Modaji

Modaji is a pivotal project in the UK nu jazz and broken beat (Bruk) scenes, primarily driven by Dominic Jacobsen with significant contributions from multi-instrumentalist Kaidi Tatham. Emerging in the late 1990s on labels like Laws of Motion, Modaji helped define the 'West London sound,' blending the improvisational spirit of jazz with the rhythmic innovations of jungle, house, and hip-hop.

Their sound identity is built on complex polyrhythms, sophisticated jazz harmonies, and a 'cosmic' aesthetic that references both Sun Ra and 80s synth-funk. Critical consensus highlights their ability to maintain a high level of musicianship while remaining accessible to the club environment. Within the influence web, Modaji connects the dots between 4hero's reinforced breakbeats and the soulful fusion of the Mizell Brothers. Historically, they are significant for bridging the gap between the acid jazz era and the more electronic-leaning broken beat movement of the early 2000s, influencing a generation of producers interested in 'jazzy' electronic music that avoids the clichés of elevator music.