Astrophonica continues its genre-bending legacy with Orion Sound, the debut release from Austin, TX-based finger-drummer and beatmaker Flobama. A raw, psychedelic take on Jungle infused with lo-fi textures and instrumental Hip-Hop foundations, this EP bridges the Atlantic, blending the energy of UK Hardcore with the laid-back groove of U.S. beat culture.
Known for his live sets on the Roland SP-404, Flobama has shared stages with Blue Lab Beats, Shigeto, and The Alkaholiks, while also cultivating a strong online following through Patreon and collaborations with Red Bull Music Academy and Roland. Orion Sound is the sound of an artist deeply embedded in Hip-Hop’s rhythmic discipline but drawn to the chaotic, celestial world of Jungle.
At the core of this release is the Amigo Sampler, a digital recreation of the Commodore Amiga—the machine that helped define early UK Jungle and Hardcore. While stateside producers leaned on Akai MPCs and the E-Mu SP1200 to craft their lo-fi beats, UK junglists like Bizzy B, Equinox, Urban Shakedown, and Paradox were pushing the Amiga to its limits. Orion Sound takes that legacy and filters it through Flobama’s own lens, resulting in an EP that feels both retro and futuristic, DIY and meticulously crafted.
The four tracks move between hypnotic loops, warped breakbeats, and deep, rolling basslines—drawing comparisons to Machinedrum, Om Unit, and DJ Rashad, yet refusing to sit neatly in any category. It’s not quite Footwork Jungle, but it lives in that same transatlantic space, where Texas sunshine meets the sweat and bass of an East London rave.
For those looking to tap into the EP’s sonic DNA, Fracture and Flobama have created the Orion Sound Sample Pack—255 handcrafted sounds built from Korg SV2 keys, a Mackie 1604 desk, and various hardware samplers, all processed through the Amigo. Expect crunchy breaks, saturated bass, and hazy pads, drenched in low-bit magic.
Orion Sound drops March 7th, 2025, on 12” vinyl and digital via Astrophonica, complete with artwork by Utile Creative and a collaboration with label boss Fracture.
🔗 Pre-order now and prepare for lift-off. https://boomkat.com/products/orion-sound?taxon_id=107767
