Pharaohs

Pharaohs

Manhunter

Intercoastal Artists

Pharaohs (surprisingly not a surf band, considering their name and proximity to Los Angeles) cover a range of styles on their newest three-track 12-inch for Intercoastal Artists. Epic opener “Manhunter” sounds like the mutant grandchild of no-wave / “Naïve Funk” late-1970s / early-1980s New York City. Think 99 Records, Sleeping Bag or ZE, throw in some Madchester, then tiptoe past Gottsching’s E2-E4, and you’re close. If Arthur Russell (RIP) guested on this track, it wouldn’t be a surprise. The other two cuts are roughly new age, but with one distinction—the filth oozing off the sax on “Nature Lovers” is more shocking and sleazy than any Wolf Eyes track. Of course, shocking in the most serene way possible. That said, either could be a lost backing track to an early Roxy Music album. The only things missing are Bryan Ferry’s voice and Eno’s plummage. File this alongside R&S or Transmat releases, or even Blurt, Pigbag or A Certain Ratio records. More on the nose, listen to this while watching the elevator scene in Drive. Pharaohs feature Alejandro Cohen (co-founder of legendary SoCal radio station / multimedia scenemakers Dublab) and Sam Cooper alongside newest members Diego Herrera (a.k.a. Suzanne Kraft) and Casey Butler (Stellar Rahim). 2013 has already seen a flurry of Pharaohs activity: they garnered high praise for their recently released LP on 100% Silk and 12-inch on ESP, receiving nods from Pitchfork, The Fader, XLR8R, Ad Hoc, and the list continues. Manhunter is by far their furthest step forward. Seriously,...

Pharaohs

Replicant Moods

100% Silk

Not Pharaoh—one guy, one MIDI controller—but Pharaohs, plural: a dance band and magical rarity amid the lorn ’Lesis landscape of solo producers and desktop DJs.  Bunkered between an arrangement of stackable synths, the Pharaohs squad jams workshop-style, an endearing, funky, spirited live-thrive. Replicant Moods is one part airy coastal jazz, that Ibeatha-meets-Madchester baggy style the group melted soles with on their first 12-inch Uhh Uhh, and two parts sci-fi soar into the new age, complete with Philip K. Dick winks, tech-know wonks and sleek Daft Punk-choreographed boogies. A Maria Minerva guest soft spot on the ESG / Weymouth bass bust “Miraculous Feet” lends another sweet shuffle to the clone conga line of Technics tracks.  Replicant Moods is sensual—like a slinky Shakira-bot booty shake—and also considered, a nuanced composition slowly evolving into a compelling layer dip of star-stretching get-down.   PHARAOHS - MIRACULOUS FEET (SILK045) by 100% Silk

Pharaohs

Uhh Uhh

100% Silk

***Cat in the Hat hats off to mad Madchester vibes in PHARAOHS debut “Uhh Uhh.” You’ll have Happy Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays bouncing around to Pharaohs’ electric piano keys, synthetic drum pads, funky ‘80s breakdowns, and pitch shifted way down vocal samples. A lot of freaky dancing went into this jangly, baggy World Party: Dublab aesthetics, memories of Buenos Aires bootleg cassettes, wave bending in Waikiki, Suzanne arts and Kraft. Add a bit of bubbly St. Germain acid, a pinch of ‘60s extended jazz grooves, a dash of ‘80s KLF big band UK nonsense, and a touch of 94.7 fm liquid sax/velvet breath and you’ve got the deep pleasure of Pharaohs. Like nothing the SILK has seen before; taking the shiny dance floor to the warehouse cement floor, to the sandy patio floor for some hot, hot Hacienda nights.