Benny Tones is highly regarded as a professional sound engineer and is the official sound tech for Electric Wire Hustle. He operates his own studio, Organik Muzik Workz, and has engineered for acts including Julien Dyne & Pacific Heights. His new album, Chrysalis, was five years in the making - and the wait was certainly worth it.

Chrysalis features a diverse host of vocal and instrumental collaborations including EWH's Mara TK, Taay Ninh & Myele Manzanza, Shapeshifter's Devin Abrams & Sam Trevethick, Rio Hemopo, Joe Dukie, Isaac Aesili, Adi Dick & LA's Shihan the Poet among others.

This is a true labour of love rather than an album banged out to make a fast buck.

Some of the highlights on this album include:

'On My Way' which is a collaboration with fellow Electric Wire Hustle members Taay Ninh, Myele Manzanza and Mara TK. Originally scheduled to be marketed as an Electric Wire Hustle track, it was left off the album. Tones took it, altered it and it works really well with the other tracks on the album.

'Nevermind' was the first track created for the album and as such set the tone for the tracks that followed. This reminded me of early Stevie Wonder tracks.

'Chrysalis' was the last track to be written for the album, so is the most up to date musically for where Tones is currently. There's a spacey feel to this, with some interesting sci-fi effects.

There's much to be praised here, and soul and electronica fans will be in their element.

7

Nick Smithson