If subtlety were currency, Aladean Kheroufi would be swimming in wealth. There’s an assured depth in Kheroufi’s lounge-bound soul, awash in a dreamy, retro vibe that spans the history of soul, funk and rhythm and blues, with updates on the ’60s/’70s soul sounds that are respectful of the past, while adding elements to keep it fresh and vital.

Beginning his career in the early 2010s as one of Edmonton’s most sought-after bass players, Kheroufi began producing and releasing singles in 2020. He established his sound on grooves reminiscent of early Motown with lean instrumental arrangements that focused on keeping the pocket tight with mixes that reveled in nuance, emphasizing harmony over flash. On Kheroufi’s latest release, Studies In A Dying Love, he expands on his sparing production with fuller arrangements and short bursts of psychedelic experimentation. It’s Kheroufi’s most expansive sonic project to date, and the results are stellar, crafting a sound that borrows from multiple eras and adds a garage aesthetic that holds in an ultra-natural atmosphere.

When you’re a musician who can do almost anything instrumentally, the big challenge becomes knowing how to pull back and keep things subtle, recognizing that creating a distinctive sound is often more valuable than showing off. Aladean Kheroufi has all the skills to pay the bills, but his mark as an artist and producer is in his ability to produce with taste and subtlety, finding the magic in leaving spaces for the audience’s imagination to fill.

- Mike Dunn