- A key house label hits 30 releases.
- Uzuri Recordings was founded in 2007 by Lerato Kathi, better known by her alias Lakuti. Back in the '00s, Lakuti ran Süd Electronic, a London-based party and label, with fellow South African Alan Abrahams, who makes music as Portable. As she told Ryan Keeling in her RA Exchange, there came a point in the late '00s when the scene around Süd was no longer inspiring her. Listening back, Süd's twitchy, minimal sound is pretty far away from the deep, soulful house that Lakuti and Uzuri are known for today.
Alongside the label, Lakuti runs an agency that started spontaneously after Jus-Ed asked her to help organise his bookings. Uzuri Artist Bookings & Management quickly developed a specific remit centered on a vibrant New York house scene that was taking shape at the end of the 2000s. Jus-Ed, Fred P, Levon Vincent, DJ Qu and Joey Anderson have all been connected with Uzuri at various points.
Anderson is an ideal person to deliver Uzuri's landmark 30th release, an EP called One Single Thought. Firstly, he has roots in a scene that Lakuti had a major role in fostering. He also happens to be one of the best producers currently releasing house music. He's in top form on One Single Thought. "Steady Stare" is like the soundtrack to a heated dance battle, while "Let Us In" and "Mystic Strings" are in Anderson's classic psychedelic style. "Someday" is my favourite, a heads-down roller with that carefree, improvised feel that makes Anderson's music seem so human and familiar, even when things get extra-terrestrial.
TracklistA1 Steady Stare
A2 Let Us In
B1 Mystic Strings
B2 Someday