Riomantic

Universo Positivo welcomes back label mainstay MDA Grooves for three jams that keep summer vibes alive. The three sophisticated tunes transport you to the global south with live percussion and sun-kissed grooves. MDA Grooves has had a hugely prolific year. He has dropped several standout EPs on this label, each one a fresh twist on his signature sound where Latin and Afro stylings collide with classy house. Across his storied career, he has also cooked up salsa, disco and cumbia, worked with a range of musicians and vocalists from Ghana and Brazil and always layers in authentic instrumentation.
This latest EP opens with 'Riomantic' which, as the name suggests, takes you to the city of splendour, Rio de Janeiro with loved-up vocals and gently swaying samba rhythms. Whistles, finger clicks and wooden hits are organic and warm as this most effortless cool cut swells your soul.
'Cristo Rei' is another busy and atmospheric sound with whistles and bird calls evoking a steamy and humid tropical jungle. The dubby drums shuffle and sway beneath a jumble of drums and serene synths that are bright and utterly uplifting.
Closer 'Caparica Sunset' for a more club-ready sound with bold drum patterns and funky bass, jazzy horns and rich layers of percussion. Another life-affirming celebration of rhythm and culture, this EP captures MDA Grooves at his finest - blending meaningful melodies, persuasive grooves and off-the-cuff improvisation into a wonderfully tropical trip.