Maurice Fulton

American producer Maurice Fulton's debut release, Boof, emerges after a career that began when Fulton started out as a 13-year old DJ in Baltimore, MD. His impressive array of collaborative efforts ranges from his role in the seductive house/garage sounds of the Basement Boys, to his distinctive drum programming and keyboards with the likes of Jimi Tenor and the seminal hip-hop group Whodini. With Boof, Fulton promises to seduce his listeners with ambient, atmospheric tracks that transform suddenly into spellbinding, deep and moody house. The string of descriptors can't do justice to the surprising transitions Fulton achieves on this album. His sounds are large and ambitious in their scope. Take "Jinga Boogie," which maintains the orchestral refrain but couples it with Latin percussion and a heady dance groove. Or "Life is Water," a track that begins with an almost Andean sounding flute melody over the soothing sound of trickling water, which is instantly overlaid with a sweet, funky bass riff and broken beats. Sombre orchestral moments and repetitive vocals from the Pro Canto choir by Seppo Korhonen tricks listeners into expecting a mellow vibe, but Fulton doesn't allow a single track to drift into nonchalant mode. From the retro groove of "Then Wiggle" to the jazzy drum solo on "Little Light," Fulton has produced a record that, from one song to the next, defies categorisation.