Floating Points ft. Fatima @ Departure Lounge, 8 Oct

 

Classically trained musician and producer Sam Shepherd arrives at this month’s edition of Departure Lounge with a suitcase stuffed with what are formally known in the industry as "a bunch of dope-ass beats". The contents of his luggage shift fluidly between Prins Thomas space disco and cascading waves of UK funky, all anchored by grooves that push Floating Point’s bassy, hip-hop and jazz flecked influences to the fore. Quite a mixed bag, then. Fatima, a frequent Floating Points collaborator, shares top billing, and for good reason – the Swede's thick, syrupy vocals offer a seamless foil for Floating Point’s eclectic palate. Other treats on offer include Digital Jones, an Edinburgh duo that deal in jazz-informed rhythms, with a few flourishes of funk and minimal techno. Alongside the 8-piece ensemble line-up that Digital Jones will boast, residents Astroboy, Jiminez and Mr Zimbabwe complete the evening's entertainment. Mind your passports. [Ray Philp]