With Kämmer's "Weskus" EP we're happy to present the release we've been most anticipating this year. When Kämmer returned from a trip along the South African west coast in February he felt inspired to create music that in a certain way reflects the good time he had there. And that's how this EP came about which features three tracks – and none of them is Afro House, the one genre that South Africa is probably best known for. Kämmer is not a specialist for Afro House, so he made something else. What was important to him was to create a vibe that runs like a common thread through the EP. It's a release full of positive feelings and summery moments. In some moments you can literally hear the waves and feel the salty breeze. However, these tracks – as beautiful as they are – still have enough power to heat up on the dance floor.
The opening track "Koeksister" is named after a local sweet dessert that is very tasty and popular with the Cape Malay community. It's fried dough infused in syrup or honey. The journey starts in a local eatery, before a heavy four-to-the-floor beat takes center stage. Happy chords, strings, timbale fills and a steel drum almost exude Caribbean lightness. The track is quite short and ends differently than you might expect.
The second track "Weskus" is the beating heart of the EP. For a long time Kämmer has carried the idea to make a track that blends two genres he likes a lot – Amapiano and Gqom, two truly South African inventions – with his trademark House sound. The result now is a hybrid. At 122 bpm faster than Amapiano, but almost the tempo of Gqom. With the typical vocal chops, offbeat synth, complex rhythm work and the log drum there are all the ingredients that characterize these styles. Kämmer adds some synths in the background that tell of the longing for the sea. And he introduces a classic House piano in the break that appears somehow unexpected but adds nicely to the vibe.
The last track then, "Bokkom", is named after a local dried fish snack that is produced in the small city of Velddrif. It's the track with the most elements that all complement each other very well. There's a broken beat that provides the foundation together with the bass line for a blend of atmospheric drone and strings, piano, dub chords, guitar and vocal chops that drag you deep into a complex sound landscape. What you might expect the least is a 90s-style Trance Gate rave synth, but it's exactly that one that gives the track its unique character. "Bokkom" is a little masterpiece.
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released July 26, 2024
Written and produced by Lars Kemnitz.
[1] and [3] mastered by Sam John at Precise, UK. [2] mastered by Qant in France.
On the occasion of the release of "Weskus" we offer a super limited edition of black 12" vinyl. Cut by hand by duophonic in Germany. Each one comes with a printed cover artwork and a white soft inner sleeve made out of high-quality fleece. These are all hand-numbered and signed. First come, first serve – until stocks lasts. If you're interested, please write us a message:
