Announcing himself to the world, Luke Blair released his debut album Onandon in 2007 to much critical acclaim, with his particular style of hip hop rhythms encrusted with static, dirt and lingering melodies. Having heard some of Lukid’ more recent mixtapes, I was fearful he was venturing too far into “wonky’ territory, which has its innovators, but now, many copyists.
Teamed with Werk Discs I was hoping for a more electronic and dub tinged journey, and that’s about right on the money. What we have here is an interesting hybrib of many differing styles of bass music, hip hop, dub, wonky, dubstep, Boards Of Canada style electronica and Autechre style rhythm mutations. This album is full of contrast, light and dark, loud and soft, sweet and bitter, dirt and smooth… On the whole a dark but exuberant ride, mesmerizing with a rare ability to draw you in, this could be the soundtrack to a movie you’ve wanted to see forever. Don’ right this off as part of the “new wave’ of hip hop producers like Flying Lotus, Hudson Mohawke, Samiyam amongst others, while these artists have their strengths, and excel at what they do, Foma has a more timeless quality, its an album you’ll be able to revisit often, and return to in years to come, for Lukid’ sound to wash over you once again.
Wayne Stronell
