- Where do you go after perfecting a sound? That's what Wayne Goodlitt, AKA Roska, has been trying to figure out since he helped define UK funky in the late-'00s. His classic tunes, like "Feeline" or "Elevated Level" from 2008, were spare drum workouts that got to the essence of the sound. He's waffled since, releasing solid records that dip into everything from R&B to deep tech, but they haven't always captured the creative spark of Roska's heyday.
With Grind, Goodlitt revives his Bakongo alias for one of his best releases in recent memory. It's refreshing how unconcerned it is with the current UK house scene. "Grind" is almost like a time capsule from 2009. Its drum loop is pure Roska: heavily swung and stuffed with hand percussion wherever it can fit. The melody is meted out in stark, dull tones (think "Squark"), before the track pivots into an irresistible bassline. "Tee Oh Ell" feels thinner by comparison. It's based on staccato vocal samples, eschewing a bassline entirely, but the dry loopiness of the drums is addictive. In that way, the track recalls classic Roska records. It's hard to listen to Grind without thinking of those early years, but instead of a step backwards, it feels like a talented producer getting back to what he does best.
Tracklist01. Grind
02. Tee Oh Ell