Album Review: Rektified

Dr.Reknaw are an eight-piece psychedelic group who happily straddle genres: funk, soul, hip-hop and dub. I’d say there’s a little jazz in there too. Their new album Rektified is a nine-track assortment, sort of like a pic n mix that saunters across percussive hang beats and oozes with chill vibes with its heavy brass interjections, such as those in track 2 Dodo.

Whilst Bassline Meditation is a full measure of soul from the Doctors, it’s a relaxed yet upbeat track, catchy, and one I’ve listed for repeat. The lyrics say, “You’re running round inside my head”, and that sort of happens with the song.

Life Is A Game is slower, simpler and more sedate, the track settles over you like a fine mist, and the vocals are almost unintelligible at first, then playful and trippy.

The closing track Beez ramps up the dub, and lyrically has an activist stamp to it that I really like. The octet are full throttle with seductive vocals, and with many of the tracks you can tell every member is wading in to produce a seamless performance where tone and harmony are well-matched to provide a cohesive and substantial debut album.