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2LP
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RS 010LP
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2020 repress. Al Dobson Jr.'s debut full-length LP on Rhythm Section International. Spread over 28 tracks and clocking in at just under one hour, this body of work provides a glimpse into the mind of one of the UK's most talented, enigmatic producers. Al Dobson's debut mini album marked the inauguration of Bradley Zero's fledgling label back in 2014 (RS 001LP), proving to be a breath of fresh air to the London scene with it's loose, undefinable sound and unique approach to production. As a newcomer, Al Dobson Jr.'s music didn't remain a secret for long, with major global tastemakers such as Gilles Peterson, Theo Parrish, Dego, Alex Nut, and Osunlade being early adopters. As with other key releases on 22a and Izwid, it didn't take long for Rye Lane Volume One to go from obscure debut to cult classic, propelling the artist and the label onto the international platform. At once a continuation and evolution of the sound, Rye Lane Volume II & III offers a deeper exploration into the Al Dobson Jr. universe, moving with ease through tempos and textures but never losing that effortless magic that makes ADJ stand out from the crowd.
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LP
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RS 001LP
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2024 repress. Sprung up from his much-fêted clubnight of the same name, Bradley Zero has enlisted fellow Peckham local Al Dobson Jr. to inaugurate Rhythm Section International with this: Rye Lane Volume 1, an 11 track mini-LP stuffed to the rafters with summery goodness. The importance of location on Rye Lane Volume 1 appears both tantamount and inconsequential: many of the titles on offer dot specific points of reference on the map (Peru, Grenada, Cameroon, Columbia, Peckham's Rye Lane), but Dobson Jr does his best to melt these heterogeneous influences down into something definably his own. Elliptical funkiness and nimble calypso grooves bob and weave through the melodic, soft-tone jazz stylings, all underpinned by a steady bump. This melange of warm styles mirrors the Peckham streets upon which it was cooked up, teaming with raw energy but quietly confident enough not to shout too loud about it. Tempos shift up and down at will as Dobson Jr shuffles through his strong pack at speed, maxing out the replay value. With it being almost impossible to define the sound of Rhythm Section in one record, Rye Lane Volume 1 perfectly fits the role of inaugural release by the way in which the album encapsulates the sum of Rhythm Section's influences into one coherent blend of experimental, percussive led jams. This selection of tracks, carefully curated from over 200 never-released works, is a concise statement from the Peckham based label as it confidently steps out from its humble suburban origins into the international arena.
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12"
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RS 002EP
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2021 repress. Rhythm Section International presents its second offering, Rye Lane Versions. Rye Lane Versions is reworks of Al Dobson Jr by Polish rising stars Ptaki and Manchester mainstay Ruf Dug. On the A side the Polish duo Ptaki take Dobson's tribal tom-tom rhythm and extend it into a sprawling disco epic, adding catchy keys and sensuous vocals. Ruf Dug's rework, "Ruffy's 3am Canavan's Special" takes inspiration from late night sessions at the infamous Peckham pool hall that is home to Rhythm Section, with metallic stabs of guitar layered over an aggressive squelchy bass sound and sharp phasing hi-hats.
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