It may be cheapening the art and coarsening the discourse when all we have to say about a record is mf, this is dope but mf, this is dope. Roberta is not a deity, I presume she has many abandoned projects deemed unsatisfactory but when it comes to her public discography, she hasn’t missed. “Your Touch” is a worthy follow-up to Brooklyn Ave Sessions on Worldship Music, Reaching Out on NDATL and IM-004 and IM-006 on James Duncan‘s Innermoods. James Duncan (who in the interest of disclosure writes occasional reviews for 5 Mag) comes along as a trumpet-playing sideman on Your Touch which returns to Roberta’s home label, Night Moves.
“Your Touch” leads off with the title track — a six and a half minute uptown séance with a mesmerizing sway and vocals deep in the pocket. Lovingly sparse piano keys prep the canvas for Duncan’s muted brass. It’s hypnotic for the mind, a narcotic for the body — a beautiful afterhours jam session.
On the B side it’s another fuzzy, jazzy piece, with keys evocative of the gentle tone of the dearly departed Ahmad Jamal. I love instrumental solos in dance music, and those keys and dusty snares open up the space for a virtuoso vibraphone solo that is hard to beat. Another EP of captivating deep house from an artist at an absolute peak.
⚪️ Tracklisting
Roberta: Your Touch (ft. James Duncan) (Night Moves / 12" Vinyl / May 2023)
A1. Roberta: "Your Touch" (6:38)
B1. Roberta: "All The Things" (5:11)
⚪️ Disclosure Statement
This record was not submitted as a promo.
⚪️ Previous Coverage
⚪️ Worldship Music drops a V/A for the ages (2022)
⚪️ Roberta’s Brooklyn Ave Sessions is giving us life this year (2022)
⚪️ Essential Roberta tracks on the essential NDATL (2020)
5 Mag Issue 207
Out Now
TIME CAPSULE: This was originally published in 5 Mag Issue #207 featuring Joyce Muniz’s Zeitkapsel, Fred Everything, how to save a landmark, the AI that is eating streaming alive, Conrad Colson, LF System and more. Help keep our vibe alive and our shine bright by becoming a member for $2/month and get every issue in your inbox right away!
