Hyperpotamus is Jorge Ramirez-Escudero , a London based vocal artist from Madrid.
Fed up with life on the road as a jobbing drummer and pianist, he now performs solo and plays no instruments. using only voice, a few microphones and loop pedals.
He began as a busker and has now played at strange or exotic locations all over the world ranging from Madrid's metro system to a Soviet People's Place in Bratislava.
He has spoken of the liberating effects of this new independent musical life : "I let my demons out. I sing my heart out. It becomes very physical......making me dizzy with glee".
Delta is the follow up to his self released debut album Largo Bailon (2009).
Before being remixed at Fortress Studios in London, the base recordings were done in a Victorian school taking advantage of the space's natural reverb. His objective was to edit and mix as much as possible on the spot to capture the energy and organic quality of his live shows.
After the 'how does he do that?' novelty of this technique has passed, the album must stand or fall by the quality of the ten songs rather than his skill at beat-boxing.
The syncopated rhythms are funky; his singing voice is soulful but when push comes to shove these are conventional pop songs whose main selling point is the uniqueness of their production.
This, quite simply, isn't sufficient to hold the attention for the 34 minute playing time. Perhaps a few experimental, purely abstract, pieces would have given the much needed variety.
Having gained support slots with diverse names such as Animal Collective, Tortoise, Scorpions and Two Gallants his future as a live act looks assured.
Certainly, videos of his animated dance moves as he expertly layers the beats show him to be a fascinating and engaging performance artist
Watching is far preferable to the passive act of listening at home.
