Manudigital – Step Up (2023) Album

Label: X-Ray Production
All instruments by: Emmanuel “Manudigital” Heron
Except guitars by: Pierre-Etienne “Pokito” Heron
Guitars on track 13 by: Erwan Pères
Trumpet on track 13 by: Florent Grimaud
Recorded by: Emmanuel “Manudigital” Heron at Digital Lab 2
Mixed by: Emmanuel “Manudigital” Heron at Digital Lab 2
Except tracks 10 and 13 mixed by: Sebastien Houot at Wise Studio
Mastered by: Sebastien Houot at Wise Studio
Artwork by: Stéphane Buttigieg
Produced by: X-Ray Production
Release date: 11/17/2023

Manudigital presents his new album Step Up, taking his fusion of reggae and bass music even further. Loaded with crucial collaborations with singers from different corners of the musical and physical world, the French beatmaker evolves his sound towards more electronic and hybrid terrains, fluidly navigating between musical genres.

Armed with his bass, MPC and synthesizer, Manudigital surrounds himself with no less than 17 carefully chosen artists who give voice to his rhythms.

The album opens with the explosive Step Up, which gives the LP its name, featuring veteran Jamaican Deejay Joseph Cotton and British Emcee Bellyman.

UK underground reggae/soul genius Liam Bailey lends his voice to Enough, a digital reggae song with pop touches. It will delight lovers of the most moving Jamaican roots.

Having produced Alborosie and Protoje’s 2016 hit Strolling, Manudigital pairs the Sicilian Emcee Pupa Albo with Jamaican pure singjay Yami Bolo for the song Reggae Music and Love. It boasts a great melody built on a classic Jamaican-style digital riddim, a catchy chorus utilising the mellifluous voice of Yami Bolo and Alborosie’s legendary flow on the verses.

The singer of cult band Asian Dub Foundation, Ghetto Priest, also is part of the project with Rasta Corner; MC Caporal Negus joins Manudigital on the track Dub and Bass (and will also accompany Manudigital on tour). Jolly Joseph, named after the famous Jamaican bus service, sings on one of the dubbiest tracks on the album, The World is Hell.

Manudigital also likes to mix things up by welcoming important artists in a variety styles. He skirts the edges of lo fi hip-hop along with Dancehall President (AKA Skarra Mucci) on Fi Di Youths, touches baile funk with Punjabi-American rapper Alo Wala on Love on Tap, and even Afrobeat with Dynamq for album closer, Piki Piki.

Other guests include Alika and Blackout JA (Buscan Mas), Afu-Ra and Ruffian Rugged (Don’t Stop), Million Stylez (Do Good) and Tracy de Sà (No Sabes Na).

Step Up is available on vinyl, CD and digital platforms.

Source: Run It Agency