Ghost People is a supersonic exercise for the senses and true testament to Martyn’s musical physique. He’s remarked that his debut album (Great Lengths) was “very personal”, rendering the latest incarnation a sound more suited to the nightlife-lifestyle. Indeed, Ghost People is nowt shy, with its heavy stabs and cosmic liveliness. This delicious body of music – released on Brainfeeder on October 10th – fuses techno, garage, house and dubstep into a prosperous realm of brilliant futurity.
That inimitable charisma we’ve come to expect from Martyn – the breathing funk of bassline so alive its human, the sleazy synths, playful percussion – do remain. The yearning for house and garage in the clubs currently is fulfilled, whilst the tracks ooze a timeless, ahead-of-its-time quality.
Stand outs, of which, I’m hard pushed to select. Masks’ grooving techno-soul builds layers of temper and excellence, whilst the percussive militia of Popgun is overruled by the ambient interlude preceding the title track, which skips garage through house with a notably enchanting bongo breakdown. Sating the present hunger for house- garage- funk-infused electronica, Ghost People really is a genuine joy to listen to.
And truly the Ghost People came out to play by force in the discreet Hoxton warehouse that played host to the album’s official London launch. Decorated with the musings of gifted artist Erosie, the urban underground lair came to life with dBridge’s moody, bumpy Autonomic flair and Kode9’s all-vinyl garage set impeccably closing proceedings. And of the man himself? Blasting highly deadly, recent tracks like Viper and Horror Vacui alongside gems from his first long player a la Vancouver and Hear Me it’s safe to say the man’s an insatiably innovative talent, our Martyn.
The key to producing definitively ‘futuristic’ music is a mild mystery to many, and perhaps a description given far too frivolously; it’s true, though, for a purveyor such as he. And the album, well, futuristic and perfectly current at once. Go. Get.
Martyn - 'Ghost People' LP Exclusive Stream by Mixmag