2021 What? Soulphiction on the What What EP

Editor’s Note: This review was first published before Michel Baumann aka Soulphiction’s death or before he had revealed he was seeking treatment. For more on Soulphiction, including a fundraiser to support his family, see our piece here.

Michel Baumann loads up another record full of busy bass and bad ass beats on What What, a new EP for 18437 Records. The label is run by Tooli of Local Talk and released Baumann’s Modulation Nightdrive EP under his Jackmate alias in December, and I assume will feature both Baumann and non-Baumann related records in the future.

The lead track “Ballin'” was surely hard to keep under wraps this long though. The bassline is wild, urgent, lively and a woman says she loves you in French and then an irresistible organ lick seizes control. It works in the same vein as “French Kiss” — but you can only have one of these at a time and this is the one for right now.

There’s another great track on here, “Midi Funk,” with a bold, funky sound that brings to mind what it might have sounded like if Cameo backed Herbie Hancock and played a set at a smoky joint with a name like “Licorice Lounge.”

Soulphiction: What What EP (18437 Records / May 7 2021 / 12″ Vinyl/Digital)
1. Soulphiction: Ballin’ (07:16)
2. Soulphiction: What What ??! (06:09)
3. Soulphiction: Midi Funk (05:39)

⚪️ Disclosure Statement: This record was submitted as a promo by MIL-MGMT PR.

This was originally published in 5 Mag issue 189: #DieTrying with Josh Milan, Ashley Beedle, Terry Farley, Jackie Queens & more. Support 5 Mag by becoming a member for just $1 per issue.