Rukaiya Russell – Return From Miramar EP

South London’s Rukaiya Russell returns to her own imprint, RuRu Records, with a new three tracker that is typically fresh and lovable. It is named after a recent trip to Havana, Cuba and is her third on the label.

Russell has been doing her do for a while now, and includes Gilles Peterson (who had her guest on his show) as a fan. She has also released on his Brownswood label as well as many others like CDR, has had BBC Radio 6 and Capital Xtra air play and operates on the funkier end of the spectrum. She impresses once again with this latest EP, which offers up dance music with a real sense of personality and charm

Opener ‘Return From Miramar’ is a classic summery dance track with lively pianos, funked up drums that make for a loose limbed groove and lots of soul infused vocals. It’s feel good, fulsome and hugely colourful.

‘Moving’ is a smooth, shuffling vocal track with complex drum and percussive patterns cutting up a fantastic rhythm. The vox are dreamy and sensuous, and the overall vibe, complete with humid chords, is one of late night romance.

Finally, ’Ever Synth Then’ is inspired by the late 80s and early 90s house that emerged in the UK when Rukaiya first came to love electronic music. It has spiralling, freeform neon chords darting about all over the place, with slapping hits and whirring stabs all making for a gentle kinetic sense of energy that really makes you want to move.

This third EP from Rukaiya Russell is her best yet and should win her many more fans around the world, both those in the booth and those on the other side.