Formed back in 2019, Moscow-based instrumental soul quintet The Diasonics — Daniel Lutsenko (guitar), Kamil Gazizov (keys), Maksim Brusov (bass), Anton Moskvin (drums) and newest member Alexander Shingaling (percussion) — quickly gained cult status through […]
Tag: Mocambo Records
Moscow-based instrumental funk outfit The Diasonics — Anton Moskvin (drums), Maxim Brusov (bass guitar), Anton Katyrin (percussions), Daniil Lutsenko (guitar) and Kamil Gzizov (keys) — formed back in 2019 and quickly developed a sound that they’ve dubbed “hussar funk,” a blend of elements of hip-hop rhythms, 60s and 70s psychedelia and Eastern European flavor paired with cinematic-leaning arrangements. And with their unique sound and approach, the Russian funk quartet have managed amass a cult following within the international funk and soul scenes.
Since 2019, The Diasonics have been remarkably prolific: They’ve released ten highly-celebrated singles and various in-demand 45s through indie funk labels like Funk Night Records and Mocambo Records. Their full-length debut, 2022’s Origins of Forms was released through acclaimed Italian funk and soul purveyors, Record Kicks.
Recorded on an Otari MX-5050 MK III at Moscow’s Magnetone Studio and mixed by The Cactus Channel‘s and Karate Boogaloo‘s Henry Jenkins in Melbourne, Origins of Forms‘ saw the Russian outfit firmly cementing their overall sound and aesthetic.
The Diasonics’ latest single, the Henry Jenkins produced and mixed “Beggin'” is an instrumental rendition of a Bob Gaudio and Peggy Farina penned tune that was recorded by Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons in 1967. “Beggin'” became a British, Northern Soul scene classic in the late 1970s — and since then has been covered numerous times over the years, including most recently by Italian rock group Måneskin. The Diasonics rendition retains the dance floor friendliness of the original but with a bit more of an emphasis on wah-wah guitar-driven, soaring and glistening keys and a ridiculously supple and funky bass line, making it a must-have for those looking for deep grooves.
“Beggin'” is available on all digital stream platforms, but it also will be releasing on a limited edition 45 vinyl on March 8. Pre-order here.
Formed back in 2019, the Moscow-based instrumental funk outfit The Diasonics — Anton Moskvin (drums), Maxim Brusov (bass guitar), Anton Katyrin (percussions), Daniil Lutsenko (guitar) and Kamil Gzizov (keys) — quickly amassed a cult following, while honing a sound that they’ve dubbed “hussar funk,” a blend of hip-hop rhythms, 60s and 70s psychedelia and Eastern European flavor within cinematic arrangements.
Also in that relatively short period of time, the members of The Diasonics have released ten highly-celebrated singles and various in-demand, 45RPM vinyl records through indie funk labels like Funk Night Records and Mocambo Records. The Russian funk outfit’s full-length debut Origins of Forms is slated for a January 28, 2022 release through Italian funk and soul purveyors Record Kicks.
Recorded on an Otari MX-5050 MK III at Moscow’s Magnetone Studio and mixed by The Cactus Channel‘s and Karate Boogaloo‘s Henry Jenkins in Melbourne, the album’s overall aesthetic is firmly rooted in the early 60s and 70s.
In the lead up to its release later this week. I’ve managed to write about two of the album’s previous singles:
- “Gurami,” a slow-burning, soulful strut, centered around shimmering, wah wah pedaled guitar that’s a mash up of Turkish psych, boom bap breakbeats, organ jazz and trippy grooves that sounds as though it was part of a Sergio Leone Spaghetti Western or an instrumental soul obscurity found and sampled by the RZA.
- “Andromeda,” a trippy and expansive composition that sees the band meshing elements of prog rock, jazz fusion, Turkish psych and komishce musik in a way that reminded me quite a bit of Mildlife and L’Eclair — with a subtle Western tinge.
“Deviants,” Origins of Forms‘ third and latest single will further cement the act’s penchant for crafting hypnotic grooves — with the new single being centered around hip-hop inspired breakbeats, glistening retro-futuristic sounding Rhodes, strutting bass lines, shuffling wah wah pedaled guitar. The arrangement manages to be roomy enough for some inspired and scorching soling and some reverb drenched “ooh-ahhs.” Much like the aforementioned Mildlife and L’Eclair, “Deviants” is the sort of song perfect for poppin’ and lockin’ — or just chilling out on a Sunday.
Moscow-based instrumental funk outfit The Diasonics — Anton Moskvin (drums), Maxim Brusov (bass guitar), Anton Katyrin (percussions), Daniil Lutsenko (guitar) and Kamil Gzizov (keys) — formed back in 2019 and in a relatively short period of time, the Russian quintet quickly amassed a cult following while honing what they’ve dubbed “hussar funk,” a blend of hip-hop rhythms, 60s and 70s psychedelia, Eastern European flavor within cinematic arrangements
Since their formation, The Diasonics have released ten highly celebrated singles and various in-demand 45 vinyl records through funk labels like Funk Night Records and Mocambo Records. Their highly-anticipated full-length debut, Origins of Forms is slated for a January 28, 2022 release through Italian funk and soul purveyors Record Kicks.
Recorded on an Otari MX-5050 MK III at Moscow’s Magnetone Studio and mixed by The Cactus Channel‘s and Karate Boogaloo‘s Henry Jenkins in Melbourne, the album’s overall aesthetic is firmly rooted in the early 60s and 70s. Last month, I wrote about “Gurami,” Origins of Forms‘ first single, slow-burning and soulful strut, centered around shimmering, wah wah pedaled guitar that’s a mash up of Turkish psych, boom bap breakbeats, organ jazz and trippy grooves. The end result, a song that sounded as though it could have been part of the soundtrack of a Sergio Leone Spaghetti Western or an deep instrumental soul obscurity sampled by the RZA and then later played by El Michels Affair.
“Andromeda,” Origin of Forms‘ second and latest single features boom bap breakbeats, looping guitar lines, cosmic grooves, congo drum and shimmering organ in an expansive composition that mashes prog rock, jazz fusion, Turkish psych and komische musik. Sonically, “Andromeda” reminds me of Mildlife and L’Eclair — with a subtle Western tinge.
