The bond between the West Indies and United Kingdom tightens through Jus Now’s mutual passion for drum culture. Master percussionist/Trinidadian producer LAZAbeam and British DJ/producer Sam Interface of Jus Now, who made an impact last year with their Cyah Help It EP, dive deeper into their library of sounds and artist collaborations for this follow-up Alone EP. The four-track opus will be released on June 17th, 2016 on the New York-based label, Feel Up Records. Fans can pre-order now via iTunes.

Taking inspiration from the rich history of drumming around the world, Jus Now samples and records various type drums such as djembe (West Africa) and tassa (Indo-Trinidadian) to craft the organic feel of Alone’s fusion of dancehall with electronic music. A tropical tone is first established on “Amazon.” The track’s keys (by Venezuelan Simon Mendoza), woodwind flutes and log drums are fueled by human energy typically seen in small drum circles to large Carnival processions.

The palette of instruments expands on the title track; the pan flute leads the melody complemented by vocals from Tobago artist Chalmer John. “Laventille,” arguably the EP’s crown jewel, hypnotizes with the addictive steel pan and a galloping soca rhythm. The name of the aforementioned track pays homage to the Laventille Rhythm Section, Trinidad and Tobago’s 23-year-old premiere drum troupe which played on the record. Keeping true to Jus Now’s honor and preservation of musical history, this year they teamed up with Indigisounds to create the Laventille Rhythm Section Sample Library, that makes Laventille’s instruments digitally accessible to other producers. “Y.E.A.H.” ends the album on a high note, literally and figuratively, in an adrenaline rush of energy, a likely byproduct of Sam Interface’s influence from the Bristol club scene. Joining Jus Now on “Y.E.A.H.” is London-based producer, T. Williams who co-produced the track.

2015 was a breakout year for Jus Now when they continued the progression of their musical relationship on their first Feel Up Records release Cyah Help It. The EP featured the Soca Viking Bunji Garlin, UK MC/singer Ms. Dynamite and afrosoca star Olatunji, and earned endorsements from NPR’s Songs We Love and The FADER. Jus Now also produced “Truck On D Road” from Bunji Garlin’s RCA/VP Records debut album, Differentology. This year Jus Now added their approach to tribal house music on T. Williams’ “You Got Me Dub” from his Sodality Vol. 1 EP.

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