Ben Mi Duck – Stepping Back

The next scheduled for release on Treble O Records comes from Ben Mi Duck. Ben came to our attention through plays on Gilles Peterson, Benji B and gossip on the 4hero message board. The Ben Mi Duck myspace contained 4 beautiful songs which neither Gilles or Benji played, seemingly from a finished LP entitled ‘Patterns’.



Upon further investigation it seems that Ben had made this album as part of his university degree in Coventry. The lush strings and horns, live drums, sweet soul vocals and jazz harmonies sounded a very accomplished (and expensive) production. But Ben had cleverly achieved it all in term time utilising Uni facilities and colleagues. Having moved from Derby to join the RAF, Ben found music calling him at Coventry University 3 years ago. This project gave him a pass for his degree in music composition in May 2007, and it is clear why.



In Bens words “‘Patterns’ is an exercise in changing the root note underneath a repeating instrumental chord sequence, and the combination of the material in different time signatures” And ‘Stepping Back’ “a vocal track written about the feeling of not achieving what you’d like to, and how to start to accept it.” Both are deeply emotional and original pieces of organic modern jazz music, worthy of comparison to 4hero ‘2 Pages’ era.



DJ support has come from Dego 4hero, Ras Kwame, Gilles Peterson, Benji and Domu. We are sure many more supporters of just good music will give it props upon its release!