Cosmic Bridge Records welcomes J:Kenzo for a double dose of jungle nostalgia viewed through the lens of its recent renaissance.
On ’Skatta’ b/w ‘Alight’, the British producer returns to the sound he first embraced as a teenager by infusing the basics of jungle — cut up breaks, layered pads, and vocal samples from the never-ending trove of Jamaica’s music history — with modern techniques and a healthy dose of low end.
The A-side beings with a throwback, uplifting intro that promptly fades into a tough dancehall-inspired rhythm flourished with shards of breakbeats, catchy chants, and sirens echoing into the darkest corners of the club. J:Kenzo keeps the energy high with scatterings of percussion that play against the distinct bass line melodies. Flip over and watch him set the dance alight with a subtle exercise in junglistic rollage, four minutes of uncompromising break extravagance, tight edits, and pulsing bass that take no prisoners. J:Kenzo treats the classic sound with a reverent approach without being afraid to twist it up. “This release is my ode to 1990s jungle,” he admits.
