theo parrish & tony allen: day like this/feel loved

Wildheart Recordings is Theo Parrish's new London-based label. 'Sound signature releases for the body, Wildheart is for everything else" is Theo's pithy summary of his two labels' aims and compatibility. 'Day Like This' and 'Feel Loved' are the first fruits of Parrish's work with the legendary Lagosian, Tony Allen. They met initially at the Red Bull Academy in 2007 in Toronto and linked again in 2010 when they spent a couple of days together in London, again courtesy of the RBA. (Their bond was forged further when they participated in the Honest Jon's Chop Up shows in London, France and Ireland at the end of 2011). Final work on the tracks was done in 2012 when Theo brought on board vocalist Eska, Andrew Ashong (following up from Flowers with another stellar contribution here, singing and playing bass), and guitarist David Okumu. 'Day Like This' is masterful modern soul music. At the point where Parrish's synth stabs into Tony's groove beneath a swirl of falsetto vocals, you know it -- this is a big tune. 'Feel Loved' goes deeper and for some will hit harder. An epic sweep of synth this time, around which Tony plays with growing freedom and excitement -- showing again that he is the best drummer on the planet -- before a majestic coda brings things to a close. Music for everything else indeed, but by all means for the body as well. For its first release, Wildheart is giving birth to a monster.