Hatch himself describes it as 'rhythm and bass': taking the classic blues vibes of Roy Ayers and giving them a new-age tweak.
Young Sydney-sider HATCH himself describes it as "rhythm and bass": taking the classic blues vibes of Roy Ayers and giving them a new-age tweak for his rework of 'Everybody Loves the Sunshine'. The original was a light, smooth piece of tinkering R&B that only got as far as the synth in the way of electronics.
As you might expect, this edit ups the dose. HATCH (otherwise known as Jerry Gorman) isn't the only player in the game taking "inspiration from 70s and 80s soul and funk artists". In an increasingly nostalgic age and an ever-turning loop of what qualifies as 'tastefully retro', every big fish from KANYE WEST to JAMIE XX to FLUME is tapping into the golden era of music (indeed, ten seconds into HATCH's original 'What You Need' and I might've been listening to a 'Holdin' On' B-side).
But the respect is usually paid in the form of samples: infectious cuts of vocal soul or a brief splash of brass--small tips of the hat to the men and women that paved the path. HATCH's Ayers tribute is a little larger than that.
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This is, more than anything, a cover. In the vein of artists like SAFIA, Gorman boldly takes the reins on the vocal loop. The playful keys and croaking bass riffs give way to a greater percussion presence: marching-band style drums building toward a vocoded, bass-heavy release.
Maybe it's a brave undertaking for someone so fresh out of the ranks--but HATCH has hit his strides early, and carries it all home brilliantly. Nu-jazz, nu-funk-, nu-soul, nu-rhythm: HATCH reinvents a golden classic into a modern gem.
Words by Gavin Butler
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