Record of the day… Ashworth / Cork
Artist: Ashworth
Title: Cork
Label: Needwant
Release: 22nd June 2015
Cat. No. NEEDW036
In the run-up to release of debut album, Grain, Ashworth treats us to a three track EP of extended 12” edits taken from the long player.
Ashworth has turned the heads of press, punters and DJs alike in recent times. His unique sound draws on a number of varied influences from House to Techno to Dub, always impressing with equal measures of originality and musicianship.
Originally asked to record a single for the pioneering London-based imprint Needwant, a creative surge of day and night studio sessions resulted in hours of new music, which was eventually edited down to a cohesive 12 track album. Three of the more club orientated tracks are now presented on this stunning new EP in the form of extended 12”edits.
Up first is ‘Cork,’ a layered, uplifting, almost ethereal House track, based around reassuringly familiar chords, ever-evolving with the analogue warmth of a Korg MS20 creeping in and out of the foreground and the constant swell of fuzzy background sound.
An intermittent muted piano adds a touch of cosy nostalgia. Next is ‘Grain,’ a peak moment of intensity, unashamedly on-the-nose, with just a few raw elements, all explored and pushed to the limit. Lastly, ‘Fireworks’ the less conventional of the three features Ashworth’s recording of a firework display, weaving the bangs, screams and blasts into a tapestry of 80’s Kraftwerk inspired synths, muted reverb-drenched percussion, and a satisfying, growling bass line.
Cork EP is a window with a fine view into the upcoming collection of sound Ashworth has put together on his debut album, Grain.
Tracklist:
A. Ashworth – Cork (12” Mix)
B1. Ashworth – Grain (12” Mix)
B2. Ashworth – Fireworks (12” Mix)
Describe the record in five words:
Organic, Melodic. Evolving, Grainy, Happy
What is it about this record that will appeal to the fans?
I don’t know if it’s really for me to say, but I hope people who were into my previous releases will see it as a record that I have put a lot of thought and love into.
How does it differ from your last release?
The tracks are less linear, and I put a lot of thought into creating interesting structures and atmospheres. The tracks are extended edits of tracks on my forthcoming album, so I had the structure and pace of the album to consider, as well as effectiveness in DJ sets.
What was the inspiration for this release?
It centres around my forthcoming album Grain, and my musical inspiration whilst making the album came from a number of different things, from minimalist composers, to field recordings, to micro-house. I mainly just wanted to make an honest, moving record that I was proud of.
If you had the chance to play this in any club, which would it be?
Any really beautiful open air venue with a good sound system. I feel like Cork especially is quite an ‘outdoors’ track. Or if it has to be an indoors club, then Fabric here in London.
More information can be found here – https://www.facebook.com/AshworthLondon
