With previous knowledge and appreciation of experimental hip-hop act dälek, this collaboration album with Charles Hayward, entitled HAYWARDxDÄLEK, piqued my attention. Admittedly I haven’t heard of Hayward, but he’s been on the go since the late 80s releasing visionary solo projects outside of being the drummer/singer in This Heat and Camberwell Now. This project has come to fruition through Samarbeta, a residency and artist development programme produced by From the Other in Salford.
The bulk of the music was recorded live in 2023 in the New Adelphi Studios at the University of Salford. Hayward improvised on drums and synthesiser while Will Brooks (aka MC dälek) played a sampler and an iPad loaded with sampling software as well as contributing some of his exemplary rapping skills. Opening track ‘Increments’ rises up as dense clouds of droning hum merge with pitter pattering drums, feels like a storm is coming. Eery drones bring an uneasy tone in ‘Between the Word and the Drum’ before MC dälek unleashes his first snarled words.
The first hefty beats drop with a clattering menace in ‘Breathe Slow’. The atmospherics are tight, and the groove has a weird shudder to it making you feel claustrophobic. ‘Salvage’ drones like tectonic plates grinding together. Thunderous drums pound while a myriad of ghostly sounds swirl. As the track winds to its conclusion the drones and drums begin to swerve with a reckless menace. ‘Antiphony’ takes a freeform approach with a splattering of drums and percussion over hovering hums. ‘Asymmetric’ is the most dälek sounding track with murky atmospherics and live drums propelling the track along with MC dälek spitting out lyrics at a breakneck pace.
For the first third of the 9-minute epic that is ‘Sojourn’ a lonesome harmonica and ethereal drones bring the first moment of calm and release. Building in volume the drums begin to pump like pistons as screeching tones fall like acid rain, before returning to the initial serenity. ‘As Children Chant’ brings a really murky atmospheric that is both terrifying and claustrophobic. It’s genuinely chilling and strikes a hefty blow to the senses when you find the children are chanting “Free Palestine”. Closing track ‘Re-Evolution’ finally unleashes some sonic fire with manic drumming and a scorching layer of drones that aim to drill into your brain. Ghostly voices swoop adding a frightening and hellish atmospheric as your senses get obliterated.
This album is not an easy listen however I don’t think this was the intent in the first place, so mission accomplished. In terms of atmospherics and sonic experimentation, it’s a startling and inventive collaboration from two creative forces.
