Dejaý Vanyfox [SBM] - "Entra Na Roda"

An out of place white man walks past a jazz funeral in New Orleans; incidentally, not an comic set-up alternative to the powerless clergymen arriving at a local watering hole once again. At any rate, it is not the sight that matter. The following actions, though, are of concern. Our man, still walking, does not exit the scene just yet. Just before the conspicuous Eric Stoner reaches the end of the block, thus able turn the corner past the cemetery, a young black child stops him and asks for one one game. Stoner obliges the request. Each participant tosses a quarter towards the wall: the object being to get as close as possible to the brick without a clash. Alas the little kid tastes the bitter superfood of defeat once more and as a consolation he receives some words of wisdom from the best up-and-coming poker talent in the United States, "You're just not ready for me yet."

What follows is not about the New Orleans musical tradition. Likewise, the discussion below has nothing to do with playing cards at all. Regardless, consider fifteen-year old Dejaý Vanyfox to be Stoner's young opponent. A fringy producer free of proper association and out of Lisbon proper, despite the low-key profile, this DJ does have the make-up of a high-stakes, renegade gambler. A youthful incorrigibility reverberates through a Vanyfox beat; which is to say emulation is present but any concern with the "proper" way of operating has yet to stick. In the meantime, this independent composer knows the desired sound and knows how to create it. The result is often times indefatigable kuduro with traditional melodic choices; nothing more nothing less and never disguised. Collaborations occur at random but tend to gravitate around an enclave of similarly aged independent producers. Ultimately, capability is not the issue - that much is certainly present.

"Entra na Roda" is one such piece of evidence. In contrast to prior releases, Vanyfox begins with the beat outwards rather than from the melody inwards. A drum, a scraper and the sound of a gasp provide the foundation. But the young card shark has a trick to debut, overenthusiastically or not, before the introduction concludes. After :10 the scraper disappears, opening a void some woodblocks are willing to fill; and all the while the vocals have become more frequent. As soon as the listener notices the hi-hat the drum fill cues the song proper. With the beat re-introduced in the context of the bass "Entra Na Roda" becomes undeniably kuduro, fast and fearless. Suddenly a two-bar melodica run becomes the key to the track's run, as the more subtle percussive elements provide credence to altered rhythm in a louder environment. What also bears mentioning is that following the loop a walking synthesizer sound creates an effect not unlike Pacman at a buffet. But "Entra Na Roda" is more than novelty; in it the audience can hear and appreciate that Vanyfox's understanding of the music and mastering of the technology to create it is ongoing.  He might still be told, ""You're just not ready for me yet," but that time is bound to come.

- John Noggle