RISING – Quadron

Recently Kenton Slash Demon listed these guys as one of their favourite artists they were listening to in our 21 Sauces Of Inspiration feature.

We should listen to K.S.D. more often, this new Danish neo-soul duo are simply spectacular. Nothing short of being one of the more fresher and innovative artists we’ve heard for a while. Some of you might be aware of the highly addictive, hit-in-the waiting "Pressure".

A blast of fresh air, lilting piano rolls and ‘shoo up, shoo up’ vocals. A soothing pop gem that brings out the sun even in the snowy peaks of Denmark. It reminds us of the same slow-build Aloe Blacc had with his smash hit, "I Need A Dollar".

The true talent of Quadron comes from the meek and truly soulful voice of Coco Malaika, an undeniable heavyweight when it comes to giving a song shine; she possesses a hugely expressive voice way beyond her years.

You can list any of these muses Jill Scott, Erykah Badu and Lauryn Hill but you still would be missing the overt point of this group. They are trying to take this music that comes from a whole different place. Like a regenerated genre with Quadron spearheading the ship.

Some of the tunes are extremely uplifting, "Buster Keaton” picking up cues from every soul or Motown record from history then there are others that are as sad as you can possibly imagine, like "Far Cry".

"Horse" is a defining point on the record, as much as it is Scandinavian, it’s like Aretha Franklin fronting Prefab Sprout. Just odd, but it works somehow. The highlight of the record is "Day", it’s so enriching, and poignant, the string section in the chorus just kills me.

Quadron somehow found their careers opening up on other side of the Atlantic instead of back in Denmark. A DJ at influential radio station KCRW heard it played it, it went Top 10 at their station this then led them signing to the Los Angeles label, Plug Research, whose roster includes Bilal, Dntel, Flying Lotus, Daedelus and more.

So in the story that is Quadron there are already heavy cues leading them to serious success. Robin Braun already cites Pharrell Williams (N.E.R.D.) and James Murphy (LCD Soundsystem) as big fans.

Robin has also collaborated with Aloe Blacc, Om mas Keith, Buraka Som Sistema, Wally Badarou (Talking Heads, Level 42), Erick Sermon and others.

Coco and her cohort Robin have made a debut record that keeps on giving and giving. Truly astonishing stuff, this is a soul train that isn’t stopping anytime soon.

Stay tuned for a remix EP of their single "Average Fruit" next month.

Published February 28, 2011.