Youthman Riddim EP
Unit 137 (18 mins)
Sleepy Time Ghost a.k.a. Harry Metcalfe is a London-based producer, and his debut EP, Youthman Riddim, seems to mark him out as one of the rising stars of dub music.
Taking its form from the Jamaican sound system tradition of playing a dubplate riddim (backing track) several times while different deejays lyricise over the top, this EP consists of four tracks all based upon the same riddim.
The first two tracks use the riddim – a real funked-out affair – as is, with deejay Ras Demo and Bristolian sound system Lionpulse contributing a track each. Both of these guests lend their own take on the track, with Ras Demo providing a lighter feel compared to Lionpulse’s rootsier offering; the latter also contains a couple of great trombone and saxophone solos.
For the second two tracks, the riddim is remixed by producers Joe Ariwa and Hylu & Jago. Joe Ariwa, who studied at the feet of the mighty Mad Professor, offers a straight up dub remix of the Youthman Riddim whereas Hylu & Jago take Lionpulse’s version to a place bordering on the realm of drum and bass.
This is a brillant EP with a really authentic feel to it. Each track has its own personality and occupies its own space in the quartet and so it’s difficult to pick one stand out piece….although this reviewer’s personal tastes marginally prefer Joe Ariwa’s remix. That doesn’t matter though – the EP’s concept works completely, and it’ll leave you itching to hear a whole album of the producer’s work.
Keep your ears open for more from Sleepy Time Ghost, but in the meantime, play this LOUD!