Ape Records Vol. 1
Ape, 2016
8/10
The Ape label got things started off right with this first EP, where 3 artists contribute both a recorded and live version of a song, where the spirit of label founders Tamir Muskat and Eyal Gruenberg is represented in the worldwide sounds present.
Marina Maximillian starts the EP with “My Boy”, as the Israeli songstress offers her inimitable vocals on a dance friendly and pop filled opener that’s also hip-hop tinted, and later on the same song shows up again in a live setting where the energy is contagious and memorable.
Loco Hot, featuring A-WA, follows with “I’m A Tribe”, as the duo mesh hip-hop and electronica with A-WA’s Yemen influenced vocals adding much to the cultured EP highlight. This song also appears later in a live setting, where the vocals integrate fluidly alongside the exciting musicianship.
The last tune, Renno’s “Perfect Is Dead”, is a beat friendly and playful finish where backing female vocals and electronic flourishes add much to both the recorded and live version, as the frontman for Izabo even plays a violin he built himself.
Each track here has its own accompanying video, as these first 3 singles from the label (Ape doesn’t release albums, just singles), hint at much more greatness in the future.
Travels well with: Marina Maximillian- Step Into My World; Taiwan MC- Special Request