“The Rub” is a Brooklyn based musical duo comprised of DJ Ayres and DJ Eleven. These two are the original founders of the monthly sweaty smart music dance party cleverly titled “The Rub”, held at The Bell House in NYC for over a decade. These days the party has developed into a launching pad for up and coming artists with unprecedented originality to move records and build an audience of like minded listeners looking for modern music with a foundation in disco, hip hop, funk and soul.
With that in mind, they recently released their first original EP through T&A Records, home to the true anomolies in the electronic music industry. With sounds that range from sensual electro soul that rivals Portishead’s “Glory Box” to smooth undulating 808s reminiscent of Ryan Hemsworth’s “Summertime Sadness” remix, this album truly has a beat or a voice for every music lover to connect with.
“Feel You” – featuring Misun
The first of this 4 track compilation draws the ear with a lascivious piano melody yet entertains the heart beat with a light hip hop drum percussion worthy of J. Dilla. Laced with the sultry vocals of DC’s own Misun, this song is emotive in a way that won’t erode with changes of time.
“Dutty Gyal” – featuring Natalie Storm
The second track proceeds to pick up the BPM and move far away from the baby making music we just heard toward more of a dancehall inspired bump and grind. The Rub starts by banging steel drums to a house beat and throws in scattered moombahton breakdowns for a combination akin to Major Lazer’s caribbean groove.
“Black & White” – featuring Tatiana Owens and Bigg Base
“Black & White” sees the least electronic influence of the album, bringing more of a soulful R&B and hip hop sound that roots itself deeply in the duo’s Brooklyn heritage. An homage to the classic songstress/rapper duality heard in timeless songs by groups like Lauryn Hill and The Fugees.
“At Night”
The last track on the album is appropriately tagged in SoundCloud as just “sex”. The duo takes the 808s in trap music that we all know and love and manipulates them into deep hip hop/soul that is undeniably moving.
Share On
