Embarking on his musical journey way back in 1995 with self-released debut ‘Headz Ain’t Ready’, Russian trailblazer DJ Vadim has been one of the hardest working underground producers and performers on the planet ever since. Following three highly successful hip hop LPs on the brilliant Ninja Tune label, Vad first joined the BBE family in 2007, finding a perfect home for the unique, genre-blending new sounds he had been developing.
Brilliantly summed up by allmusic.com as “dubwise soul”, Vadim premiered his reggae-infused new style on BBE with critically acclaimed album ‘The Soundcatcher’. In the decade since, Vadim has delivered a solo album every two years on BBE, whilst simultaneously touring the world with regular collaborators Pugs Atomz and Sabira Jade as The Electric. From 2009’s U Can’t Lurn Imaginashun, through 2012’s Don’t Be Scared, to 2014’s Dubcatcher and 2015’s Grow Slow (a collaboration with vocalist Sena), it’s been an absolute joy for us here at BBE to hear Vad’s sound develop and blossom whilst desperately trying to keep up with the man’s astonishingly prolific output.
Ten years since we first met Vad, he’s back with another brilliant album, this time in tandem with American soulstress Katrina Blackstone.