Haris Pilton’s New Album: A Masterclass in Balkan-Infused Cosmic Dub

 Haris Pilton - Gipsy & Balkan Dub (album review)

I have been following Haris Pilton’s work for a long time. For Afro-Soul Sound, it has always been essential to feature the dub music of our region in our sets, so the Ljubljana-based producer's bass-heavy world is already well-known to our community. Those who know me are aware that while I don't shy away from a heavy stepper, I’ve always been a devoted advocate for the new, fusion-based, "armchair-soaking" cosmic dub. The producer’s new album delivers exactly that: the deep bass-world of dub meets the hypnotic pulse of Balkan Romani music, topped off by soothing, authentic vocal melodies.

The collaborators deserve a mention as well. German-born Dunkelbunt might sound familiar to those who follow Echo Beach releases; currently working from his Vienna studio, he conquers the hearts of dub lovers with electronic fusions, blending Romani jazz with electronics. It’s no surprise that Kali Fat Dub is a recurring name here, as Haris Pilton is the musical brain behind that project. While Kali Fat Dub laid the foundations for a "harder," almost ethno-punk-dub line, in this album, we hear more of the magic of the ethno-flute. This same ethno-dub vibe is strengthened by Ay-Kherel, the Tuvan (Siberian) throat singer. This is where we return to Pilton’s experimental side, which truly sets him apart from other dub producers.

To cut a long story short: this is true World Music. As I often heard back in the day on the "Cigánysor" (Romani streetside) of a small village in Western Transdanubia: "Don’t look at the colors!" Although, I must add, the cover art is absolutely stunning. I can feel the touch of AI on it, just as I do throughout the entire album, but it doesn't bother me. I personally enjoy using AI for creating images, and I don't believe it's "from the Devla" (the Devil/God). Haris Pilton has been wearing down the stages of Europe and the world for over 20 years, proving he was and is a professional long before AI. By utilizing AI now, he is simply fulfilling his artistic vision and completing a kind of ethno-futuristic dub world. AI is only a tool not the goal.

You can purchase the album on Bandcamp. Also, exactly one week from now, on Friday (March 20th), I’ll be playing several tracks not only from this release but other gems too.

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