We’ll guarantee that this sparkler of an album will be the soundtrack of many a party over the next few months.

It doesn’t matter what kind of party—house, garden, tea, or political. Katalyst’s Deep Impressions will be hanging about, effortlessly mixing with the finger food (crisps), liquor and smoke of countless late nights and sludgy mornings.

Even in the cold light of that unforgiving early sun, as you’re waiting, trembling for the solace of a minicab to rescue you; as you avoid the soul-sapping glances of the Sunday worshipper and smug-sneakered jogger, you can find strength in whistling a choice phrase from, say, ‘Ready to Drop’ or the Anita Harris-aping ‘Clapping Song’.

Deep Impressions will be your party friend and your protector. Were it up to me, I’d market it just as such.

A bit of brief background: Sydney-based Ashley Anderson (aka Katalyst) has been producing since the mid-90s, and had his first release as a solo artist on the internationally respected, Dope on Plastic-compilation. 2002 saw the release of his debut album Manipulating Agent on INVADA Records, and in 2007 he released the long-awaited follow up album What’s Happening on BBE.

Katalyst went on to form a group with Steve Spacek called Space Invadas, and has also just finished a project is with Geoff Barrow from Portishead.

This long player is complete fun-ness, simple, and without pretence. I can think of no situation it wouldn’t fit—except perhaps a funeral, pet or human; unless specifically requested, it might be a touch upbeat.

As whole there is a great mixture of styles, with hip hop, reggae, soul, electronic whathaveyous, jazz, and funk all getting a look in, but the mix rarely seems laboured or forced. The Australian producer also appears to have a great knack for picking his guests, with Kween G, Stephanie Mckay, Steve Spacek and Booty Brown, among others, all getting to stick their tuppence worth in to very satisfying ends.

You should be checking for the summer-sound, club-friendly ‘Ready to Drop’ with Kween G, or ‘Black Dragon’, which features Mr Clean, a slippery tune with a showy brass segment, totally ace, or the reggaefied ‘Day into Night’ with Stephanie McKay. Party on.

words Barry Smyth

——-

BBE website
Katalyst website