Tessela – Hackney Parrot

Label: Poly Kicks

A few times a year, a tune will take the UK scene by storm, garnering obsessive Youtubers commenting on clumsy rips and desperate DJs hoping the hype hasn’t died out by the time the track sees an official release. The latest addition to the canon comes in the form of Hackney Parrot, a belter cooked up by Ed Russell, who many will know as tough-edged percussionist Tessela. While a delayed release may serve to build anticipation, it also has the undesirable effect that a killer track has been completely rinsed by the big names by the time it comes out, but Russell has admirably side-stepped this landmine. He told RA last month that after he sent the tune out to a few labels, “there were a number of hold ups for various reasons and I decided that the only way I could make it happen how I’d like is if I put the music out myself.” If only more producers would take such a democratic approach; respect is due to Tessela for letting the monster out of the cage early for everyone to play with.

Hackney Parrot / Helter Skelter

And what a monster it is: Hackney Parrot has all the hallmarks of a classic. Sweltering breaks are twinned with an unstoppable diva vocal loop, and a sugar-sweet, bleary-eyed breakdown of soft pads and sweeping strings. If you’ve been out over the last six months, you’ve probably already heard it, and you’ll know what a dangerous weapon this one is on the dancefloor. It’s Tessela’s uncanny knack for anticipation and release that makes this one though, after it's dropped the dancers will never want it to end. While Russell could probably tack anything on the back and this 12” would sell out, he offers a worthwhile diversion on B-side Helter Skelter, where a staccato run of breakbeats conjure dirtier warehouse vibes, accompanied by the canny late-entry of a descending mechanical synth run, all broken up nimbly by swift reggae drumrolls. With Hackney Parrot 2013 has its first proper banger, and its fitting that it should come courtesy of one the UK’s most distinctive fresh talents.

8/10