Gilles Peterson has partnered with Jean-Paul ?Bluey? Maunick to reinvigorate the loose, protean energy of the early-80s Brit-funk scene. Long-time friends and collaborators, STR4TA sees them mine new musical possibilities out of that shared formative era. It was through Maunick?s band, Incognito ? one of the essential groups of an oft-overlooked, vital pocket of Black British musical history ? that they first connected. On ?Aspects?, he and Peterson revisit that important period and the spirit that guided it: self-taught, DIY vitality, and a raucous energy built on live performance.
Bringing a fresh slant to a sound first developed by groups like Atmosfear, Hi-Tension, Light of the World and Freeez ? with Maunick, it should be noted, also a member of the latter two bands ? it?s the first material that Maunick and Peterson have released together in over a decade. First appearing in October 2020 with single ?Aspects?, the pair didn?t make public that they were behind the project; the limited edition 12? quickly sold out nonetheless, and the track received radio play from Moses Boyd (BBC Radio 6 Music), on KEXP and KCRW, and from Francois K (Worldwide FM), Trevor Jackson (NTS) and Colin Curtis (Worldwide FM).
Brownswood released Aspects on Fri Mar 26 2021. The 8 track Disco release features Str4ta.
Brownswood has also released vinyl by Your Brother's Keeper, Gary Bartz, Kokoroko, Mayra Caridad Valdez, and Gilles Peterson's Havana Cultura Band. Browse the Brownswood catalogue.
