It’s not often that you hear classic Chicago deep house mixed with breakbeat – but then again, it’s not all that often that Donnie Tempo A.K.A. Harold Brandon puts out music as Knu Jé. The DJ and producer adopted the moniker for the first time in 13 years to release the Vocoder So Sexy EP through Sound Reflection.
To clarify, the Vocoder So Sexy EP is not what has previously been termed “deep breaks.” Its rich, soulful and largely instrumental sound is simply underscored by a syncopated drum pattern, but both influences are compatible enough that the listener hardly even notices. The EP consists of the title track, which features vocals by Dovie Cote, as well as an instrumental version.
Brandon first debuted the Knu Jé project in 2004, with a single titled “Seeds Of Life” on Jon Cutler‘s label. Over the course of his career, he’s also produced and performed under stage names like DJ Quad and Club Ice. For this latest cut, he has cited the lyrics of Vinicius de Moraes & Norman Gimbel‘s “Girl From Ipanema” as his primary inspiration.
The Vocoder So Sexy EP by Knu Jé officially came out via Sound Reflection on June 26th.
