without a trace, because we need to hear more of this.
Wander is available on Haunt Music. [Release page]
