Organic Audio Present: Hi-Life

The influence of ethnic sources on dance music has been unavoidable in recent years, with artists as diverse as Oliver Ho and Basement Jaxx using Afro, Latino and even Asian samples to breathe new life into existing forms. While this has made for some inspired music, there has also been quite a lot of aural wallpaper, especially in the house scene. Luckily, it’s a pitfall Organic Audio have avoided here; taking in brassy riffs on Soul Ascendents’ ‘Pachacuti’, infectious carnival vibes on Idjut Boys’ ‘Whoktish’ and organic, percussive breaks from Spacer and Noiseshaper.

This is a quality compilation that never succumbs to musical self-indulgence.