Traum opens the year with a bang with this diverse and surprisingly funky release from London’s Neilon Pitamber, aka Dub Kult. Perhaps the release of Nôze’s “Kitchen” has opened a Herbert-sized door in the world of Triple R, as the middle cut “Chick” weaves in saxophone and jazz scatting as it flows from chilled to funky tech-house. It’s certainly the most ear-catching track here, but it’s supported by two other solid numbers: “Twelve,” a crunchy minimal banger with alienating vocals snippets, and “Slipping Away,” a welcome mix of ambient acoustics and a sensitive, yet intricate layer of downtempo drum programming.

Traum / 068
[Michael F. Gill]