A fresh release out of Manchester this summer sees two of the city’s mainstays, Obeka and Left, Right & Centre, team up for the first time ever to pack a fiery punch with a ferocious 6-track EP. Featuring a guest appearance from Bryte as well as a spicy remix from Bitter Babe for good measure, the release is a real statement of intent from the label and producer alike.
Hailing from Bermuda, Obeka makes up one-third of the Me Gusta Collective, an event series championing global sounds in Manchester, bringing world-renowned DJs, producers, and musicians to the UK for truly unique showcases. Obeka draws direct influence from Bermuda with this release, channeling the island’s energy and influence into his production, particularly through the use of percussion and rhythmic qualities that really shine throughout. Contrasting this with the makeup of the city he now resides in, the “Commence” EP uses the disparity between these two environments, alongside his personal connection to both, as the backbone of the music within it.
“Badman Silo” introduces the release with a tension-building, club-ready hit that infuses pitched-up electronic influences with organic percussion sounds and chopped vocals to really set the tone. “Ya Betta” is, however, the highlight, featuring the unmistakable sounds of Bryte, whose call-and-response-type vocals create an invitation for true dance expressionism. The final track features Bitter Babe on the remix of the same track, an artist whose Colombian flair combined with contemporary club styles has put her on the map in recent years. Her contribution here uses that Latin influence alongside Obeka’s Bermudan style for a drum-laden hit ready to destroy dancefloors everywhere.