In September 2022, Mānuka Recordings released our debut record, a now sold-out 10” double single recorded with the Tāmaki Makaurau singer-songwriter and guitarist Summer Vaha'akolo aka Summer Vee, Key To All Your Love/Judas. After winning DJ and radio support from Scratcha DVA, Shy One, Bill Brewster, and coverage from Radio New Zealand and Dr Rob’s Ban Ban Ton Ton blog, we’re pleased to present our second record, Tell Me.
Releasing in full July 30th on limited edition 7”, Tell Me is a collaboration with Eo, a visual artist and vocalist from the extended music community surrounding Mānuka Recordings in Tāmaki Makaurau, Aotearoa (Auckland, New Zealand). Previously best known for his work in the mid-2010s hip-hop group Badcrop, Eo is a charismatic talent who approached Tell Me like an art commission.
In contrast to the classic soul, funk and boogie of Key To All My Love/Judas, Tell Me sees Mānuka Recordings founders Dylan Biscuit and Kenny Sterling search for the Balearic beat through an Antipodean lens. Starting with an improvised drum machine and synthesiser jam inspired by Dylan’s experiences partying across Europe in 2019, they brought in the in-demand woodwind player JY Lee and Eo, who helped them shape their ideas into a dreamy flute house track draped in a series of emotionally conflicted half-sung, half-rapped refrains.
On the flip of Tell Me, Kenny Sterling takes the song in a different direction through a laidback remix featuring vibraphone from Cory Champion (Clear Path Ensemble/Borrowed CS). Nudging Tell Me into a lush jazzy lounge zone, it evokes a similar sensibility to recent works from the cult UK and Californian musicians Greg Foat and John Carroll Kirby.
Tell Me is available for digital purchase, as well as limited edition 7” singles, with printed cover art created by Eo.
credits
released June 30, 2023
Produced by: Kenny Sterling & DylanBiscuit
Composers/Writers: Matthew John Hunter, Ethan Oliver King, Dylan Cook, Jong-Yun J.Y. Lee, Cory Champion
Recording & Mixing Engineer: Kenny Sterling
Vocal Recording Engineer: Eo
Vibraphone Recording Engineer: Cory Champion
Vinyl & Digital Mastering: Josh Llewellyn @ Downbeat Mastering