Werkha is a producer from Manchester who released his debut EP back in 2012. Since that time, he’s had a few releases for Tru Thoughts, scored some documentaries, and produced the debut album for Bryony Jarmon-Pinto last year. To start of the new decade, he moves over to First Word Records and gives us a new EP, The Rigour.

The EP is called The Rigour because as much as you might enjoy this music, Werkha wants to remind you that as much as he loves doing this, it still takes a lot of labor to put something like this out into the world. I would also add that this EP is a good reminder that you need to put in the work if you’re going to make a compelling instrumental EP the way that Werkha made this one. That’s because this isn’t some cut-and-paste, by-the-numbers downtempo release. It’s a funky journey through a unique blend of influences that Werkha has managed to make all of his own, as he skillfully weaves in everything from disco and house to jazz, funk, and hip hop over the course of five tracks. He doesn’t just construct some great grooves, either – he fully develops them into catchy songs with melodies that will stick with you after you’re done listening to the EP. Everything is developed well enough that The Rigour becomes a project that you can throw on at a party and get everyone dancing, but you can also sit by yourself and listen to it on headphones and appreciate all of the nuances of his very clever production and songwriting skills.

The Rigour is a good way to start the year for Werkha. It is a solid re-introduction as he begins a new decade on a new label, covering a lot of ground and delivering a funky good time along the way.