Eccodek

Eccodek - Free Download - Behind the Mask Buy on itunes

A few years ago I was sent the first release from Guelph's Eccodek by his manager Ian Menzies. Ian's been a champion on the global scene for many years now as someone who has worked on the label side of things as well as in management and as a DJ. If he tells me he thinks I'm going to like something, he's generally right and world/dub/electronic producer Andrew McPherson aka Eccodek was no exception. Eccodek's music has only grown deeper and more lovely since I heard that early CD and he's just released a fine new album through White Swan Records who have been kind enough to give us a track to share with you today.

Shivaboom is the third chapter in the still-unfolding, cross-cultural story of Canadian sonic sculptorEccodek (aka Andrew McPherson). Increasingly recognized for his lush, aural panoramas steeped in dubwise bass, driving grooves and soaring melodies, Eccodekhas become a potent and sought-after voice on the global dubscene, joining the rarefied ranks of such musical alchemists as Cheb i Sabbah and Gaudi. Shivaboom’s nine tracks reflect the newest facet of Eccodek’smusical persona: the DJ (the album borrows its title from thename of Eccodek’s monthly DJ residency in his Guelph, Ontariohome). While as a multi-instrumentalist McPherson remainsdeeply committed to the organic process of writing andcollaborating with fellow artists, in his new guise as DJ he keepsa careful eye on the dance floor, where the proper alchemy ofelectronica and global sounds can move the room in powerful new ways.Bringing Eccodek’s potent brew of bone rattling bass, hypnotic grooves and soaring, exotic melodies tolife are Mali’s Mansa Sissoko and Jah Youssouf, who also provide stunning instrumental support onkora and ngoni; the seductive and beguiling voices of Juno-winning ghazal singer Kiran Ahluwalia andTurkish songstress Meral Mert; and the mesmerizing talent of Indo/Canadian classical singer, Onkar Singh. Through his own records as well as recent remixes for the likes of Vieux Farka Touré and Turkey’s Doublemoon Records, as a featured artist on the world renowned global chill series, Buddha Bar, or as the only Canadian contributor to National Geographic’s GeoRemix Project, Eccodek has forged asound for our modern, culturally diverse times – an accomplishment reflected by his receiving 2007’s Canadian Music Award for Favourite World Artist. Like its predecessors More Africa In Us (2005) and Voices Have Eyes (2007), Eccodek’s Shivaboomechoes the ancient past while keeping a conscious, culturally inclusive eye to the future – furthering aglobal dub journey that takes cultural authenticity over the cutting edge.