by Daniel Harris
Respect. Everyone works for it. Everyone feels they deserve it, especially in music. However, respect isn't an entitlement nor is it always a guarantee. For London-based producer and DJ Eric Lau, respect is somewhat demanded.
This isn't arbitrary fan talk. When you've worked with the likes of Erykah Badu, Questlove, Chris Dave and Lupe Fiasco, (to name just a few) you've earned a certain level of respect. When a producer like 9th Wonder calls you "dopeness" or when a musician like Dam Funk says, "...he's in my top 5 artist I'm feeling right now," respect becomes demanded.
Eric Lau's style is an artful amalgamation of equal parts Hip Hop, Soul and R&B. His sound blends an array of programmed tones masterfully with live instrumentation. His breakout album "New Territories" was nominated for Gile Peterson's Top Album of 2008, helping to establish Eric Lau as a leader of a progressive, new production talent.
Rightfully so, "New Territories" features the classic "boom bap" of Hip Hop woven perfectly with soul and R&B. Featuring artists like Sarina Leah, Tawiah and Tosin Tao seemed to be hand picked for their ability to bring Eric Lau's production to further life.
2011 saw the release of "Quadrivium." An instrumental offering, Lau's simplistic production is perfect for just vibing out. In the true sense of the word, "Quadrivium" is an ode to both the artistic and mathematical natures of music. Four and eight count measures are layered with melodic rhodes, soulful guitars and deep bass. It makes you wonder why other producers don't follow suit.
Eric's 2013 release, "One of Many," perfectly blends elements from his two previous albums (artistic and mathematical beats, hand picked talents and all around good vibe) to produce another near classic album. Receiving help from noted artists like Georgia Anne Muldrow and Oddisee helped to widen the perspective all while remaining within Lau's lane.
What is most impressive about Eric Lau is his ability to maintain his unique sound, whether for his own work or works with artists like Hawk House, in a time where music production seems to be focused on what's hot and profitable. His approach is one that shows deep appreciation not just for the genres or sound but for the cultures that are often deeply rooted within those genres. Respect!
Get even more familiar with Eric Lau by liking his Facebook page and following him on Twitter. Check out Eric Lau's new track "Harmonics" and be on the look out for new music in 2015.
0 comments:
Post a Comment