Ssaliva is another moniker of Francois Boulanger, the Belgian gentleman formerly known as Kingfisherg and more recently, Cupp Cave. Boulanger released his 10″ debut ‘RZA’ on Bruxelles-based Vlek Records after a cassette tape on Leaving Records in February 2011. The label issued his Cupp Cave debut ‘Dice Pool’ not much earlier last year and although the  tone on ‘RZA’ and ‘Dice Pool’ is not completely different, it makes sense to have both records released under different monikers.

Francois Boulanger is easily recognized for his warm and erratic sound. Tape hiss and VHS-style glitches soak 80s R&B samples, ambient textures and wayward beats. Hints of mistuned Tropicalia and Krautrock can be detected in his music. The overall feel is sultry and vague, like this very VHS tape of Blue Lagoon you played just too often. With Cupp Cave, however, the House elements clearly dominate. In contract, Ssaliva is more into sound experimentation and grounded in instrumental Hip Hop beat-wise. No wonder Boulanger was picked up by Leaving Records and featured on Dublab frequently.

‘RZA’ brings the formula in beautiful shape. ‘Black Soul’ is seasick R&B, ‘SPA82’ marries upbeat 808 programming with detuned synthesizers and billowing bass dubs. ‘Tridimensional’ sounds like a 1980s version of Cluster (listen below), much in line with ‘Savaan’ which also draws influence from German minimal electro. ‘B Adventures’, ‘Night Landing’, and most of all ‘Hobo4030’ come with a decent electro boogie/ old school Hip Hop flavour that combines beautifully with the warped melody.

A3 – Trimensional by vlek

‘RZA’ by Ssalvia is out on golden 10″ vinyl in screen printed sleeves. Still above taken from From Bruxelles to Vilnius on Vimeo.