Nikitch, Alexis Moutzouris - II (2024) [Hi-Res]

French DJ, producer, and musician Nicolas Morant, aka Nikitch, joins forces with composer, clarinettist, and saxophonist Alexis Moutzouris on their debut EP ‘II’. The pair decided to call the project “II” (“deux” in French) to denote their creative collaboration.

The six-track EP showcases compelling melodies that interweave the ethereal tones of flute, saxophone, and clarinet into a unified voice, while dynamic rhythms pulsate and synthesisers delve into the intricacies of darkened chord progressions. Nikitch's electronic compositions seamlessly integrate with Alexis Moutzouris' melodious contributions, resulting in a cohesive musical narrative.

“Here, the body surrenders to the dance's call, and the mind escapes through the music” Nikitch & Alexis Moutzouris

Beginning with a simple clarinet riff “Sans Titres” immediately sets a vast and airy stage for what's to come on ‘II’. “Hugo (Part 1)” introduces a rhythmic turn reminiscent of South American clave rhythms. At the same time, deep basslines weave harmony and rhythm into a hypnotic and introspective incantation, gradually giving way to subtle Rhodes chords drowned in delay.

“Ouroboros” delves into the heart of the matter, driven by brisk, fast-paced basslines that heighten tension, while the broken beat rhythm intensifies. “Oceans (Live)” introduces light-inspired sounds as new instruments that gently guide the listener back towards tranquility. The tempo accelerates, and “The Sky Darkens” with the dense harmonies of “Virga”, where rhythm hits harder and the synthesiser unfolds, threatening acid-like arpeggios, until the flute and saxophone transform the landscape. “Hugo (Part 2)” returns the ear to the original experimental tone of the EP, described as “A final gaze into the fertile depths of chaos sonic creation” Nikitch & Alexis Moutzouris

Starting as a classical musician, Nikitch switched gears to hone his craft as a DJ and producer, carving his signature sound early on with jazz and electronic music influences. He quickly gained support from notable names like Laurent Garnier and Gilles Peterson. Nikitch's musical endeavours include two albums, ‘Débuts’ and ‘Back and Forth’, released alongside partner Kuna Maze on Tru Thoughts. Alongside these collaborations, Nikitch has explored solo projects, including his debut album 'Chromatism' on Casamance (2021), as well as partnerships with other artists such as rapper Grems and singer-songwriter Andreya Triana, all contributing to the refinement of his distinctive sound.

Alexis Moutzouris, hailing from Greece, has been co-leading the Marthe act since 2017. Marthe has seen international acclaim, with over a hundred concerts since its inception. Heading various ensembles, Alexis Moutzouris infuses his compositions with diverse global influences and collaborates with esteemed artists such as Thomas de Pourquery, Mike Ladd, Angeliki Pardali, Kaliroï Raouzeou, Bacem Yousfi and Djemdi, among others.

Influenced by the likes of Ezra Collective and R+R=Now from the UK Jazz scene, the duo fuse flute, saxophone, and clarinets into a unified voice on debut EP ‘II’. The rhythmic palette of Nikitch's electronic music seamlessly intertwines with the enchanting melodies of Alexis Moutzouris, creating a cohesive musical narrative.

Tracklist:
1.01 - Nikitch - Sans Titres (3:07)
1.02 - Nikitch - Hugo (Part 1) (2:12)
1.03 - Nikitch - Ouroboros (3:18)
1.04 - Nikitch - Ocean (Live) (2:29)
1.05 - Nikitch - Virga (3:40)
1.06 - Nikitch - Hugo (Part 2) (2:58)