Having a Canadian artist land on the world-renowned Warp Records isn't easy – only two have made the cut in the label's 22-year history: Richie Hawtin's F.U.S.E. and Born Ruffians. But now we can add Vancouver-based producer Babe Rainbow to that coveted list. The man behind the Rainbow, Cameron Reed (who also serves as director for Vancouver's Music Waste festival), is about as surprised as everyone else. "It has been a pretty incredible experience. Warp is awesome to work with and I feel very fortunate and humbled to have the opportunity that I do." He needn't be. Endless Path is an impressive sophomore effort, blending cinematic textures with hip-hop programming and bass music's low end to create a deeply enjoyable listen. It ought to confirm Babe Rainbow as a leading light in a new generation of Canadian electronic musicians.
With several years kicking around in bands under his belt, the turn toward electronic music began for Reed a few years back. "I had started experimenting with electronic music and releasing the tracks for free download," he says. "By the summer, I felt confident enough to send a few emails to blogs that I thought might dig my stuff. Fortunately for me, they did! Shortly after getting some exposure, Warp got in touch with me and we slowly made arrangements to release what would become the Shaved EP."
If Shaved introduced babe Rainbow to the world as a practitioner of standard dubstep with a dark twist, the six-track Endless Path EP showcases a producer growing in leaps and bounds. "Every time I sit down to produce I try to do something a little different. I would say that Endless Path is slightly less dark and brooding than Shaved, but more importantly, I'd say it shows a greater range of emotion." This time out, Reed has definitely come into his own.
With several years kicking around in bands under his belt, the turn toward electronic music began for Reed a few years back. "I had started experimenting with electronic music and releasing the tracks for free download," he says. "By the summer, I felt confident enough to send a few emails to blogs that I thought might dig my stuff. Fortunately for me, they did! Shortly after getting some exposure, Warp got in touch with me and we slowly made arrangements to release what would become the Shaved EP."
If Shaved introduced babe Rainbow to the world as a practitioner of standard dubstep with a dark twist, the six-track Endless Path EP showcases a producer growing in leaps and bounds. "Every time I sit down to produce I try to do something a little different. I would say that Endless Path is slightly less dark and brooding than Shaved, but more importantly, I'd say it shows a greater range of emotion." This time out, Reed has definitely come into his own.