Following on from the melting pot of musical virtuosity which made up his debut long player of last year, Washington based Jonathan Meacham, AKA Diggs Duke, returns with an intimately crafted collection of tracks which tell stories about courtship and intimate interactions. On this release Meacham holds up relationships’ power struggles as the subject matter of his work. It’s the focus on this theme, as well as the stripped back, pared down arrangement throughout, which has produced such a singularly realised meditation on the struggles and compromises of love.

The EP nods to his diverse range of influences, from lovelorn hip hop and R&B to the rhythms and grooves of jazz, but these allusions are always accommodated into his unique vision. His virtuosity is clearly evident in the craft underlying the musical snapshots which make up the collection. Each one focuses on one idea or experience, and every one is recognisably of his making; they all slot into place on this carefully plotted map of recollections and reflections. There is an intimacy to the arrangement of these tracks, in which the keys and synths gently interact with his simple lyrics to envelop the listener within the world of his quietly compelling storytelling. This release marks another step for him in continuing to develop his unique style which is intimate in its focus yet expansive in his ability to seamlessly incorporate his musical inspirations.

Pre-Order: http://brownswoodrecordings.bandcamp.com/album/diggs-duke-the-upper-hand-other-grand-illusions

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