@prodbyechln "COME AROUND" Single Ft @amarafleur Is Too Smooth

Starting the New Year afresh, Phuture Shock Musik opens up their 2022 schedule with the first in a new series of limited dubplate releases, by name of ‘Phuture Shock Dubz’. Musically, the white label series will continue in the genre-fluid spirit of the Bristol imprint, sitting somewhere in between its main output and that of its sub label EXCURSIONS.

Kicking things off is Cape-Town-based electronic soul producer ECHLN, with the track ‘Come Around’. Assisted by the vocal talents of fellow South African future soul artist Amarafleur, this sultry number affirms ECHLN’s rising status as a go-to collaborative producer and sound engineer within SA’s vibrant R&B scene. In recent years his future-facing productions have landed on Singapore’s Darker than Wax imprint and Johannesburg label Stay True Sounds, among others. Previously featured as a vinyl-only cut on last years ‘EXCURSIONS # 7’ release, ‘Come Around’ resurfaces as a single in its own right – with a 7” pressing and first-time digital outing. Alongside the original, the release is also headed up by a brand new remix from Birmingham’s (UK) indie R&B extraordinaire ROMderful.

Fronting the A-side is ROM’s remix, where he takes the track on space-age odyssey, sprinkled with cosmic synth-work, twinkling melodies and hard-knockin’ beats that evokes a Timbaland meets Purple Sound vibe of the 00s, whilst keeping Amarafleur’s alluring vox at the forefront to shine brightly across the galaxy.  On the flip is ECHLN’s sultry mid-tempo original jam; channelling the RnB of yesteryear with the present, where the velvety tones of Amarafleur strides over a sparse, electronic-infused instrumental – laced with dreamy chords, choppy guitar licks and an off-kilter bassline that tips its hat to the futuristic funk of The Neptunes, circa early 00s.