Where other labels went trucking happily away in their lanes before, nothing Ireland ever saw compared to what Fly High Society brought to the mix. Now a decade into maturity, the label is at the forefront of a keen new style and sound that carries far from its home base.
Holding an all-star crew of passengers, fuelled by six flushes of green jet energy, this label sampler soars above tradition for an all-encompassing view of what Ireland and the wider world look like from the heavens.
Released June 19th, this label presentation of six tracks comes in preparation for the forthcoming releases currently biding their time on the Fly High Society catalogue. Featuring a host of Irish and international performers, the sampler includes some exclusive versions and tracks previously unavailable to the public.
First up is a remix, pitting the award-winning Rusangano Family’s GodKnows against Dublin's acclaimed rapper Lethal Dialect.
The mini compilation also shines a light on some fresh talent; the new work of MuRli, former Hardcore frontman turned MC Nealo, and the jazz musicians known collectively as the Aratita Electronik Jazz Quintet.
Winging in across the water is a track from East London’s own Tre’bore, collaborating with Irish-born, Liverpool-based producer, SertOne to showcase more from their gutter rap series The Fortunate Dead.
Rounding things off is a joint offering from French producer H-Sik and SertOne, with a Jungle-inspired slice of rapid beats and bass.
We are now at cruising altitude. We hope you enjoy your journey to Fly High Society's secret destination.
1. GodKnows - Hold Firm ft. Nealo & Lethal Dialect (Aratita Electronik Jazz Quintet Remix)
Coming soon in July 2020 is Zimbabwean-Irish Hip Hop MC GodKnows’ second full release on Fly High Society, titled Who’s Asking? Vol. 2, with the original version of Hold Firm. The sampler takes off with a remix from Aratita Electronik Jazz Quintet, featuring two Dublin rap heavyweights, Nealo and Lethal Dialect. This version with AEJQ’s instrumental Jazz takes the accents of the capital and forges those dulcet Dublin tones with punchy drums, slick baselines and lush pads, a perfect example of the driving energy and groove found powering through the AEJQ sound.
2. MuRli - We Are Not Kids Anymore (Prod. by SertOne)
MuRli is a rapper, producer and songwriter from Limerick, Ireland. One third of Rusangano Family, the first predominantly-black outfit to win the nationally-acclaimed Choice Music Prize, who have shared stages with the likes of Run The Jewels, Young Fathers, Snoop Dogg and BadBadNotGood, as an individual artist MuRli has continued to grow and develop in his own right.
After first working together in 2015 on an as-of-yet unreleased recording in Liverpool with fellow Rusangano Family members GodKnows and MynameisjOhn on a rainy afternoon in Liverpool, MuRli and SertOne decided it was time to make more music together.
We Are Not Kids Anymore is the first glimpse of a collection of songs recorded over the last two years, an exchange of verses and beats flitting via WeTransfer. Seamless cohesion in crafting music together this in this manner has led to a prolific collection that will be broken down to numerous EPs of hard-hitting SertOne beats and psyche-searching lyrics from a matured, soulful MuRli.
3. SertOne - Iakano
The 2018 Vesta EP on Fly High Society marked a defined new direction in the sound of SertOne’s bass and drum-heavy production style. With an outsider's perspective and recognition of sound system culture, the malleable talent of SertOne created a distinct style combining elements of Juke and Jungle, a furtheration of the first demonstration of his 2013 side-project, CL Moons. Characteristically busting out big bass with clever drum workouts, Iakano is leavened by the soaring lightness of synths SertOne has become known for. This compilation exclusive continues the explorations in that expanse of creative landscape. 2020 has already seen SertOne’s Spectres EP for London’s Trax Couture label find support from platforms such as Trevor Jackson’s NTS Radio show and BBC 6 Music’s Tom Ravenscroft.
4. Aratita Electronik Jazz Quintet - March
In contrast to the earlier example of the five-piece Aratita Electronik Jazz Quintet’s version of Hold Firm, March is a sparse, and at times delicate piece, scattered with moments of emotional crescendos, conversational instrumentation and a tolling bell which draws the listener back into focus. March is one part of the debut EP Deosil which will be available later in 2020. Comprising 4 tracks, Deosil is an invitation to the bandstand manned by the group and is the first in several future AEJQ releases on Fly High Society.
5. The Fortunate Dead (SertOne & Tre’bore) - No Stress, Progress
The first song on a third release in the EP series of The Fortunate Dead, East London born and bred MC Tre’bore pairs up with Irish-born, Liverpool-based producer SertOne on the beats. Tre’bore’s sounds are inspired by his environment with raspy distorted vocals, nods to drill rap, footwork and everything in between. SertOne is a versatile producer whose back catalogue of original and remix work extends across genres of bass, rap and all things beats, flirting with elements of Juke and Jungle. In No Stress, Progress, their wicked combination once again finesses the rough edges of lived experience into a blend of haunting, hardline, uncompromising mastery.
6. SertOne x H-Sik - Wild
Born in Abidjan, Ivory Coast, Herve Sika is H-SIK, a French producer/DJ now based in Haarlem, Netherlands. Immersed in traditional African music, a passion for exploring historic rhythm machines and samplers has shaped H-SIK's distinct identity. Influences such as Jazz, Jungle, French Hip Hop and Drum’n’Bass can be heard throughout his releases for esteemed labels such as Error Broadcast and Black Acre. His 2012 release Cocody found the support of Needle Drop’s Anthony Fantano who described it as ‘’intriguing and energizing".
SertOne joins Herve on this compilation exclusive track, one of the many tracks the two artists have worked on in recent years but the first to be made available publicly. It winds up the sampler with good reason, as perhaps the most variegated, scintillating of the six, a thrilling and enervating track which leaves a trail of heavy vapour dissipating in the ears of the listener.
The pilot has landed this precious cargo safely and all that's left now is for you to relax and enjoy this introduction to the 'Society. Thank you for your custom, we hope you'll return, again and again.
supported by 16 fans who also own “Fly High Sampler Vol.1”
Her voice is a beautiful instrument, listen you'll see what I'm taking about Great beats, melodies. Not just a great Rap/ Hip Hop album, great album period. BetoR
supported by 12 fans who also own “Fly High Sampler Vol.1”
Murli has been the quiet backbone of some of the most forward thinking and collaborative Hip-Hop to come out of Ireland in the last decade. From his excellent production for fellow Innovator Denise Chaila, to his own growing and largely flawless catalogue, Murli epitomises all the best aspects of Irish Hip-Hop.
TIL THE WHEELS FALL OFF IS FOR THE CHILDREN! Foxtrot McGinty
A new EP of bangers exploring bass-heavy spaces between d&b, grime, and beyond. Limited 12" and Bandcamp digital exclusive. Bandcamp New & Notable Mar 11, 2016
