Catpack - The Top (Bruk Rogers Remix) (Single)
Photo Credit: Lauren Desberg
LA collective Catpack—comprised of Amber Navran (Moonchild), Jacob Mann, and Phil Beaudreau—build on the momentum of their debut self-titled album and DJ Harrison remix with an uptempo, synth-laden reimagining of The Top, reworked by London-based Irish producer Bruk Rogers (aka Cian McCann of Zero T/Searchlight).
The original The Top is an ethereal and spacious journey layered with twinkling synths and relaxed percussion. "The song is about showing loved ones that you love them with love," Amber Navran explains. "Knowing how special they are, showing them in all the ways you can, and then being amazed at how they do the same for you. My love language is gifts, which is clear in the lyrics."
Bruk Rogers reimagines the track’s smooth, romantic melodies, amping up the bass and synths for a lively, feel-good groove, complete with funky breakdowns punctuated by tight, snappy drums. “I've been a fan of Amber Navran for some time - her vocal style is unique - and also an avid consumer of Moonchild since they started out. Signing to Tru Thoughts and becoming their label-mates was a real buzz for me. When I discovered Amber's new venture called Catpack with Phil Beaudreau and Jacob Mann I was immediately lockedin. I was super excited when they asked if I would remix something from their album and picked my favourite song "The Top". The music in the original is so beautiful I decided to keep it all, but up the tempo to turn it into an early 80's Boogie/Yacht Rock vibe. I also conscripted multi-instrumentalist Ishfaq to add some George Benson-style guitar flicks and a horn section to complement Amber's flute. I'm really chuffed that they like the remix, and it's been doing great things to dance-floors in my sets, so I can't wait for it to come out” he adds.
Since the release of their quirky, light-hearted project Catpack – which amassed support from the likes of Rolling Stone Japan, Soul Bounce, EARMILK and radio plays across KEXP, KCRW and Jazz FM – Catpack have made their debut performance at the iconic Amoeba Hollywood. Their debut record is an authentic convergence of each band member’s artistry, drawing on their influences to harness a jazz-influenced R&B sound with neo-soul, funky and electronic motifs. The whimsical namesake is taken from a synth patch resembling cats meowing that they discovered in the studio and an ingenious merch idea that followed (catpacks).
For Bruk Rogers, this remix follows his album Loopholes, which stands as a testament to the depth and range of Cian’s musical influences, all seamlessly integrated within the framework of Broken Beat. Feedback for his recent releases has been glowing, with Jamz Supernova saying, “Straight in my bruk bag,” while Mary Anne Hobbs calls it “Such a banger,” and Jyoty confesses, “I can’t stop listening to this one; it just makes me feel really, really, really good.”
Cian transitioned from jungle to bruk beats after a DJ set at the 2021 We Out Here Festival. His work on the CoOperation label has earned support from BBC 6Music, Gilles Peterson, and Jazz FM. He co-hosts a radio show on Rinse FM and remixes for Stay True and Tru Thoughts. Cian is also part of the jazz-soul duo Searchlight with Dominic Purcell (Beta 2). Their debut album, featuring K S R, dropped on Goldie’s Fallen Tree 1hundred label and has received support from Mary Anne Hobbs, Gilles Peterson, and Benji B, along with being named BBC 6 Music’s Record of the Week by Huey Morgan.