Gaddy - Tabernacle Takeover

Art: Diego Zion

The southern battle-waxer Gaddy continues to spearhead his brand of hip-hop fusion in Tabernacle Takeover. This fully packed EP wraps up brazen low-end and broken rhythms into a stereophonic one-inch-punch.

Bass lines slice in and out of the beat in tandem with tight, bright percussion skittering across the stereo space. Each song slides into place across the album like a smooth lattice, ramping up in groove, swagger, and intensity from start to finish, channeling the vibe of late night L-rides and the stirred silica blowing off of city sidewalks.

There's no substitute for being in the pocket, and Gaddy has a firm monopoly on pocketed rhythms across the hip-hop spectrum.

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Gaddy - Foodtruck Fugitive

Art: Only Motif

The Houston-born beats archivist Gaddy returns to The Rust Music with another sidewalk-stomping project, the five-track Foodtruck Fugitive. Approaching electronic music via the back-door of hip-hop, Gaddy possesses one of the most refreshing sounds in alternative electronic music, a beautiful blend of urban Americana and semi-psychedelic bass that sounds both rough and refined on this release.

With Foodtruck Fugitive Gaddy builds out his beats into fully-fledged compositions that have smooth edges, dark corners, and wide horizons. One minute you’re cooling and rocking a sensual head-nod with some lurky sampled strings. The next minute your mind is gyrating hither and thither, tumbling inside a crashing wave of cerebral bass. After honing in on the essence of his groove, Gaddy takes risks and has fun with it. This calculated yet care-free approach creates music with wide appeal, perfect for pounding the pavement or for spacing out.

Here is something new for hip-hop heads, and something fresh for electronic fans. And if you listen close enough, you can almost hear the sense of humor of the foodtruck fugitive himself, slinging jokes, tacos, and fat bass beats from behind the fryers.

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Gaddy - Mixtape Mentality

Art: KnowMatter

A kick, snare and killer bassline is all Gaddy needs to get the bodies moving. The young man from Austin, Texas by way of Houston knows these fundamental musical elements like the back of his hand. On Mixtape Mentality a seven-track release that straddles the line between EP and LP, they serve as the foundation for experiments in groove. The common denominator is a steady head nod, and the rest is up for interpretation.

Many musicians blur the line between what is and isn’t electronic music. Gaddy was unaware the line existed. As a musician, he’s rooted in archetypal American sounds like hip-hop, rock, and soul. Instrumental samples from guitar and keys are leveraged as much as synthesizers or sound design. Both are given enough space on Mixtape Mentality to mingle and form strong bonds with one another. Tastefully tuned sub-bass generates enough weight to flex sound systems and ignite dance floors. At the same time, elusive pads and smoke-filled arrangements create a relaxing swing to keep the atmosphere activated after the party’s over.

Gaddy’s released a string of EPs and singles before with labels relevant to the underground electronic sound. But now there’s no more messing about. His creative energy is focused singularly on expanding the groove. He’s in a mixtape mentality and everything is fair game as long as it starts with a sidewalk-stomping beat.