The Ashen Tang

The London-based producer broadens modern R&B’s possibilities on a questing debut. Opener “Remembrance (Part I)”’s collision of 16th-century poetry and twitchy alt-funk establishes the range and ambition of his ideas before he seeds wub-wub bass into gentle folk on “Midas Palm” and coaxes the sexually-frustrated funk of “Honeydripper“ into electronica and jazz. Such eclecticism can be disconcerting but Royce Junior’s old-school belief in vivid melodies and soulful vocals ensures *The Ashen Tang* is consistently engaging.

London singer-songwriter-producer artfully blends new school electronic production with old school charm on a record that's equal parts dense and cerebral as well as campy and fun.

London singer-songwriter-producer artfully blends new school electronic production with old school charm on a record that's equal parts dense and cerebral as well as campy and fun.