Acclaimed producer, DJ and multi-disciplinary artist Manni Dee prepares to unleash his latest EP ‚Boundless‘ on the newly launched and already highly-regarded fabric Originals label. The four-track project includes collaborations and vocals from Manuka Honey and Grove and is a testament to the British-Asian artist’s dynamic and ever-evolving approach to production. ‘Boundless’ showcases the versatility and growth of an artist whose talents span a spectrum of genres, as he enters exciting new club music territory on fabric Originals.
Manni Dee joins the Originals imprint following a busy period and a string of successful projects. From performing at the Boiler Room World Series in Mumbai and Bangalore – marking his first visit to his native country – to a flurry of collaborations with Ivy Lab, Akiko Haruna, River Moon, Daniel Avery and Bodur.
The four-track EP continues Manni’s recent exploration into producing vocal heavy cuts for the dancefloor that blend and engage with a variety of genres, styles, and tempos. The EP opens with Manni’s own ‘For Love & Money’, out today to mark the announcement. ‘For Love & Money’ is a classic Manni Dee offering — driving and detailed in equal measure, with only the dancefloor in mind.
‘Boundless’ illustrates Manni Dee’s ability to blend diverse influences into a cohesive yet confounding experience. The three further tracks take the listener through an unbridled exploration of club-centric creativity. From the sassy and energetic ‘All Of It’, an infectious collaboration with Manuka Honey, an artist at the forefront of the UK’s flourishing Latinx-infused club scene, to a tough-edged take on melody that features on ‚Polarise’, and Bristol-based non-binary Black artist Grove adds a mischievous vocal layer to ‚Supersoaker,‘ a flirtatious stepper heavily influenced by US rap through a distinctly UK lens. With lyrics echoing hip-hop’s playful energy, it explores themes of unapologetic sexuality and an unashamed homage to pop culture and consumerism.
This EP, along with a catalog of recent work, flexes his respect for a variety of influences, from hip-hop – one of Manni’s first musical loves – along with pop, R&B and dubby UK sounds. Just like his influences – “My cultural references are broad’ – the people he surrounds himself with, are wide-ranging too. Since moving to London, Manni met most of his closest friends through the London and UK club community that he now calls home. “The best people I’ve ever met are through clubs and club culture,“ reflects Manni. People, collaborations, and crowds drive Manni creatively, and on ‘Boundless’ it shows.
If clubland is home for Manni, his landing now on fabric Originals, an in-house imprint of the enduring London institution, is a perfect fit. A long-time player in the capital’s club music world, fabric is a space for gathering and sharing music – something also close to Manni’s heart. Launched in late 2022, fabric Originals represents fabric’s continued embrace of new music and emerging artists. Originals put out new music for the club – a label where great-sounding, original, club-focused sounds sit beyond constraints or preconceptions. Manni Dee’s addition to the imprint is a neat fit; an artist who continues to put originality, abandonment of genre-contains, and preconceptions of “cool” first.
Manni Dee has spoken about straddling the duality of his British-Asian identity, something that recently came into focus for the DJ at the Boiler Room World Series, “It was extra special as I’m Punjabi and this was my first time in the motherland,” said Manni to Vogue India, “India has the best crowds in the world.” Reflecting a melting pot of cultural influences and experiences, the EP, featuring Grove and Manuka Honey, celebrates diversity and inclusivity at its core. It stands as a vibrant example of the transformative power of collaboration on club sounds, showcasing Manni Dee’s musical versatility and global perspective on music.
On ‘Boundless’, Manni Dee’s signature stamp is unmistakable, resulting in a crafted collection of tracks that seamlessly blend cutting-edge beats with compelling melodies. It’s an eloquent exploration both of the essence and hybridity of club culture itself and the tapestry of humanity it embraces. Ultimately, this is club-ready music, more than capable of getting any crowd moving.
Manni Dee’s debut offering on fabric Originals is boundless, unrestrained, and unlimited in nature.
