reginald omas mamode iv: rivière noire
Francisco Espregueira
Melting Pot Music’s new release re-introduces us to an important musician of our generation. Reginald Omas Mamode IV's presents Rivière Noire, an album that marks a significant rebirth and evolution for the Anglo-Mauritian vocalist, producer, and musician. While he has been instrumental in shaping the UK's contemporary beat and jazz sound, with over a decade of support from Gilles Peterson and four solo albums on Five Easy Pieces, this new LP sees him step away from sampling. Instead, Reginald performs, records, and mixes all instrument and vocal parts himself in his modest studio, crafting grooves with live drums, drum machines, various percussion instruments, guitar, Fender Rhodes, and synths. This deeply personal approach reflects his rich musical heritage, drawing influences from Golden Era Hip Hop, Jazz, Soul, Afro, Funk, Sega, and Maloya, echoing the sounds of J Dilla, D'Angelo, Sly Stone, and Lee Perry, and bridging South London with his family roots in the Mascarene Islands.
Rivière Noire delves into themes of universal love and compassion, with Reginald's music reflecting both the current state of the world and everyday life. Witnessing rising poverty, global events, and political and ethnic divisions, these factors prompt some of the album's core messages, urging humanity to recognize its interconnectedness. As he eloquently states, "We are all related. We're all brothers and sisters with common ancestry, common history and a common origin regardless of race, geographic location or belief systems. Love and compassion are universal feelings/practices we all should embrace and apply to all aspects of our lives, our interactions and our relationships, regardless of the kinship." This album, curated by the semminal Melting Pot Music imprint, is another musical mark from Reginald Omas Mamode IV, attesting to his profound artistry and his call for unity through music. Rivière Noire will drop on Friday the 18th - vinyl’s will be available.