DaVinChe was one of the original group of producers that appeared in the early 2000s, creating tracks for the likes of Kano, Tinchy Stryder and Wiley. His best release, though recorded in 2002, never saw release until 2014. It is the best example to date of a sub-genre of grime known as R&>, which fused the icy textures of the London scene with the sensual sounds and soulful songs of US R&B. The untitled mixtape features the excellent Katie Pearl on vocals, along with many MC spots. DaVinChe's production is undoubtedly grime (check the video game styles of Leave Me Alone Version II and On A Level, or the bouncy rhythms of Falling and Won't Cry), but it could easily pass for a particularly weird album by a producer like Timbaland. DaVinChe's release of the mixtape couldn't have happened at a better time, as vocalists like Kelela and producers like MSSINGNO have shed renewed light on the R&> style. DaVinChe shows that this approach is certainly nothing new - and he arguably does it better than any of the newcomers.
