Darius & Benny Sings – Rise

Album: OASIS

Label : Roche Musique
© 2022 Utopia Studios under exclusive licence to Roche Musique

Attached since his beginnings to the Roche Musique label, (too) quickly praised as the next generation of the French Touch, Darius has never adhered to filtered house, as proven by his first EP Romance in 2014, then his album Utopia three years ago. later.

Already, we could hear these solar feminine voices and these warm grooves which form the theme of this second essay, OASIS. The Bordeaux producer signs his “American album” in a way, which sees him string together choice featurings, practically all from across the Atlantic.

Perhaps a sign that French beatmakers are popular right now on the other side of the ocean, but above all a sign that Darius is extremely convincing musically. Passionate about “Marvin Gaye, Thundercat and Frank Ocean”, he produces on this disc a more groove music than the US groove, sending us back to the golden era of Brand New Heavies, Common and other Soulquarians.

It offers wonderful mellow moments like NOTHING TO ME, with the ubiquitous Californian Kadhja Bonet, or more soulful like EASE YOUR MIND, with Devin Tracy, singer from New York who is a fan of Sade and signed to Soulection. Darius sometimes branches off to pop dancing with Benny Sings, still as charming, or Duñe on FEELS RIGHT, a rare concession to beat house. But his modus operandi goes against the French Touch by avoiding sampling and by seeking out real musicians to create an authentic and balanced groove that never drips.

© Smaël Bouaici/Qobuz