ROBOHANDS Schallplatten & CDs

Review: New Robohands LP Palms is the fifth album from the London based instrumentalist and producer Andy Baxter. Moving towards different genres and arrangements from his previous albums, 'Palms' features duelling harp parts, tape echo, double bass and draws inspiration from artists such as Dorothy Ashby, Azimuth, Alice Coltrane and Toquinho. In parts tropical and synth-drenched, and in others stripped-back and acoustic, Palms is a journey back in time to the saturated analog recordings of the late 60s and 70s, with a subtle modern layer of glitch FX and pitch-controlled experimentation in places. The album makes also reference to classic releases from jazz fusion that feature the legendary Arp Odyssey synthesiser, used by artists such as Herbie Hancock and George Duke.

Review: Robohands is the London-based instrumentalist and producer Andy Baxter and Palms is his fifth studio album. It explores new moods and grooves and builds on his previous albums with lush harp, tape echo, double bass and inspiration from the likes of Dorothy Ashby and Azimuth. This is a standard black vinyl version though it also comes on translucent yellow wax which echoes the tropical and synth-drenched sounds as this journey heads back in time to the saturated analog recordings of the late 60s and 70s. Gear-heads will no doubt recognise its use of an Arp Odyssey synthesiser, which was also famously used by artists such as Herbie Hancock. A brilliantly timeless album.

Review: The latest Robohands saw a return to UK instrumentalist Andy Baxter's beloved formula of breakbeat, jazz and ambient from his breakout success with 'Green', which relied on much more jazzy leanings. Expect a wholly unique experience with Giallo however, which harnesses a much stranger energy within its ambient fortress. The sounds are tactile, yet somewhat distant at times, like being lost in dense blue fog on 'For the Different' or the soothing nu-jazz instrumental of 'Relax'. The undisputable highlight is the title track 'Giallo', a droning ambient synth with drum breaks and different synth patches gently swaying in and out of the mix as quickly as they arrived. It's a short and sweet care package from one of the greatest instrumentalists in the country.

Review: A stellar piece of ambient jazz finally getting the vinyl treatment. 'Green' was Robohands (aka Andy Baxter) debut LP that combines ambient, jungle and hip-hop sensibilities into a relaxing jazz package that rightfully earned its popularity on YouTube. Described as a future classic, 'Green' is an effortless and high quality piece of jazz coming direct from the underground with zero promotion - the talent speaks for itself. 'Lost' is an immediate favourite, a lowkey drum breakbeat over soulfull piano lends itself to a near tropical vibe. 'Dream' is a cozy banger, reminiscent of the instrumentation from Solange in her more recent works, while 'Ascend' feels like an extract from a Studio Ghibli movie - Baxter's concept of setting and atmosphere are perfect. Fans of lo-fi hip-hop and ambient as a genre need to know the name Robohands.