Singles + EPs

Single Review: Ebenus

[Single: Afterparty]
[Label: Unsigned]

‘Afterparty’ is the new single from UK R&B funk maestro, Ebenus. He comes from South London and has recently made the jump from producer to artist. He both wrote and produced this track, demonstrating a man who feels he has been in the background for far too long. He cites legendary artists such as Prince, James Brown, Stevie Wonder, and Michael Jackson as influences. Along with that esteemed bunch he has also absorbed inspirations from hip-hop, classical, contemporary R&B and dance. It certainly seems that Ebenus can talk the talk, but as the saying goes, can he walk the walk?

Well, to be honest, this track gives points for either side. It begins with a simple mid-tempo electronic beat with Ebenus singing the main lyrics of the song, namely “Afterparty”, pretty much repetitively after that. There is a funky bassline, and 70s-style synth that accompanies the vocal and beat. The track is really up-tempo and certainly brings a smile to your face. You can definitely imagine either chilling out to the song in a trendy London bar, or even getting those dancing feet moving in a nightclub.

Where the track falls down for me is that it’s just not really pushing any boundaries or breaking new ground. The reason the track works in a trendy bar is it’s simplicity. It wouldn’t grab your attention as being anything special nor would it as being particularly bad. It’s a non-impact song that I’m afraid won’t help Ebenus stand-out from an already saturated market.

That said, he does have an album out shortly and, with the artistic freedom that will allow him, we may see a different side to Ebenus. With the wide range of influences he has, coupled with his extensive production experience, he certainly has the background to come up with an album that can take on the R&B circuit.

For fans of: Prince, Michael Jackson, UK and US R&B
Band link = Ebenus

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