Titan Blackstone

BBE unveil the long awaited new album by the legendary DJ Vadim and Californian songwriter Katrina Blackstone. Vadim has been working with BBE since 2007's Soundcatcher LP where he has built a formidable reputation as one of the world's hardest working DJs and producers. 10 years later, Double Sided will be his seventh album on the label. Tennessee born Blackstone has previously worked with cult downtempo artists Bluetech & Dr Israel among others. She studied vocal performance and jazz at the New School University in New York, before moving to San Francisco where she continues to record and perform tirelessly. The duo has been recording on and off for several years and after providing guest appearances on Vadim's Dubcatcher LP, Blackstone joined him on tour. Vadim's compositions on the new Double Sided LP range from dubby downtempo grooves to upbeat afro-boogie business. Katrina's crystal clear vocals, catchy melodies and highly relatable lyrics provide the perfect foil for Vadim's raw productions.

Recording and touring together on and off for several years now, sonic journeyman DJ Vadim and Californian songwriter Katrina Blackstone unveil their long awaited full-length album 'Double Sided', released on BBE Music. After providing a pair of stellar guest appearances on Vadim's 2014 'Dubcatcher' album, Katrina Blackstone joined Vad on tour and the duo have been steadily laying down tracks ever since. Eschewing samples in favour of drum machines, guitars and a dizzying array of synths, Vadim's compositions on 'Double Sided' range from dubby downtempo grooves to upbeat afroboogie business. Katrina's crystal clear vocals, catchy melodies and highly relatable lyrics provide the perfect foil for Vadim's raw productions.

The new album opens with a mesmerizing instrumental of “Legacy.” Once Adam urges the crowd to, “Come rock with us,” a soft drumbeat, dreamy keys, and captivating horns paint the soundscape. On “Biggest, Greatest Thing” (feat. Mary Mary),” Mary Mary unleashes soaring vocals above head-nodding piano and lively trumpet. Among many highlights, he links up with Leslie Odom Jr. on a hypnotic cover of Nat King Cole’s “Smile.” Between melancholic strings and piano, Leslie showcases his skyscraper-reaching vocal skills. Then, there’s “Trust Me (Interlude),” which teems with energy through Robert Glapser’s mesmerizing piano performance. Halfway through the seven minute tune, his piano playing is met with a jazzy drumbeat before fading into the distance. Adam joins forces with DIXSON on “Just the Two of Us / Do For Love.”Between upbeat horns and bongos, DIXSON unleashes a sizzling cover of the Bill Withers classic while an exciting keyboard breakdown closes out the song.