Mara TK, Taay Ninh and Myele Manzana came together in 2007 to form Electric Wire Hustle, New Zealand's modern hip-hop and psychedelic soul band. Challenging boundaries and preconceptions this band have put their own twist to this genre making for a sweet listen.

Electric Wire Hustle have supported the likes of UK soul singer Alice Russell; Japan's DJ Krush; Grooveman Spot; and US soul outfit Sa-Ra creative partners. They have also had the pleasure of collaborating with US recording artists Georgia Anne Muldrow (Epistrophik Peach/SomeOthaShip/Ubiquity Records); Atlanta based Stacy Epps; Mara's dad; NZ Blues legend Billy TK; and UK future Soul exponent Steve Spacek who all feature on their self-entitled debut album.

The aforementioned album is a series of slow, soulful and mesmerising songs. In true psychedelic form each song has a feel of '60s nostalgia flowing through the rhythm of drums, vocals and pure styling.

'Again' is a cool track, layered with synth lines and some funky percussion. I couldn't help but compare the vocals to those of Simply Red's Mick Hucknall, soft and quite high. This is a quiet yet deep tune.

'This World' has a great rhythmic beat which calms the soul and allows you to sit back and relax. This is one of the best tunes on the album, it infuses an ethnic sound with gritty realness and shows just what this band are about.

Another track worth a mention is 'They Don't Want', which skyrocketed to the number 1 spot on the Hype Machine (www.hypemcom) and was also selected by BBC Radio 1's Gilles Petersen as the first track to appear on his latest Brownswood Bubblers Compilation.

Although I like this album I couldn't help notice that the majority of tracks have the same, slow head nodding beat, which is all good but can become a little too repetitive. It's good to mix the sound of an album up with different beats and rhythms which this album sadly lacked.

If you're after a chilled out vibe then this is definitely for you.

7

Helena Rea