Taiko Ep

Early support from Loefah, Paleman & Mary Anne Hobbs
Having made it into Mixmag's Top 20 Labels of 2016 chart, Kaizen looks set to start 2017 with an almighty bang.

The third release on Madam X's burgeoning imprint comes from Manchester based Walton. After several releases via Kode9's Hyperdub he released his debut album 'Beyond' to critical acclaim and once you add to that a trio of fine EPs on Tectonic, we see an artist with seemingly unlimited potential.

Walton is no stranger when it comes to dark frequencies and the superb 'Taiko' EP takes influence from Far Eastern sounds with a wealth of space and subtle percussive grooves.

The A-side features two fierce and stark club cuts, with 'Tension' setting the tone for the murkiness inside. You may recognise the track from Madam X's wildly hyped Boiler Room set and it's found it's way into Loefah's bag too. Title track 'Taiko' hinges on a groove that bounces and slams its way through the runtime with Mary Ann Hobbs a fan of "the dark, tribal textures"

On the flipside the pace is kept up with two more dense, atmospheric tracks, with 'Black Hole' employing a heavy set, feverish use of percussion and 'Zen' acting as a more cinematic cut, almost like a weightless, demonic lullaby.

The EP has been on the club circuit for at least a year before seeing release, but the wait is now over and it's time for Madam X to take Kaizen to the next level.