Arms & Suites is the most recent creation of Matthew Crossman, producer of Droplette. His self-titled album, released on the 12th of May, plays with time and space; bass drums hit the back of the brain, stopping and starting, while futuristic strings create melodies that oscillate between various room sizes. Within a UK Funky context, Arms & Suites extends frontiers, incorporating Cumbia beats that surprisingly avoid the cracked-out anxiety that some Guarachero imposes on a home listener’s ears. Rather, his sound possesses a flexibility, a paradoxical smoothness amongst chopped beats and vocal snippets. This unique effect demonstrates a defined aesthetic that marks Arms & Suites as sui generis amongst Austin’s innovative dance scene.
Arms & Suites first album is available for free download.
“Balearabic” beats from Chris Kontos, the author of the always informative Greek music blog, Plaidmusic
His words on the mix:
“Making an Arabic influenced mix was in my mind for quite sometime now as I was always deeply fascinated by Arabian music and it’s influences on almost every genre from new beat to house, disco and new wave. This is the perfect soundtrack for an exotic balearic summer party where east meets west.”
