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Music

This Djuma Soundsystem Remix by Johnny Aux Is a Journey Into Darkness

A moody techno take on this African-inspired tune for Crosstown Rebels.
Photo courtesy the artist.

Most African-indebted electronic music is fueled by little more than some heavy conga samples. The latest release by Norwegian producer Djuma Soundsystem and Danish sound artist Yann Coppier on Damian Lazarus' increasingly globe-trotting Crosstown Rebels label, however, digs a little deeper. "Anyimu" features vocals from Ghanaian vocalist King Ayisoba, whose take on kologo music has made him an international sensation. The music also transcends typical 4/4 appropriation, utilizing a traditional 1-3 rhythm and dark-yet-delicate sound design that captures the spirit of the music in the same way Basic Channel's work with Tikiman reconfigured Caribbean dub for European electronic ears.

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The remix by mysterious London producer Johnny Aux, whose recent remix of Shit Robot's "Where It's At" landed on compilations like Jesse Rose's Fabriclive85 mix and Richie Hawtin's Enter.Ibiza.2015 set, takes all these elements and moves them into shadowy techno territory, not unlike the moodier cousin of Trentemøller's 2003 remix of Djuma's first release, "Les Djinns." It's easy to envision this version entrancing dancers in tropical climates from Ibiza to Lazarus' recent foray into throwing parties in the Mexican jungle.

This track, and three other versions of "Anyimu," will be out on an 12" of the same name on Crosstown Rebels next week, but it's available for pre-order now. Listen here.

Most African-indebted electronic music is fueled by little more than some heavy conga samples. The latest release by Norwegian producer Djuma Soundsystem and Danish sound artist Yann Coppier on Damian Lazarus' increasingly globe-trotting Crosstown Rebels label, however, digs a little deeper. "Anyimu" features vocals from Ghanaian vocalist King Ayisoba, whose take on kologo music has made him an international sensation. The music also transcends typical 4/4 appropriation, utilizing a traditional 1-3 rhythm and dark-yet-delicate sound design that captures the spirit of the music in the same way Basic Channel's work with Tikiman reconfigured Caribbean dub for European electronic ears.

The remix by mysterious London producer Johnny Aux, whose recent remix of Shit Robot's "Where It's At" landed on compilations like Jesse Rose's Fabriclive85 mix and Richie Hawtin's Enter.Ibiza.2015 set, takes all these elements and moves them into shadowy techno territory, not unlike the moodier cousin of Trentemøller's 2003 remix of Djuma's first release, "Les Djinns." It's easy to envision this version entrancing dancers in tropical climates from Ibiza to Lazarus' recent foray into throwing parties in the Mexican jungle.

This track, and three other versions of "Anyimu," will be out on an 12" of the same name on Crosstown Rebels next week, but it's available for pre-order now. Listen here.