2 (LP)

Format: LP  Label: PAN  Year: 2019 Condition: New  TRACKS: A1 Now More Than Ever A2 Total Cure A3 Mirror In My Room A4 Blackpepper B1 Purplelight Wish B2 Rose 31 B3 Near Future PERSONNEL: Max D Jeremy Hyman Dawit Eklund Martin Kasey Matthew Papich Motion Graphics Beatrice Dillon Jordan GCZ Will DiMaggio Sami Aya Expansion is a key theme to Lifted 2, primarily in the musicians involved; Lifted is now a core group of Future Times boss Max D, Matt Papich aka Co La, Jeremy Hyman and Motion Graphics. Expansion also relates to musical ideas Lifted explore and the studio techniques executed. These seven tracks adroitly weave through mood and vibe, demanding heads lock in with an initial blast of whip sharp percussive hits and contemporary no-wave blowouts before letting off steam with soothing ambient synthesis. “Black Pepper” acts as the album centerpiece, an unhinged mangle of SH101 basslines, freeform flute & saxophone and multiple percussive sources brought to order by Papich’s studio dubs. “Rose 31” edges closest to the kind of jazz fusion that inspired the project from the off. Closer “Near Future” smartly foregrounds Motion Graphics’ stunning piano talents, gradually stripping away all other elements until all that is left are his swirling notes.