by Various
"Taking us through sonic spectrums of the future Wondercore Island Mixtape #1 is an excursion into a new wave of young producers, musicians and bands in Australia. Exploring Jazz, Neo-Soul, Broken Beats and electronica. the 21 artists present on this extensive release are all based in Australia the majority of whom are living in Melbourne.
Originating out of a ‘family’ of local beatmakers and musicians in the Melbourne beats and neo-soul scene Wondercore Island is a new boutique management, PR and events company spearheaded by Si Jay Gould. It specialises in broadening horizons for local artists by developing international platforms and vice versa providing local platforms for touring international artists.
This first mixtape acts as an introduction for most of us to its eclectic artist roster as well as the friends whom it supports. Some familiar names appear on the release including locals Kirkis, Silent Jay and Hiatus Kaiyote who are respectively making their mark both locally an internationally as well as Oisima an established beats producer from Adelaide and an excellent drum fuelled collaboration between Airileke and Dizz1.
An act to watch comprised of Jamil Alexandros Zacharia and Alejandro Abapo (Silent Jay) is a double drummer live project with beautiful beats influenced composition featuring Jamil on Guitar.
Bendaur and Clever Austin, members of Hiatus Kaiyote’s rhythm section also feature on the Release with under their solo monikers in dusty sample laden electronica.
Most of the other interstate guests appearing on Mixtape #1 (Laneuos, The Family Yah, MKO and Georgia Potter) are from the west end in Brisbane and collectively and informally fall under the banner of the ‘Vulture Street Tape Gang’ which came about whilst experimenting together recording onto tape. The Family Yah, MKO and Georgie Potter give us vocal oriented Electronic soul cuts whilst Superfeather provides a 7min psychedelic Jazz Fusion workout reminiscent of Weather Report.
With such talent present on the release you will find yourself asking why you haven’t heard these names before. Let’s hope that Wondercore island changes that!
by Edd Fisher - Tomorrowland
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