Sam Redmore – Modulate (Jalapeno Records, 2024)
Sam Redmore, who garnered a dedicated following with his inventive remixes, made a splash in 2022 with his debut album, Universal Vibrations. Known for its energetic and eclectic global grooves, the album quickly gained traction on UK dancefloors and earned heavy support on BBC 6 Music.
With his second album, Modulate, Redmore refines and expands on the influences that fueled his debut. Describing his growth, Redmore reflects, “For Universal Vibrations, I wondered if I could create an album’s worth of original compositions. With Modulate, the process evolved into asking, ‘How would I like to do this?’” This shift in approach allowed Redmore to enjoy a more confident, relaxed creative process.
Modulate builds on his flavorful signature style, a boldly inventive amalgamation of electronic and live instrumentation with diverse sounds spanning house, disco, funk, and Afro-rooted music like Afrobeat, cumbia, salsa, and samba. The integration of a live band was pivotal, as Redmore adapted tracks in response to real-time audience energy over the past year.
Key collaborations on Modulate highlight the album’s cultural reach and emotional depth. Afrobeat icon Dele Sosimi lends his voice to the track “Home,” imbuing it with a message of hope. Redmore notes, “Dele’s vocal recording took the music to a new emotional level, blending a sense of uplift with profound depth.”
Canadian MC Abdominal joins to tackle the timely issue of climate change, bringing his distinctive voice and lyrics to the fore. Returning from Universal Vibrations, vocalist Lumi HD delivers several standout moments, showcasing her underrecognized yet undeniable talent.
Buy Modulate.
Author: Iliana Cabrera
