Based in South Auckland, Filipino-Kiwi hip-hop artist Ray Leslie comes to us with a dreamy number called The Fridge All Stocked. Putting me in mind of a time when I was sitting in a fale (pronounced fal-ey to those unfamiliar with the South Pacific) on the south coast of Upolu at a magical place called Sa’anapu, listening to the gentle rolling of the impossibly calm waters literally on my doorstep. Man, that memory really sends me. This song did too.

Using some understated synths and suppressed rhythms beneath a warm bass, the composition is effective in its use of major 7ths and some gorgeous, mild pseudo-jazz arrangement in the chord structure. Done well this can be highly effective – and is here. Ray partnered with producer Abraham Kunin and again it’s been a worthwhile collaboration. From the EPK: Says Ray: “’The Fridge All Stocked’ was another impromptu creative jam session with Abe at Big Pop Studios. We had been experimenting different sounds that fit in the same universe as previous release ‘Who Do You See’, and as soon as I hear something that inspires me, I am immediately driven by a melody or lyrics. In this case, it was both and within 5 minutes I had the intro and hook written. It leans into when I moved out of home for the first time and was living in the city with my best friend. Such an eye-opening experience as I discovered what pursuing the dream really means – struggle, sacrifice, scarcity of money, loneliness…”

The vocal is a restrained soprano, paired with a neat rapping ability that carries a faint element of tune to it in itself. This adds to the element of relaxation and dreaminess, removing the occasionally hard-edge to an out and out rap that could twist the intended mood of this number. Ray has partnered with up and coming fellow hip-hop/rap artist Awggey – who provides a baritone counter that’s got the right amount of melodious flow to the rap to stop it from being jarring and being pleasantly alternate instead.

The video is a really nice mash of storyline and imagery shots. The lighting is done nicely, understated where it needs it, focused where that’s called for. Good work by director Luke Penney and starring Ray, Awggey, and the other members of Ray‘s urban collective Light Beings. Check it on the You Tubes.

This is one to melt into a soft couch to, with or without company. A drive around, cruising speed, with amigos. I can see this getting a lot of urban play on radio, and will be a shoo-in for Juice – just watch out for the odd naughty word here and there if that sort of thing bothers you. It doesn’t bother me. Poo bums. See.

It’s out on Spotify, and general release, because I have been slack and not given it its deserved attention when I received it a couple of weeks ago. Apologies Ray, Awggey and crew: this is a great track and you’re a team to watch.