District Lost – Waltzing In The Jazz Bar [EP]

From the misty backdrops of Muskoka, Ontario, producer/beatmaker District Lost spins a thread of nostalgia with his latest drop, Lost In The Urban Jungle. The beat “Hotboxing The Honda” slowly fades into focus with a raw ’90s boom-bap spirit, peppered with bluesy guitar twangs and thick drum drops. It’s all meat, no filler—just straight, unpolished thumps throwing back to the early days of hip-hop culture.

Shifting gears, “Great, We’re Lost” dials into the spirit of old-school jazz, weaving together dusty horn loops, crisp snares, and stocky kicks into a scruffy number that could’ve easily been embedded into Madlib’s “Medicine Show” beat series. And both of these sounds are supported by a root rumbling bass that makes its presence felt. This is definitely something for those who appreciate the confined creativity that machines like the SP-1200 and the S-950 brought (and still brings) out of figures like Large Pro and Damu the Fudgemunk.

Over on “Waltzing In The Jazz Bar,” the vibe mellows as a chunky breakbeat mingles with vintage-sounding jazz guitar loops. This combo spins a vibe that’s slick yet granular; easing the mind while it moves you to nod your head. And while Lost’s vinyl scratches seem a bit timid and out of place to me, they do add to the homemade, bedroom producer vibe – rounding out the track as a straightforward tribute to classic beat-making.

Sewing up the set is “Night In The Metropolis,” a piece that pulsates with energy and an eclectic mix of sounds—from sharp choir wails to finely chopped word bursts from a mystery rap song, all tempered by unassuming synth waves.  It’s a tightly wound symphony of chaos that slips up on you sidewalk steam before fading away just as easily.  ​

In this tight, nostalgic nod to old school hip-hop, District Lost serves up a short, sweet, sample-laden stroll down memory lane. It’s a succinct offering, perfectly tailored for heads seeking that classic, “making something out of scraps” spirit that made hip hop music the force it is today.

Connect with District Lost via the links listed:
( Bandcamp | Facebook | Instagram | Official_Site | Soundcloud | Spotify | Threads | TikTok | Twitter | YouTube )