Debut album from Oakland's Afrikan Sciences finally available on wax! Means And Ways was originally released in 2011 and was the first full statement from the idiosyncratic producer. African and Latin rhythms bump up against free jazz in Afrikan Sciences' singular vision of what house can be. The album opens with free-form productions before finally settling into a house groove on "Two As 36." We're treated to experimental improvisations that may have you drawing comparisons to Jamal Moss (Hieroglyphic Being) on "Call Back." Although the middle of the album takes off into more exploratory material, we return to an alternate Earth by its close. "Wreck Create," "Nanorock Skank," and "Ways And Means" might be the most floor ready material here, but there are still plenty of left-field elements to keep you guessing. Eleven tracks in all. Released by Deepblak on double vinyl housed in a full color gatefold sleeve.

• double vinyl pressing
• gatefold sleeve
• music label: Deepblak 2016

reviewed by Dis Jointed 08/2016