Enigmatic producer Waxwood has a genuinely global outlook. Born in Russia, resident in Brooklyn and a regular visitor to Los Angeles, he can often be found jetting off to far-flung parts of the World in order to make field recordings and immerse himself in different musical cultures.
You can hear these disparate global influences and inspirations in Waxwood’s first single for Claremont 56, which comes on the back of a near legendary 2015 cassette for NYC’s Styles
Upon Styles, Sahasraha, which magically fused tropical hand percussion and densely layered field recordings with lilting ambient chords, hypnotic electronic rhythms and all manner of intoxicating aural flourishes.
“Kama” is a slightly different beast from its’ predecessor, with a sunny disposition and laidback breeziness throughout. Although underpinned by a sturdy kick-drum pattern, its chiming melodies and metallic percussion flourishes – reminiscent of indigenous music from far-flung nations such as Malaysia and Indonesia – combine with gentle acoustic guitar motifs and waves of acid-esque electronics to create a beguiling and life-affirming mood. It offers more proof that Waxwood is a producer with a unique musical vision.
The track’s inherent gentle breeziness is explored in greater detail on the accompanying remix, which has been provided by Phantom Island regulars Fuga Ronto (AKA Swiss musicians/producers Ron Shiller and Tobi Schweizer). Riffing on Waxwood’s original, they’ve added superb new vocals and instrumentation – think dreamy harmonies, tumbling synthesizer melodies and mesmerizing guitar parts – to create a sunset-friendly Balearic revision that’s both stunningly beautiful and dazzlingly sun-kissed.