Walking Through

The most frustrating thing about the Interchill label is its seeming inability to release albums more frequently than about once a year. Those releases are always worth the wait though, and this one is more worthwhile than most. Billed as "a downtempo fusion of cutting-edge beats, organic electronica and diverse sounds and vocals from Hawaii, India, the Middle East and Europe," Walking Through is basically another solo project by young multi-instrumentalist and producer Seb Taylor, who has also recorded under the names Digitalis and Shakta and performs as half of the duo Angel Tears. This is his first full-length album under the Kaya Project moniker, but he has placed tracks on several compilations prior to this release and is already working on a second Kaya Project album. There's nothing here that will really take fans of East-West dance fusion by surprise — those familiar with Dhol Foundation, late-period Material or the gentler side of Asian Dub Foundation will know more or less what to expect — but Taylor blends his multicultural elements more felicitously than most, and creates pastiches of startling loveliness and textural complexity. Highlights include the slightly creepy "Kanzaman Breaks" (with its subtle hints of Catherine Wheel-era David Byrne) and the splendid "Tribal Shift" (with its not-so-subtle hints of African Head Charge) , as well as the gentle, almost ambient "Rise Above." But the album's climax comes on the fifth track, a stunningly beautiful song called "Twin Soul." All of the best aspects of Taylor's work come together on this song, which is sung in Arabic by his partner Natasha Chamberlain. Very strongly recommended.