Sam Shepherd is a London-based artist and producer who began creating under the name Floating Points in 2008. After releasing a series of unofficial singles, he opened his own label, Eglo Records. Its label released a succession of the artist’s increasingly spacious and melodic releases. In 2015, the artist released his full-length debut “Elaenia.” The album won praise from critics and listeners for bridging the gap between danceable electronica, jazz and classical sounds. It was followed by “Reflections – Mojave Desert,” a short film and accompanying soundtrack that was shot in the American desert. In the fall of 2019, Ninja Tune released “Crush,” an album full of advanced, aggressive electronica with influences from IDM and UK Garage. In 2020, his joint release with American jazz legend Pharoah Sanders and The London Symphony Orchestra (“Promises”) saw the light of day. He has also created soundtracks for ballet (“Mere Mortals” with San Francisco Ballet) and anime (“Lazarus” for Adult Swim). It would seem that Shepherd is leaving the dance floor for good. However, the esteemed producer’s latest album, “Cascade,” is a sort of sequel to “Crush,” full of dancefloor rhythms and shredded melodies, charming a room full of dancing people with an accelerated pulse.
Inspiration came from, among other things, his growing-up years spent exploring clubs and record stores in Manchester. Nearly a decade after the release of “Elaenia,” Shepherd discovered ways to seamlessly blend his experiments in film and ambient music with beats meant for the dance floor. The result is a magnificent sonic abyss in which one can get lost time and time again. This is the mind-expanding and emotion-cleansing power of electronic music in all its forms. The music is supported by fluid images created by Tokyo-based artist Akiko Nakayama, known for her “Alive” paintings.
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