Campus Christy emerged blinking into the Californian sunshine last November. My rheumy eyes landed on them for the first time in the Cotswolds nighttime about an hour ago, with the video for their second single, The Visit.
Campus Christy is a new act perhaps but the names behind it are more familiar to me, a duo of Chris Manak aka DJ and producer Peanut Butter Wolf and multi-instrumentalist Brian Ellis.
The Visit is a cover version of a relatively obscure album track from 1967 by The Cyrkle, which was sampled by J Dilla (RIP) on his production of Get A Hold by A Tribe Called Quest in 1996.
It turned out J Dilla had been inspired by Peanut Butter Wolf's sample of another 60s song, Kites Are Fun by The Free Design, on his 1994 album Peanut Butter Breaks.
Chris Manak first had a go at a version of The Visit in 2001, subsequently forgot about it and, two decades later, found in Brian Ellis both the collaborator and opportunity to record and release a version and complete the, ahem, circle.
Debut single Very Complex is also a treat, wonderfully fat bass and a guest vocal from Piya Malik from Say She She, with another interesting video featuring family and friends.
Both songs are available to buy on Bandcamp though I'm going to hold off for the album, anticipated this year.
Chris Manak is also the founder of the Stones Throw label, who have previously furnished me with delightful releases by Eddie Chacon, John Carroll Kirby, Washed Out, Automatic and, naturally, J Dilla. Well worth a visit this Bandcamp Friday.
