The Hakuna Kulala imprint continue to drop some serious sonic vibrations from the East African and Congolese underground. Last year, we focused on releases from Don Zilla, Biga Yut, and the prolific mercurial beatmaker, Slikback. Now we’re zoning in on Afrorack’s self-titled album of analogue trickery. And, it’s a wonder his synth sorcery exists at all, as this is a feat of skilled budgeting and untethered innovation.
Brian Bamanya a.k.a. Afrorack, is a Ugandan producer and synth builder, who due to the scarcity and prohibitive costs of the components to create his craft, acquired the diagrams and knowledge to build his own wall of modular delights. And, what did he call it? Yes, you guessed it, the Afrorack. And, this album is a bold and unpredictable, avant-dance gem.
What is it about this label? Those familiar with its roster will recognise the exploration of regional rhythms jostling for elbow room with gqom and trap, but this isn’t an exercise in genre spotting: we’re being propelled into one of the most exciting developments in club culture for many years.
