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Live Review: PREMIERE: Jonny Reebok enlists Erin Nortje for a celebration of resilience on 'La Pression'

14 January 2019 | 10:00 am | Caitlin Medcalf

It's insane to me to think that Western Sydney producer JONNY REEBOK only kicked off his career last year. With a sound incorporating as many different pockets of UK influence as humanly possible, his output thus far has been both incredibly diverse and something completely different than what's being producer here in Australia at this point in time.

2018 saw him put out a couple of tracks, including his stellar debut 'Tyrone' which ended the year clocking at FBi Radio's 33rd most played song of 2018, his follow-up single 'You Don't Know Flavours Bwoy' which incorporated sounds of the motherland and finally, a 165BPM affair with ALTA'S 'Figured Out'.

He also played a couple of shows, supporting fellow UK-influenced Melbourne producer Christopher Port & the team at Vibe Positive, leaving fans chanting 'Reebok ay!'

He's kicking off 2019 with a bang, and we've got the first taste of what's to come from the Ipswich producer right here. 'La Pression' is the name of his new one, and he's teamed up with pal Erin Nortje to deliver it.

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It's an apt collaboration, with both producers residing in Sydney's West. Both grew up surrounded by the struggles of drug and poverty affected suburbs, with Erin hailing originally from Johannesburg. Being constantly reminded of the 'real world', the two relate to each other on a different level, which is why this collaboration feels so authentic and real.

'La Pression' is a voice for those communities that suffer in silence and a celebration of the people amongst it.

Sonically, this one clocks in at a little over five minutes, opening with potentially one of the biggest vocal samples Australian music's seen in a while. The vocal sample would feel right at home in a 90's UK rave, but it's the housier tip on the production that brings this one home and recontextualises it completely altogether.

It's the vocal sample that really drive the soundscape of this one, ebbing and flowing with the lush instrumental. The percussion is both crisp and scarce, something that I think needed to be done in order to really let that vocal shine through.

It's something a little different from Jonny Reebok, but in saying that, it just goes to show that he's an adaptable producer that thrives on exploration and new ideas.

Words by CAITLIN MEDCALF

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