Aug. 19, 2020
This month marks the release of a new LP by Filipino musician Vex Ruffin, it's his third full length outing on the renowned imprint Stones Throw, a record label which requires no introduction. Vex grew up split between California’s Inland Empire and Alabang, Manila in the Philippines. His music is very much a reflection of that and draws upon influences from funk, soul and hip hop alongside Filipino culture. Family, nostalgia and the personal connections he's made along the way all inform his own creative process and the music that he makes is humble, warm and honest. He himself described his latest album as follows: “At my age, you start to reflect. I’m going back to my roots, channeling that time, mixing nostalgia with how I am right now.” This mixtape is as much of a reflection on that as the album is as Vex showcases a collection of Filipino music and records over the course of an hour. Funk, soul and delicate disco play out across a mix which is truly unique.