Ian Simmonds is back with his stunning EP ‘King’, with it comes the title track which is an epic journeying tune featuring stunning vocal samples from the Ekonda Women, harmonising with romantic guitar melodies which, when layered on top of Simmonds’ galloping clipped drums and dark bassline, creates an afro-futurism vibe. The EP features 5 tracks including an extended version of ‘King’ alongside 3 reworks from DJ Rocca, Number and Ebi Soda, and the final track ‘Women’.

This collaboration between Simmonds and the Ekonda Women came about in the late 1990s when releasing music as Juryman for crammed discs, Ian met Vincent Kenis who had just returned from the Kongo with hours of field recordings including several hours of the Ekonda women, recorded in the Bikoro district of Kinshasa. Ian asked if he could hear what he had recorded and instantly fell in love with what he heard. ‘King’ is a big collaborative project full of power and passion, finished off lovingly with the stunning cover painting by welsh artist Tony Griffin.