Mark Pritchard is a very busy man at the moment, but he is making some really original beats and music, most often in the company of Steve Spacek. Their latest project, Africa Hitech, explores the rhythms and ideals of the continent as if from afar, from a digital perspective. There are some weird and wonderful things going on here, and sometimes – as in the monotone ‘Out In The Streets’ – it’s more of a feeling than anything else, the pair using what on the face of it is basic melodic material to come up with something truly inventive. Most striking of all is ‘Light The Way’, where a vocal hook goes round and round in circles, changing subtly in intensity and backing as it works its way into a trance. The pair show their sensitive side both here and in other meditative tracks, ‘Our Luv’ and ‘Spirit’ more break of dawn than middle of party. There is some really good stuff going on here, beat making without rules and prejudice, and under the guise of Pritchard and Spacek it grows every time you hear it.
5 Out Of 5
Reviewed By: Ben Hogwood
