Premiere: Kabuki – Chungking Mansions

Music

Written by Annie Parker

Frankfurt producer and co-founder of Precision Breakbeat Research imprint, Kabuki, brings us the final installment of the collaboration-focused Beat Excursions series.

Invading his nostrils were the smells of spices, fish and bodies which, when experienced in tandem, made for a deadly concoction. This was especially true in his case where survival would depend on the sharpness of wit and perception. Swimming through swathes of people who clamoured clumsily on top of each other, he felt the air begin to prickle his face, signalling an opening which would either lead to safety, or more danger.

Following 5 editions, 24 tracks and 17 artist collaborations which range from Detroit-based Footwork connoisseur Sinistarr to Bronx native Anna Morgan, Kabuki’s self-released Beat Excursions series has reached its final form. For its sixth and final manifestation, it’s down to Exit Records boss dBridge, label affiliate Fixate, and Japanese dubstep and DnB stalwart ENA to offer their bass-heavy input.

Our pick sees Kabuki go solo. Inspired by a trip to Hong Kong where he visited the iconic location immortalised by Wong Kar-wai’s 1994 movie, ‘Chungking Mansions’ is a playful half-timer. Opening the track are high-frequency synth plucks which glimmer on a liquid surface before melodic low-ends and a hard-hitting beat plunges things into mischief. This track is action-packed, with the sharp edge sounds that glisten under neon lights.