Tru Thoughts - Shapes: Collide (Album)
Tru Thoughts proudly present ‘Shapes: Collide’, the latest addition to the label’s series of essential compilations curated by A&R, label founder and co-owner, DJ – Robert Luis. After 24 years of independently releasing music, the ‘Shapes’ LPs celebrate the best of the Brighton-based imprint's wide-ranging and international roster, with established acts on the label, such Japanese MPC-wizard Anchorsong, Grammy-nominated LA-trio Moonchild and the imagined orchestra of Joe Acheson, Hidden Orchestra, sitting alongside newer signings, including London-based singer/songwriter Steven Bamidele, the new alias from Irish producer Cian McCann (Zero T) aka Bruk Rogers and the dynamic producer, keyboard duo Born47 & Onj. The 36-track digital album includes fresh releases, classic catalogue pieces and imaginative remixes from influential names across many different scenes, like Seoul-duo Salamanda, Gilles Peterson’s STR4TA, Ashley Beedle’s North Street West trio, pioneer of the broken beat movement IG Culture, and many more.
“I always enjoy putting our yearly Shapes compilations together, as it allows me some time to look at the music direction of Tru Thoughts currently and going forward. The label has always embraced an eclectic and open-minded music policy, and this Shapes’ reflects that very well. With new artists making their initial music journeys with us alongside the more established artists of the roster but all of them connected by pushing themselves as artists and being creative within their own genres.” – Robert Luis.
‘Shapes: Collide’ is a milestone compilation for the label’s output, celebrating the talents of the intercontinental musical community that makes Tru Thoughts the diverse, creative and independent powerhouse it is, with music spanning the globe from the UK, US, Israel, Japan, France, Belgium, Switzerland, South Korea, Taiwan, Australia, and beyond. Eclecticism is at the album’s core, and the tracklist is an honest reflection of this, with the compilation programmed in two parts, creating moving connections between music for the dancefloor and for chilling at home. ‘Shapes: Collide’ pedestals debut albums from newcomers on the label – Nottingham-based soul-sister duo MELONYX’s ‘Soul Glow’; Bristol-based producer, artist, songwriter Slowe’s ‘Where The Mind Wanders’ and Brussels-based producer, multi-instrumentalist and DJ Kuna Maze, on his concept record ‘Night Shift’. While the comp also champions stalwarts on the roster; broken beat renaissance man WheelUP; Glaswegian creative polymath Rebecca Vasmant, and underground master-of-all trades Sly5thAve. The artwork for the compilation is created by graphic designer James Mayall, creative director of Bexhill-based, Studio Mayall, who encapsulates and plays on the release title.
Robert Luis is the founder, co-owner and A&R for Tru Thoughts record label, working with and introducing a whole host of acts into the musical world, signing Quantic, Bonobo, Belleruche and Alice Russell and releasing their debut albums. His background has always been in DJ’ing, promoting and spinning at some legendary club nights in Brighton and booking and DJ’ing with the likes of Mr Scruff, Basement Jaxx, Ashley Beedle, Groove Armada, James Lavelle, Fabio, Gilles Peterson, Roni Size and 4hero. Robert hosts a weekly radio show called Unfold (1BTN) and his DJ style covers a wide range of music from beats, jazz, jungle, grime, funk, bass, south asian grooves, tropical, hip hop, uk garage, reggae, soul to drum and bass. This eclectic style has resulted in him DJ'ing across the world, everywhere from underground clubs in Moscow, USA, Europe, Australia and across the UK to MTV Party's in Cannes, We Out Here, Love Supreme, Bestival, Montreux, SXSW, The Big Chill, V Festival and a whole host of festivals across Europe.