Manchester based label Shifting Spheres launch their debut release Spheres of Sound showcasing all female and non-binary talent (including a track from our very own LUNA!) in aid of Roshni Birmingham & UKBP.
Known for holding DJ workshops across Manchester in collaboration with the likes Reform Radio, as well as running a podcast series dedicated to Manchester’s underground scene, Shifting Spheres have quickly built up rapport amongst a number of the city’s collectives including B.L.O.O.M, Not Bad For a Girl and All Hands on Deck.
Now bringing together talent from across the UK, Shifting Spheres launch their label with the collaborative Spheres of Sound: In Support of Roshni & UKBP. The compilation highlights the creativity of womxn within the industry with artwork (courtesy of the talented Grace Biddle), sound engineering and production solely from non-binary and female talents.
“We wanted to tackle an issue that has become heightened during COVID-19, domestic abuse. Roshni are an incredible Birmingham based organisation, empowering BAME women to escape gender-related violence. UK Black Pride fight for LGBTQ people of colour, through community outreach and hardship funds. UKBP are a crucial organisation that align with our belief system, hence why we chose to support them."
Opening up proceedings, Not Bad For a Girl’s DaiSU combines dubby textures with creative sampling methods in ‘Buckwild’, utilising the rhythmic tick of car indicators and robotic bleeps of the microwave. Increasing the tempo, DJ Luz’s ‘Baby in the 90’s’ is a nod towards true rave nostalgia, as the B.L.O.O.M resident’s creation is peppered with bubbling synths and acid lines.
Next, the moody vocals of ‘1d1t’ sit above haunting synth melodies and a punchy, distorted kick in Jazzi Bobbi’s R’n’B creation. Sisu’s Lauryn then employs clean breaks and deep stabs to produce ‘Forgiveness’, a leftfield techno track steered by cool, guiding words. Our gal LUNA's track 'VENTUS' comes through with tantalisingly builds and drops in energy, with constructed looped vocal samples over a delicious bass groove and stimulating breakbeat.
Label co-founder Mystique, takes over with rolling bongo patterns, a bouncing melody and mystical synths in the beautifully eerie ‘Deep Knows No One’ until PETALSINSOUND merges high energy drums with a thumping sub bass line to take the listener on an trance-like journey in ‘Sunlight’. Exuding a retro quality with 8-bit sounds and bright and colourful keys, Pussy Stamina’s ‘We’re Watching You’ gives way to the closing track, where acidic rhythms float above delicate alien-like melodies and a reverberating bass in SCAPA’s ‘Binary’.
Spheres of Sound: In Support of Roshni & UKBP is out digitally on July 20th on Shifting Spheres' Bandcamp. You can also donate directly to Roshni Birmingham HERE and to UK Black Pride HERE.
|| SHIFTING SPHERES || ROSHNI BIRMINGHAM || UK BLACK PRIDE ||