Emancipator at The Jazz Cafe, London

The smooth organic sounds of Douglas Appling, better know as Emancipator, has what we’ve become accustomed to ever since his 2006 debut LP ‘Soon It Will Be Cold Enough’. Taking you through a journey of the mind, built with peaceful soundscapes, the Portland producer uses his classical music training to incorporate violin and guitar into his electronic offerings. Often described as the ‘sleeping giant of the electronic music world’, Emancipator has build a competent cult following of fans both sides of the Atlantic. 

Making his debut at London’s Jazz Cafe in Camden, Emancipator played two gigs in a day; a matinee and an evening performance. Navigating through twenty-one songs, time was taken to select an eclectic mix of tracks from all five records. Appling’s live talents always shine through, and the perfectionist nature of his Ensemble makes the live experience so enthralling, and yet relaxing at the same time. Beginning the set with ‘Abracadabra’, a track from the latest album ‘Baralku’ before following it with the classic Emancipator number ‘Soon It Will Be Cold Enough to Build Fires’. The depth of Emancipator’s music is outstanding and with the producer opting for ‘Old Devil’ and ‘Anthem’ as the last two tracks in a four-song encore only rounded off this gig with complete awe on the faces of everyone watching.

For those who want deep-rooted electronic music that comes purely from the soul and is not only influenced by  underground electronica but also nature itself then look no further than Emancipator. Appling’s music is organic and each live performance is something unique. No two gigs will be the same, and that is something that not only makes Emancipator special, but will make you keep returning time and time again.