Having previously released music via Soundway Records and Five Easy Pieces, South London based producer XOA (AKA Nick Tyson) caught the ears of Gilles Peterson, DJ Mag, Boiler Room, Red Bull, XLR8R (and more) with his use of rich analogue sonics, steeped in the electronic sounds of London’s musical underbelly, blending vibrant textures and cosmic melodies, melding afrobeat and jazz sensibilities with house and techno.
Following a brief hiatus, XOA now re-emerges with not only a 4 track EP entitled ‘Program Change’, but also as a four person outfit, which sees Tyson (Bass & Electronics) joined by Johnny Tomlinson (Synths / Fender Rhodes), Josh Arcoleo (Tenor Saxophone) and Joost Hendrickx (Drums).
XOA has a new direction and meaning: hard hitting Jazz with big analogue electronic sounds. The focus is on the playing, with little to no programming on the tracks, but with a lot of care and focus on the individual sounds, drawing on Tyson’s experience as an electronic music producer.
In Tyson’s words “we just wanted and needed to get together to write, play, share time and create together, and I wanted each member to reach out at different points and express themselves’. The record is a result of that.
Instilled with a new revitalised energy and focus, the group channel deep interstellar visions throughout their music, incorporating celestial arpeggios, haunting motifs, acid infused bass lines and driving electronics throughout the record.
The EP’s title track ‘Program Change’ (due for release 18th March) serves as the first single, immersing the listener in an warp speed kaleidoscopic journey through space and time, giving a taste of what to expect from the EP. Second offering ‘World Tour’ (due for release 22nd April) sees the group unite with fast-rising Bristolian MC Gardna, who brings his vocals to the scattered drum patterns and drifting pads, punctuated by some truly phenomenal saxophone riffs.
Feeding on their newly-forged collaborative energy, XOA have created an urgent and enthralling record - one which perfectly captures the lightning-rod tenacity of their live performances.
The release will be the first on Tyson’s own imprint Outervisions - a label which embraces creatively driven artists blending sounds of Jazz and electronic music from London and beyond.
1. Program Change (Radio Edit)
2. Counterforce
3. World Tour (feat Gardna)
4. Program Change (Main Edit)
5. Bump
