Buzz on December 7th, 2012

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Maximum Hedrum is the brainchild of new-media renaissance man Sam Spiegel, whose impressive resumé as a producer includes overseeing the Yeah Yeah Yeahs’ Grammy-nominated “Show Your Bones.” In 2009, Spiegel himself came to prominence as an artist, founding alternative hip-hop duo N.A.S.A. Likely a tribute to Spiegel’s talents as a producer, some of his most elite (and surely appreciate) clientele appeared on N.A.S.A.’s debut LP, “The Spirit of Apollo,” including Kanye West, George Clinton, M.I.A., Tom Waits, RZA, and David Byrne. Maximum Hedrum replicates N.A.S.A.’s distinctive blend of hip-hop underscored by electronica, only ditching the rap for funk. Looking to form an electro-funk outfit, Spiegel enlisted Brazilian thrash/metal group Sepultura’s lead vocalist and guitarist Derrick Green, as well as electro-pioneer Harold Faltermeyer. A former protege of the great Giorgio Moroder among other things, Faltermeyer is best known for masterfully matching imagery with synthpop, doing for movies what Jan Hammer did for television in the 1980s. Harder and hazier than material from current electro-funk practitioners such as Crazy P, Hot Toddy and Sinkane, “Keep In Touch” reunites Spiegel with George Clinton. Occasionally glitchy and partially impaired by a layer of electrostatic, Clinton’s vocals are used perfectly, always squealing to life at just the right moment. Perhaps most important when undertaking any funky endeavor is the bass line, and “Keep In Touch” will lasso you in instantly with something bouncy and enduring despite the ever-present white noise. The chemistry between Faltermeyer and Derrick Green is apparent and yet another nod to Spiegel’s production instincts, as this seemingly avant partnership has yielded something hard, fast and soulful. The forthcoming self-titled LP is due March 5.

||| Download: “Keep In Touch” (featuring George Clinton) and “Synthesize”, by “liking” on Facebook: