Contours

Contours is the project of musician, producer and DJ Tom Burford. Based in Manchester, Contours’ sound explores the rhythms and sonic spaces that sit between Jazz, percussive experimentation and raw club cuts through to blissed-out ambient and minimalism. Having been exposed to an eclectic range of music from an early age, Contours DJ sets traverse a litany of sounds and influences. Contours live set draws on the minimalist percussive and ambient compositions that formed his Balafon Sketches release and now his latest album on Music From Memory. Growing up playing drums and percussion, Contours’ productions draw heavily upon this, incorporating polyrhythmic interplay with sounds more often heard spilling out of dark sweaty basement clubs. This fusion creates an infectious blend of the electronic and the organic; the live and the programmed. Contours merges delay-soaked balafon with polymetric drum machine programming and interlocking synth lines. This rhythmic propulsion is underpinned by luscious dubbed out strings and sub heavy pressure, all of which combine to take the listener on a rich sonic journey. Contours’ sound has seen him release on labels including Music From Memory, Rhythm Section International, Slow Life, Far out and many more. His productions have received support from the likes of Gilles Peterson, Andrew Weatherall, Mr Scruff, Optimo, Zakia, Benji B and Bradley Zero.