Listen: Team Morale - "Ubuntu" [Premiere]

06 March 2015, 09:45 | Written by Charlotte Krol

(Tracks)

(Team Morale)

Team Morale might just be the most exciting young production duo around. The 22-year-olds from Kent make music experimental electronic music that pulls from all sorts of pots: from the mathtronica thrust of "Solstice" to the gentle ambience of "Snow Day". We are today delighted to premiere "Ubuntu", a song that transports listeners to some epic Middle Eastern desert...

Opening with a demonic vocal samples, placid bass and airy trip-hop rhythms, "Ubuntu" initially introduces itself as a sedate and comfortable creation. But clearly that's not enough. The band's magpie-like thirst for taking ideas from just about anywhere hears them quickly fashion the most sublime Arabic oud solo imaginable. It completely lifts it and transcends the song, strengthened further by cut-n-splice samples and bumbling Rumba rhythms.

The pair says: "We've always had a vast range of influences. When Team Morale began we had a real identity crisis, unable to settle on what kind of music we wanted to create. With 'Ubuntu' we resolved to fully embrace our influences and deliver a cohesive statement of intent for the EP and the band moving forward."

It really is hard to believe that "Ubuntu" features on just their second EP to date. This is mature, adventurous and intelligent writing that belies their youth (heck, it even inspires us to write music ourselves). We'll be pressing repeat for quite some time.

"Ubuntu" is a free download via Bad Panda Records this Monday, 9 March. New EP Satori is self-released on April 6.