For the uninitiated, the duo made their debut on record back in early 2001 (via Dublab), which was followed by three EPs and a remix 12”; the ‘Baila Con Los Ninos’ remix by Sutekh, which also appeared on Leaf’s excellent Born Again collection.

Their debut album was called Sounds Like Everything and, true to its title, it encapsulates the eclecticisms of 70s funk, late 80s hip hop, Detroit techno, minimalist beat makers and world rhythms from Latin America to Africa. Stand out tracks are ‘Super Eagles & Black Stars’ (with Daedelus guesting on guitar), ‘Encouragement’ and Zato Ichi’ (both of which feature Joshua Spiegelman on flute and Andres Renteria on trap drums). But don’t miss the reggae beats of ‘Ultra dB’, the very early preview of the B+/Eric Coleman follow up to Keepintime, ‘Brasilintime (Kinda On Some Funk Edit)’ or the Dwight Trible/Build An Ark “warm up” on ‘Our Cry For Peace’.

The follow up double album One In An Infinity Of Ways got a Ninja Tune release and found them progressing a similar vibe. The MPC2000 beats of ‘Through The Moon’ and ‘Wu Wu Woomp’ were matched by ‘jazz’ provided by ‘Like Waves Of The Sea’ and with Speigelman/Trible on ‘Love Letters’. L.A. rapper Lil’ Sci appears on the title track while you can hear the Exquisite Corpse “references” in ‘Dreamy’, on which Daedelus appears on guitar and bass clarinet. The instrumental of the Keepintime ‘Infinity Of Rhythm’ was also included on this album.

The next album, New Birth came out at the time Fabian’s baby was born.See our interview with Carlos and Daedelus.

New Birth progressed the concept of ‘the next chapter of hip hop meets nuclear Jazz out of the Arkestra’. Featuring the regular range of tracks from the AmmonContact ‘beats’ (such as the title track) to collabs with regulars Renteria and Speigelman. Lil’ Sci was back again on ‘My People (I’m Spittin’ For The Freedom Of)’ along with Build An Ark on ‘Temple Jam’. Dexter Story (who is part of Dwight Trible’s Life Force Trio) joined in and co-wrote ‘Naeem (10 Pounds, 7 Ounces Of Love’) and ‘Samba No. 9’. ‘Omniverses 2’ is dedicated to the late Mary Hansen (Stereolab) whilst ‘Omniverses 1’ is currently loaded on their Myspace site (see links below).

Twelve months on from New Birth, a new album on Ninja Tune With Voices will be released. The tracklisting below finds the Ammoncontact community of ‘Voices’ expanding to compliment the power of the percussion. Lil’ Sci is back as is Dwight and his friend Kamau Daaood. Peterson played ‘Beautiful Flowers’ which is a brilliant track featuring Prince ‘The Slickness’ Po, Dwight and jazz legend Yusef Lateef. Each gives their message of peace over a typically modal broken funk beat. It’s a wonderful collaboration and I suspect the rest of the album will be too.

So happy to be alive whilst at the same time, we reflect on the passing of J.Dilla recently. RIP

Ammoncontact – With Voices (Ninja Tune) Release date: 15th May, 2006.
Preliminary tracklisting:
1. ‘Children Of The Sun’ featuring Dwight Trible and members of Build An Ark
2. ‘One For Ayler’
3. ‘Into 777’ featuring Sach
4. ‘Like This’ featuring Lil Sci
5. ‘A Zillion Tambourines’ featuring Kamau Daaood
6. ‘Elevation’
7. ‘With Voice’s featuring Lil Sci
8. ‘Drum Riders’ featuring Brother J and Cut Chemist
9. ‘Ropepe’ featuring Najite
10. ‘Through The Pauses’ featuring Sach
11. ‘Beautiful Flowers’ featuring Prince Po, Yusef Lateef and Dwight Trible
12. ‘Earth’s Children’ featuring Mia Doi Todd
13. ‘Sleep Stasis’ featuring Daedelus
14. ‘Worth It’ featuring Abstract Rude
15. ‘Love Needs No Destination To Have Made It’ featuring Imiuswi
16. ‘Life Force Contact’

Photo by B+ 2004

Links:
Ammoncontact www.myspace.com/ammoncontact “Blok T Jan 15, 2006 6:35 PM “I think ‘Ultra dB’ is one of the best beats I’ve ever heard, brilliant.”
Ninja Tunes www.ninjatune.net
www.plugresearch.comwww.dublab.com : IN THE LOOP: “dublab presents: in the loop 3” will enter the world on February 21st. This super circle features ace offerings from Milosh, Adventure Time, Caribou, Ammoncontact, Black Pocket, GB, and Dimlite”. As check out ‘THE DAEDELUS GUIDE TO DUBLAB PRESENTS IN THE LOOP #2’ & ‘DUBLAB PRESENTS IN THE LOOP #1’
Gilles Peterson Tracklistings : 05/02/2006 : Dudley Perkins, Georgia Anne Muldrow and Rahel : : Live In Session
(4) Ammon Contact Feat. Yusef Lateef , Prince Po & Dwight Trible ‘Beautiful Flowers’ (CDR)
Stereolab Member Killed In Road Accident, Mary Hansen dies aged 36 …. NME Report “Why cyclists have been forced off Britain’s congested roads” by Joanna Walters, Sunday December 22, 2002