Much has been made about Sumach Ecks’ voice leading up to the release of his debut disc A Sufi and a Killer. Following his guest performance on Flying Lotus’s Los Angeles in 2008, Ecks quickly made a name for himself with his voice that is as filthy as it is enchanting. In this regard, it’s a pleasant surprise that, with the debut disc for Ecks under the guise Gonjasufi, the singer has developed a sonic palette fitting for the uniqueness of his voice. A Sufi and a Killer is the perfect counterpart to any summer pop record, as Ecks quickly develops a blissed-out beachhouse aesthetic consistent with his fractured vocals, and carries it through to the final notes of the album. While there are a few bumps along the way, the record does well at maintaining a sense of cohesiveness. At no point does a song sound out of place. Considering the wide variety of styles brought into play throughout the disc (from the 1970s B-movie soundtrack feel of “Sheep” to the pounding blues of “Kowboyz&Indians,” recalling the best moments of Jon Spencer), it’s this consistency that proves to be the album’s greatest asset. With A Sufi and a Killer, Gonjasufi has proven to be worth the hype. (Warp, www.warp.net) Jeff Friesen
Winnipeg music & culture since 1989