In the four years since Shigeto (producer Zach Saginaw) returned home to Michigan after rolling through Brooklyn, he's immersed himself in the Detroit community, using its culture as inspiration for his latest album, The New Monday.
Taking its name from a weekly DJ event Shigeto does in the city (Monday is the New Monday), his latest album is the result of his immersion in the vibrant, musical diversity the city is known for. While The New Monday still plays in the jazz current Shigeto's projects have always been associated with, the distinct influences of his return to Detroit — be they newly discovered, or musical references he's always carried with him — are splashed across the album. Opener "Detroit Part II" plays with Shigeto's familiar form, a deep groove running through that allows thick bass, lithe synth and saxophone to flit across (and a natural progression from "Detroit Part I," found on prior release No Better Time Than Now).
What follows exemplifies the distinct influences he's incorporated into this latest release: the woozy beat and vocals of Detroit hip-hop artist ZelooperZ on "Barry White," the house breaks and beats of "Ice Breaker" and the abrupt reversal and ambiance of "In Case You Forgot." This LP captures Shigeto's embracing of myriad sounds, styles and sensibilities, and while his original sound still shines through, he shows the listener that diving into new territory can have massive payoffs.
(Ghostly International)Taking its name from a weekly DJ event Shigeto does in the city (Monday is the New Monday), his latest album is the result of his immersion in the vibrant, musical diversity the city is known for. While The New Monday still plays in the jazz current Shigeto's projects have always been associated with, the distinct influences of his return to Detroit — be they newly discovered, or musical references he's always carried with him — are splashed across the album. Opener "Detroit Part II" plays with Shigeto's familiar form, a deep groove running through that allows thick bass, lithe synth and saxophone to flit across (and a natural progression from "Detroit Part I," found on prior release No Better Time Than Now).
What follows exemplifies the distinct influences he's incorporated into this latest release: the woozy beat and vocals of Detroit hip-hop artist ZelooperZ on "Barry White," the house breaks and beats of "Ice Breaker" and the abrupt reversal and ambiance of "In Case You Forgot." This LP captures Shigeto's embracing of myriad sounds, styles and sensibilities, and while his original sound still shines through, he shows the listener that diving into new territory can have massive payoffs.