Set for release on March 23, 2010 is Gaudi’s latest record No Prisoners. Before the release even drops, a remix contest has already begun (audio for participation available here)
London based producer and solo artist Gaudi’s latest project, No Prisoners comes to us after a very fertile year in which the renowned artist toured the world, rocking dance floors and gathering fans with his unconventional innovative performance style and irresistibly floor friendly tunes. It was also a year where Gaudi was nominated for a BBC World Music Award for his Six Degrees release, Dub Qawwali (in which he added all new reggae & dub production to rare and previously unreleased tracks by the revered Pakistani vocalist Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan). That album’s success extended Gaudi’s fan base substantially, particularly in America and Canada, reaching #2 on the iTunes World Chart in the US and #1 on Amazon.com’s Electronica charts.
On his previous releases, Gaudi has worked to create his own unique synthesis, using elements of dub, electronica and world music producing tracks that have been mostly down-tempo in nature. No Prisoners is a very different and definitely up-tempo creation. Stylistically its primary energy comes from breakbeat influences underpinned with fat basslines and subtle live world instrumentation such as Oud and tribal percussion. The performances of many fine musicians on the album bring a human touch; with live bass and guitars, percussion, melodica, highland bagpipes and piano amongst others. The electronic elements, as per all of Gaudi’s albums, come from his beloved analogue equipment – vintage synthesizers, tape echoes and moog. The result gives No Prisoners the warmth and authenticity of sound which has become synonymous with Gaudi’s music.
A highly respected line-up of featured guests add their international appeal and individual flavors to the album, amongst them; California’s conscious political lyricist and founder of Spearhead Michael Franti, who lends his emotive voice to “There’s Enough” and long established Brooklyn based reggae artist Dr Israel (of Easy Star All Stars’ “Dub Side of the Moon” fame) who features on “No Time”. Multi-million selling Italian singer-songwriter Elisa brings a feminine edge to “Brainwashed Again” and Jamaican Reggae vocalist Kenny Knots goes deep with the ecclesiastical “Strictly Goodness”. Other notable guests include pioneering down-tempo dub producer Dub Gabriel on “Barracudub”; UK Breakbeat duo Far Too Loud and emerging electro-breaks producer Tom Real; who contribute to “No More Blood” and “Bad Boy Bass” respectively.
No Prisoners as the title suggests, is an album made without concessions, each track uncompromising in the delivery of its sonic payload. It is a fresh and versatile album with the potential to become an original classic.
