Top Ten: Arp Frique hand picks his late summer essentials chart
The Rotterdam-based fusionist serves ten joyous picks to see out the summer in style
We’ve admired the work of Niels Nieuborg’s kaleidoscopic Arp Frique project since we first copped a listen to 2017’s ultra-infectious ‘Nos Magia’, a rousing odyssey into rhythm that arrived via the ever-reliable Rush Hour camp. A few short years later, we caught the band’s spellbinding performance at Wonderfruit, and when the recent album teaser ‘Nyame Ye’ landed last month, we fell in love all over again. The glorious fusion of Cape Verdian vivacity and pristine Dutch production gloss combine wondrously, as Mariseya’s soul-searing vocal is indelibly etched into our subconscious. Already one of our favourite records of the year (though we’re still awaiting delivery for this one), the single is a tantalising precursor to forthcoming album ‘The Seed’, which is scheduled for release in late September. Since we’re reluctant to wait until then to hear more from Arp Frique, we got in touch to ask for a bespoke top ten list, and the tunes selected are every bit as magnificent as we’d hoped.
Hugo Moolenaar - Children Children
“I think my favourite new old track at the moment. Singing about children, of the future, gets me anyway but the groove, the synths, I mean, what more could you wish for?”
The Zenmenn - Flags of the world (Live in Germany)
“Love this band, one of my new favorites, especially live, hope to see them sometime soon. Great sound aesthetics.”
Amajika - Got My Magic Working
“Out soon, drum computer proper use with hard-hitting beat, kids making amazing stuff. Hard melts and feet move.”
Parbleu - Venùs S'Endort Et Moi Avec Elle
“New and fresh and exactly the sound I love. So much respect for this clan. We have something cooking, can’t say too much about it yet.”
Loveshadow - Tableaux Vivant
“One of my favourite labels, Music From Memory, and they keep doing it. More stuff you never heard of and it’s hot again. Great surprises on the whole album.”
Mamaki Boys - Kagani Kagani (official music video remastered 2021)
“Another label that never seems to disappoint with a new release with some fresh twists from another decade, fire.”
Al-Dos Band - Confusion (Official)
“And while we are at it, check out Kalita Records, steady stream of hard hitters, this one is again irresistible.”
Mu Project - Asia Dream
“Re-issue that gets to me. Cold and warm and hard to pinpoint. We need more of this stuff in the here and now.”
Illnoledge | The Champion | Homegrown
“Long time ago, I worked a lot with Steve Hartley, one half of this group. Beyond talented and the most amazing bass player and singer I heard in a long time, here together with his brother, love this song so much.”
Eric Clapton - This Has Gotta Stop (Official Music Video)
“Now, I know this is an odd one so I saved it for the end, and I don’t really like the song that much, but what he is doing here is vital. Music used to be a way to speak to the people and this old man is one of the very few with the balls to actually do it in this day and age.”
Huge thanks and abundant love to Arp Frique for this inspiring list. We hope you got as much pleasure from it as we did here at CTHQ.
Arp Frique ‘Nyame Ye’ is out now, you can buy it here
