Instrumental hip hop: Hi Ku ft Onra at Joshua Brooks

Joshua Brooks staple Hi Ku hits its first birthday in November. Highlights from the past year include the launch of Kyle Hall’s debut album and Akil the Mc (Jurassic 5) jumping on the mic with Detroit’s Andres have gained the club a well earned reputation. Flying in for the party is Paris’ finest beatmaker, Onra, pictured, last seen in Manchester for Eurocultured a couple of years ago (and before that for his Manc debut in 2009 with Martyn courtesy of Mind On Fire). Onra’s versatility on record has seen him release instrumental hip-hop sampling only Vietnamese, Chinese and Thai vinyl (Chinoiseries Vol 1 and 2), 80s-influenced boogie and soul (Long Distance on All City Records) and most recently ‘proper’ jazz under the Yatha Bhuta Jazz Combo monicker – and he hasn’t even achieved his full potential yet. Onra’s lit up clubs around the globe, touring pretty much none stop with his MPC – expect fire.

Fri 8 Nov, 11pm – 4am, Joshua Brooks, 106 Princess St, M1 6NG.  Tel: 0161 273 7336, 11pm-4am, £8, www.skiddle.com

Thanks to Groovement