Friends and Fam

Album review

The latest from Drum’n’Bass and UK Garage master DJ Zinc is a fun, head bopping album. With an impressive list of featured artists, Friends and Fam scratches the itch we have for fresh underground dance tunes. Therapy opens the record with spitfire breakbeats, icy kick drums and a groovy Korg M1 organ bassline. Charlotte Haining provides the vocals, offering a soulful classic house inspired performance. Through It All could arguably be the album’s single; a strong yet pensive track that is carried by Maverick Sabre’s signature vocals. Overall, the production is strong, but things get a bit too sweet in the high end on the Hi-hat and brass parts. However, the song’s low mixed bass compensates for this, maintaining the track’s tonal balance throughout. The mangled time stretched percussion is also a nice touch! The rave-y Lights Out is an ode to the dirty UK club scene, providing danceable grooves, an unforgettable vocal line and a strong main lead. Out of Control offers an interesting take on Caribbean steel drums. The iconic island instrument is sampled and re-sequenced into an infectious motif that plays throughout the track at different octaves. Kudu Blue adds her catchy pop infused vocals to the ensemble. The duality between the unusual instrumental and the sleek vocals creates an exciting, finished product that would work as well in a grimy club as it does on your morning commute. Bravo Dj Zinc, you can be proud of this one! ©Tom Oscar Adams/Qobuz