RIVIERE NOIRE by REGINALD OMAS MAMODE IV

For customers of the Rush Hour shop, this item is on stock this Friday! Those who preordered, do not have to do so again - we will contact you when we have received copies!

Reginald Omas Mamode IV is an Anglo-Mauritian vocalist, producer and musician. Born and raised in Britain whilst maintaining a firm connection to his father‘s African island. South London to the Mascarene Islands (Réunion, Mauritius and Rodrigues) where Reginald's family roots lay. Music runs deep in the Mamode family with his brothers being recording artists but also their relatives contributing to the ‘Electric Sega’ recordings in Mauritius during the 1970’s.

Reggie’s music is informed by Golden Era Hip Hop, Jazz, Soul, Afro, Funk, Sega and Maloya. Africa, the Caribbean, South London and the Blues of The States. Echoes of J Dilla and D'Angelo as well as clear influences from Sly Stone, Shuggie Otis and Lee Perry. With four solo albums on Five Easy Pieces (and a string of collaboration projects)
Reginald has been instrumental in shaping the UK beat and jazz sound/scene of today, 2012 marked the start of Gilles Petersons ongoing support, playing Reginald's music for over a decade.

Along with his brothers Mo Kolours and Jeen Bassa, Friends and collaborators Al Dobson Jr and Tenderlonious; he’s helped forge the 22a co-operative that The FADER called “a kaleidoscopic patchwork of hip-hop, house, and groove investigations bound by one thread: a timeless belief in rhythm as a universal language”.

'Rivière' Noire' LP is somewhat of a rebirth or an evolution for Reginald. The album sees him take a step back from sampling records, rather performing all the instrument and vocal parts himself. He creates his sounds and grooves with a vast array of instruments, performed, recorded and mixed in his modest studio. Live drums, drum machines, various percussion instruments, guitar, Fender Rhodes and synths.

In his music, Reginald attempts to evoke feelings of universal Love and compassion. It draws influence from the current state of the world as much as it does from everyday life. As we witness rising poverty, global events, political and ethnic divisions - these factors prompt some of Reginald’s themes and call for humanity to recognise we are all interconnected.

“We are all related. We're all brothers and sisters with common ancestry, common history and a common origin regardless of race, geographic location or belief systems. Love and compassion are universal feelings/practices we all should embrace and apply to all aspects of our lives, our interactions and our relationships, regardless of the kinship”.