X-Ray Ted : Moving On Review

by Shannon Smith

Bristol-based DJ and producer X-Ray Ted has long been revered for his seamless blending of classic funk, soul, and breakbeat influences with a modern, infectious sound. With his debut album Moving On, he solidifies his ability to craft organic sounds, delivering a vibrant and dynamic collection of twelve tracks that bridges decades of musical styles and traditions. Moving On plays like a well-versed conversation between vintage soul and contemporary electronic music, a lively, playful, and highly danceable dialogue.

Opening with the track “I Been Good,” featuring the unmistakable voice of Fullee Love from Jurassic 5, X-Ray Ted sets the tone for an album that blends the old and new with remarkable ease. The track’s New Orleans-inspired soul sample, layered with Fullee Love’s contemplative yet upbeat lyrics, immediately draws listeners in, offering a taste of the rich sonic palette X-Ray Ted will explore throughout the album. This is not just a trip down memory lane—it’s a forward-thinking homage, where each beat is meticulously crafted to evoke nostalgia and a modern-day groove. Solid bass and guitar parts, the drums evolve organically, and the horn parts are catchy.

One of the album’s standout elements is its collaborative spirit. Guest appearances from hip-hop legends like Jungle Brother’s Afrika Baby Bam and UK rappers Dr Syntax and Professor Elemental inject the album with a sense of variety and depth. On “Get Out The House,” Afrika Baby Bam’s raw, rebellious energy cuts through the playful backdrop of seventies-inspired funk, capturing the restless spirit of lockdown-era creativity. The track’s biting commentary and “potty-mouthed” lyrics deliver a cathartic release, reflecting the universal longing for freedom felt during the pandemic.

The female vocal powerhouse Carys Abigail offers a refreshing counterbalance to the album’s more rugged moments, as evidenced by “Dance With Me” and “Watch Me Walk.” Her soulful delivery provides a delicate and emotive layer to X-Ray Ted’s sample-heavy beats, particularly on “Watch Me Walk,” where the groove-laden rhythms and hypnotic bongo accents create a track that is both sultry and exhilarating. Abigail’s presence elevates the album, adding vocal hooks that stick long after the last note fades.

X-Ray Ted’s production skills shine brightest in tracks like “Strut” and “Bap Bap.” These instrumental gems showcase his love for crate-digging, with breakbeats and rare grooves serving as the backbone for each composition. In “Strut,” the tight percussion and infectious soul bassline feels like a throwback to the golden age of breakbeat, while “Bap Bap” leans into nu-disco territory with its bongo-driven rhythms and polished layers of sound.

However, the album’s real strength lies in its ability to be more than just a collection of dancefloor bangers. There’s a narrative arc to Moving On that speaks to the journey of growth, both musically and personally. X-Ray Ted is not simply content with crafting feel-good party tracks—he’s exploring how funk, soul, and hip-hop can evolve without losing their essence. Tracks like “Gimme Soul” and “Love Inside” embody this ethos, offering a mixing of other genre moments that invite listeners to reflect as much as they groove.

Moving On is, at its heart, a celebration of X-Ray Ted’s ability to bring people together by drawing from the well of his influences, creating an album that is rich with texture and full of surprises. His meticulous attention to detail, whether it’s through precise sampling or the fluid integration of live instruments, makes Moving On feel organic and lively. This is music that moves—literally and metaphorically—inviting us all to keep moving forward with it. And with his debut, X-Ray Ted makes one thing clear: he’s only just getting started.