Louis Kevin Celestin AKA Kaytranada was introduced to FL Studio when he was 15. In 2012, the Montreal-based producer posted his remix of Janet Jackson’s “If” on Soundcloud, and the world took notice. More music—a forward take on house, disco, hip-hop, r&b, funk, & disco—followed (he’s released 13 projects and 41 remixes to date), and in 2014, Kaytranada inked a deal with XL Recordings. 99.9% is the long-waited debut from Celestin, and it is a stunning body of work w/ guest appearances from A-listers: River Tiber, Craig David, AlunaGeorge, Goldlink, Vic Mensa, BADBADNOTGOOD, Phonte, Anderson .Paak & more. The first thing about the album that’ll grab your attention is how sick the drum programming is, and that starts from the the opening seconds of “Track Uno” to the last bass note of “Bullets” featuring Little Dragon. Loose, tight, shuffling and at times rigid, the rhythmic virtouosity (Rick Rubin likes “how the drums were out of place sometimes” according to K) on display is truly one of a kind. You’ll also notice the finesse with which Kaytranada works with samples: chopped, flipped, and layered, they suddenly become colorful, genre-defying musical drawings. There are also shifting tempos (“Lite Spots”) and abrupt beat switch-ups, and the album brims with details that keep the listener engaged throughout the 15 tracks. Top-notch work, highly recommended!

• black double vinyl pressing
• gatefold sleeve
• music label: XL Recordings 2016

reviewed by donut savage 07/2016

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