If you walk into a bar you don’t know and hear Channel Tres‘ deep voice and deeper Detroit house-meets-West Coast G-Funk sounds being spun, you know you’ve found yourself your next favourite hangout. Tres’ 2018 self-titled debut EP was a breath of fresh air for dancefloors across the world from Compton to Carlton. The LA local is back again in 2019 with ‘Black Moses’, another effortlessly groovy EP that’s worthy of high rotation.
“Orpheus” sets the scene: a sparkling, auto-tuned choir welcomes you into Channel Tres’ world. You sink into the soft leather couch of his sound, drink in hand, cigarette smoke hanging in the air.
“Brilliant N*gga” is Channel Tres’ mission statement — all scattery flutes and bouncing drums, here the wordsmith is confident, self-assured, and seductive. There’s a real jazz fusion influence on this track; it’s airy and funky. “They try and put shackles on you – girl, just try and be yourself,” he croons, as rattles shake and he asks for a drag of your Newport.
You’re hit straight away afterwards with ‘Black Moses’. Channel Tres demonstrates his willingness to mix and match disparate musical elements in the pursuit of sonic perfection: snare lines reminiscent of 90’s Snoop Dogg effortlessly mingle with French house cues. The heavier drums, polished synths, and an acerbic verse from JPEGMAFIA make this track the high point of the EP.
“Sexy Black Timberlake” is a hell of a title for a track and it doesn’t disappoint. Brimming with sensuality and Dre-like keys, I’m sure babies will be conceived to this song. Channel Tres’ obviously really feeling himself on this track but something this EP (and his music more broadly) can’t help but make you do is feel sexy as hell.
‘Raw Power’ caps off the project on a high note. If the rest of the EP makes you feel sexy, this song makes you want to dance more than any other. Its beat is infectious, Channel Tres’ echoey vocals lulling you into a state of pure bliss. “I’mma take my shirt off just like Iggy / Wave that shit around, I know you feel me,” he murmurs. And you just might. It’s that convincing.
‘Black Moses’ is a short but powerful journey, full of charisma, world-class production (thanks in no small part to Godmode’s Nick Sylvester), and most of all, fun. Channel Tres knows how to get you moving like few other artists. I seriously defy you not to try and dance to this record. Music giants like Elton John, Anderson .Paak, and Zane Lowe all point to Channel Tres as one of their new favourites. The hype is real. This EP is brilliant.
‘Black Moses’ is out Friday 16th August. In the meantime, check out the title track here:
Header image by Devyn Galindo.