Shapeshifter are a live dance music act hailing from New Zealand, comprising of drums, synthesizers, keyboards, guitar, horns, percussion, samples and vocals. These are all used together live – and on stage creates a totally unique and electrifying experience. The group’s recorded work has also won them widespread acclaim and accolades. Pushing the boundaries to different genre’s of dance music like drum & bass, breakbeat, hip-hop and even relaxing lounge beats. Their new album, Soulstice, captures all these elements and makes for an amazing listening experience.

The group started in New Zealand in 1999 – four students who wanted to push and influence the electronic music culture and transform it into a completely live performance. They quickly gained recognition and toured the country with acts like Salmonella Dub, King Kapisi and Pitch Black. From 2002 to 2004 they grew more with the addition of vocalist P. Digsss becoming a full-time member and released numerous singles worldwide, and also performed at various Summer Festivals such as the “Big Day Out”, “Roots Festival” and “Phat Outdoors” showcasing their musical talent.

Their new album, Soulstice contains traces of Drum and Bass, Hip Hop, Chill Out and downright funky material. Opening on the album, “New Day Come” is an uplifting vocal drum and bass track, with funky beats, great rhymes and a hypnotizing bassline.

Probably my favourite track off the album follows and one of my favourite drum and bass tracks of all time is “In the Rain” featuring one of New Zealand’s hottest vocalists, Ladi6. A romantic song with strings, trumpets and flutes – overlayed with a brilliant breakbeat and bassline. I cannot wait for this track to come out on vinyl for my own personal collection.

Following that comes the very chilled and relaxed vocal track “Earth” and of course another amazing track – “Bring Change”. It starts off as a Hip Hop beat slowly progressing into a strong drum and bass structure – with hypnotising lyrics by P Digsss. The album then digresses into the super-funky, “Electric Dream” influenced by 80’s electro-pop synths, stabs and keyboard all over a breakbeat and uplifting vocals.

The journey carries on with the hip-hop track “Southern Lights” with a funky beat and rhymes going into soulful vocals and the darker more sinister drum and bass track “Stryka”. Another favourite of mine off the album is “One”, with beautiful piano leads, and once again, amazing vocals by Digsss.

The last two tracks off the album, “The Ride” and “Summer Haze” provide a more chilled atmosphere for their listeners - great to listen to in a lounge to start off that good vibe to party or relax.

Soulstice has to be one of the most amazing, musical and soulful break-beat influenced albums. If you enjoy drum & bass, soul and hip hop this album is a must have for your collection. Shapeshifter have also announced the Australia Tour and will be in Perth for the Ministry of Sound Festival at Club Capitol on Sunday, the 3rd of June.

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Tracklist:
1. New Day Come
2. In The Rain Feat Ladi6
3. Earth
4. Bring Change
5. Electric Dream
6. Equinox
7. Southern Lights Feat Kye
8. Heat Of The Moment Feat Kye
9. Stryka
10. One
11. Ride
12. Summer Haze