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Today, Jerome Sydenham, the Nigerian-born, New York house music underground icon, debuts on Carl Craig’s Planet E Recordings with a highly anticipated double single, Deeplight / Black Dog, in collaboration with emerging Berlin-based producer Fatima Njai aka Cosmic Soldier.
Both “Deeplight” and “Black Dog” tap into a weighty, industrial-yet-tribal dancefloor hypnosis that speaks to the very essence of underground house and techno. “Deeplight” soars on impressive layers of psychedelic texture, raw percussion, and a querying, prophetic vocal, while “Black Dog” skirts with darkness before upending it with vintage Detroit keys, waves of euphoria rolling out of the gloom to move the dance.
Sydenham’s storied career spans 40 years, with collaborations alongside the likes of Kerri Chandler, The Martinez Brothers, and many others. He made his mark in the ‘80s New York underground scene with a residency at Nell’s and later as an A&R at Atlantic Records, where he broke acts such as En Vogue. In 1995, he founded Ibadan Records, an imprint that helped shape the deep house genre with releases from his close collaborators like Kerri Chandler and Joe Claussel.
After relocating to Berlin in the early 2000s, Sydenham’s sound evolved, influenced by techno greats such as Laurent Garnier. According to Resident Advisor, Sydenham is “one of the few DJs that can credibly pull off equally well-received sets in Berghain and Panorama Bar.” Both Sydenham’s Ibadan and Craig’s Planet E have been crucial parts of house & techno’s backbone and progression since the mid-1990s, and both artists have stayed true to their innovative nature in today’s underground landscape.
Cosmic Soldier, the Berlin-based producer, is rapidly making a name for herself with a fresh, experimental take on electronic music. The collaboration between Sydenham and Cosmic Soldier on this release promises to deliver a unique and powerful listening experience, bringing together two distinct voices in the world of electronic music for a release that will resonate deeply with fans of both house and techno.
The double single Deeplight / Black Dog is out now on Planet E Recordings.
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