Rhombus Announces New Self Titled Album

Rhombus Announces New Self Titled Album

Rhombus is proud to announce the release of a self-titled album for the people of the long white cloud and beyond.

Set free Monday 6th October 2008, the third full-length Rhombus album ranges from downtempo to the crazy and insane, mashing up socially conscious lyrics with sonic oceanic beats.

Rhombus have been working it hard on the live circuit the last couple of years, winning respect for their energetic shows at home, Australia and Japan.

Back in the studio crafting the new album the Rhombus dub scientists injected this atom smashing vibe into their South Pacific brew of dub n’ bass, hip-hop, soul, funk, and roots-reggae.

The Rhombus production crew comprises band founders Thomas Voyce and Simon Rycroft with Koa Williams. In addition to production, Thomas plays bass / keys and writes lyrics, Simon handles electronic tweaks, beats and dubs while Koa takes to turntable duties as DJ support for live shows.

The latest album stars stalwart Rhombus vocalists MC Antsman, MC Mana, Raashi Malik and Lisa Tomlins, together bringing a powerful and soulful voice to Rhombus. Of note, Lisa Tomlins, one of the country’s most versatile singers, delivers a killa MC debut on the aptly titled tune Prize Fighter.

Original Studio One DJ and singer Ranking Joe adds his trademark ‘Bang-Dilly’ vocal style to rub-a-dub ska track Babylon Retreat, and another Jamaican vocalist, Junior Kelly guests on soulful dancehall number Royalty.

Reflecting the Rhombus connection to Japan, Article 9 features Japanese MC’s Piyo, Ayumu, Chikau and Koursuke. The Article 9 beats were first struck somewhere between Guatemala and Mexico while the band was aboard the Japan-based global NGO Peace Boat. The vocals were then recorded between San Francisco, Hawaii and Tokyo.

The soundscape for an instrumental, Pinata, sprung to life from a selection of field recordings made when Rhombus were docked in Guatemala.

Other local collaborators on the album include Darren 'D' Mathiassen on drums, Peter Hill on guitar, Daniel Yeabsley and Lucien Johnson on sax,
Nick van Dijk on trombone and Toby Laing on trumpet. Darcy O’Brien makes an appearance on Serato cuts, scratching Rhombus session samples.
RHOMBUS – Tracklisting
1. So Close (ft. Raashi Malik)
2. Losing It (ADD) (ft. Mana)
3. Hawera (ft. Antsman and Lisa Tomlins)
4. Babylon Retreat (ft. Ranking Joe)
5. It's Like This (ft. Antsman, Mana and Raashi Malik)
6. Royalty (ft. Junior Kelly)
7. Home To Me (ft. Lisa Tomlins)
8. Pinata
9. Prize Fighter (ft. Antsman, Mana and Lisa Tomlins)
10. Beautiful Things (ft. Thomas Voyce and Raashi Malik)
11. True Meanings (ft. Antsman and Lisa Tomlins)
12. Article 9 (ft. Japan MC’s: Piyo, Ayumu, Chikau and Koursuke)

All music written, produced & engineered by Rhombus
All lyrics written & produced by featured vocalists

Additional credits / musicians
Darren Mathiassen: Drums on tracks 1, 2, 4, 9 and Congas on track 12
Peter Hill: Guitar on tracks 3, 4, 6, 8, 9, 10.
Toby Laing: Trumpet on track 4
Nick van Dijk: Trombone on track 4
Daniel Yeabsley, Lucien Johnson: Sax on track 4
Darcy O’Brien: Serato cuts on tracks 4 and 5
Raashi Malik and Jess Chambers: Backing vocals track 6

All tracks mixed at Trident and Rhombus studios, Wellington by Rhombus
Mastered at Calyx (Berlin) by Bo Kondren, May 2008
NZ Distribution by Rythmethod

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