Higher Ground

Young Ax

Santorin Records

Published 03.05.08


Berliner Young Ax, aka Alexander Zwingenberger, brings together jazz, soul and plenty of funk in his full-length drum and bass album “Higher Ground.” Composed of previously released and new material, “Higher Ground’s” tracks swim together to make a cohesive album, rather than a collection of singles with a few new tunes thrown in for good measure.

The two highlight tracks of the album are arguably “U Got It” and “Bright Nite,” recently released together as a single. Both tracks sound fresh and hard-hitting with dance-ready, jungle inspired breakbeats, warm, rolling basslines and are spiced with all kinds of funk. Both of these tracks make for fine mid-set floor destroyers.

However, Young Ax has more in store for eager listeners.

From beginning to end “Higher Ground’s” mood changes, not according to whim, but by design of its jazz-funk-soulness.

Young Ax's transitions and mixtures between harmonic, organic flavors to crunchy, often tricky beats paint a musical landscape of urban disassociation and resurrection through music and dance.

These moves between the “dark” and “light” sides of drum and bass in “Higher Ground” are probably best represented by the aptly titled track “Both Sides,” which serves as a Rosetta stone for what holds the album together.

Though initially an eerie, ominous and slightly lo-fi chase through solid drum patterns, listeners are quickly and beautifully lifted to a place where warmed buzz-bass and hard beats play side by side with jazzy organ riffs.

Other tracks, such as “Something Wonderful,” begin airy and jazzy, but turn menacing as the beat drops in while maintaining a clear and calculated balance of heavy beats and organic elements.

Meanwhile, these kinds of previously mentioned tracks are offset by jump up and liquid funk inspired pop tracks designed to keep your feet moving faster than your head.

Whether at home on your headphones, in your car, on your turntables, or on the dance floor, listeners are offered plenty in this full-length release.

Young Ax takes a stand on “Higher Ground” — as the album seems to prove that dance-floor ready tracks can live side-by-side with more complex material.