Globetrotting Texan trio Khruangbin are set to release Hasta El Cielo, the bands glorious dub version of their second album ‘Con Todo El Mundo. The full album has been processed anew along with two bonus dubs by renowned Jamaican producer Scientist.
The bands exotic, spacious, psychedelic funk aligns with the dub treatment particularly well. Indeed, keen fans wont find this a surprising release. Dubs of tracks from their first album The Universe Smiles Upon You appeared on limited vinyl releases of People Everywhere’ for Record Store Day 2016 and Zionsville’ on the BoogieFuturo remix 12”. The especially eagle-eared will have caught a dub of Two Fish And An Elephant’ playing over the credits of the track’s celebrated video.
“For us, Dub has always felt like a prayer. Spacious, meditative, able to transport the listener to another realm. The first dub albums we listened to were records mixed by Scientist featuring the music of the Roots Radics. Laura Lee learned to play bass by listening to Scientist Wins the World Cup. His unique mixing style, with the emphasis on space and texture, creates the feeling of frozen time; it was hugely influential to us as a band. To be able to work alongside Scientist, a legend in the history of dub, is an honor. This is our dub version of Con Todo El Mundo.”
- Khruangbin
Formed of Laura Lee on bass, Mark Speer on guitar, and Donald “DJ” Johnson on drums; Khruangbins sounds are rooted in the deepest waters of music from around the world, infused with classic soul, dub and psychedelia. Their 2015 debut album ‘The Universe Smiles Upon You was heavily influenced by 60’s and 70’s Thai cassettes the band listened to on their long car journeys to rehearsal in the Texan countryside. 2018s follow up ‘Con Todo El Mundo’, which received hugely positive critical reactions and radio play around the world, took inspiration not just from South East Asia but similarly underdiscovered funk and soul of the Mediterranean and the Middle East, particularly Iran.
Since the albums release, the band have continued their almost non-stop approach to touring, playing over 130 dates in 2018 alone. They return to the UK this summer for festival shows at Green Man, Latitude, Mostly Jazz, Funk & Soul Festival and Barclaycard British Summer Time.
Press for Con Todo El Mundo
“A delicate collection that welcomes you back into their magical world” Mojo ★★★★
“Exotic funk and future crate-digger gems” Uncut 8/10
“Groovy global sounds” NME ★★★★
“A record not only rich in beautiful psychedelic colour, by extension, it celebrates international culture and unity” The Line Of Best Fit 8.5/10
“Fresh, exciting and uniquely life-affirming” Clash 9/10
“A celebration of what shared creativity and influence can bring” The Skinny ★★★★
“A holiday in your headphones” Q Magazine ★★★
“There’s a lot to love about a band that can make such complex manoeuvres sound so effortless and simple” Electronic Sound Magazine
“The entrancing bass-heavy melodies from their debut, injected with a touch more funk” GQ
“Their second album does an excellent job of reminding you why you loved the first without feeling like already trodden ground” Esquire
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