Ahead of the release of his ‘Adaption’ EP on Rocksteady Disco, we sat down with JKriv and chewed the fat.
Brooklyn producer JKriv returns to Rocksteady Disco with ‘Adaptation’, a five-track EP that feels both classic and fresh. It has been six years since his last release on the label and this record proves his sense of groove and melody remains sharp.
The EP opens with ‘Greene Street Lament’, a cinematic start with warm beats and soft chords. It immediately draws you in and sets the tone for the rest of the record. ‘Adaptation’ raises the energy with a lively bassline, tight drums, and lush strings. It is a track built for the dancefloor and shows JKriv’s ear for rhythm and texture.
‘Total Pleasure’ takes a slightly slower approach with midtempo boogie house elements. A gentle vocal floats above deep drums and smooth synths. The track has a warmth that lingers long after it ends.
‘Vibetown’ continues the midtempo vibe, layering jazzy keys, string flourishes, and broken beats in a way that feels effortless. It blends house, soul, and downtempo elements with real finesse. The EP closes with Adaptation (Dub). This track focuses on rhythm and bass, leaving space for late-night energy and minimal melody.
Recorded during his MPC3000 era, the EP balances live touches and electronic textures. Every track carries heart and groove while keeping a relaxed, organic feel. Adaptation is a record that reveals more depth with each listen.
We caught up with JKriv recently for a quick chat, here’s what went down…
Welcome back JKriv. It is great to have you return to Rocksteady Disco.
How did this collaboration come together after six years?
Crazy that’s it’s been 6 years since Aguaxirê! Peter and I always stay connected and when this EP finally came together I felt that it would sit nicely on Rocksteady, so I reached out to him and he agreed.
The EP is called Adaptation. What does that word mean to you when it comes to creating music today?
In my original demo of the song I had sampled an interview with Herbie Hancock where he was saying that a commonality amongst all the great figures of history was their capacity to adapt and accept change. It’s something I think about a lot, both in life and in music. For me it’s about staying in touch with my musical environment and continuing to grow and change with it, while staying true to my core aesthetics and values.
Tracks like Vibetown and Total Pleasure have a warm, live feel. How much of the EP came from live instruments and how much from sampling?
Almost all of the music on this EP began as jams on my MPC 3000, sampling old records, chopping them up and then looping and arranging them. Vibetown is actually all samples, and is kind of a live performance that I recorded on the MPC in real time. Total Pleasure uses a bit more extended elements of source material, but also is a more developed arrangement with live instrumentation like synths and percussion that I added.
Your music always blends house, boogie, and organic rhythm in a natural way. What keeps you inspired to combine these styles instead of focusing on just one?
Thanks, to be honest I think it’s just a product of my vast and varied influences. My taste is super eclectic and I go through phases where I’m more focused on certain vibes than others, but even when I try to be purist about genre it still comes out as stylistic soup.
There is a reflective energy across the EP while keeping the groove alive. Were you aiming for a particular mood or story with these tracks?
I think the there is a kind of dusty nostalgic quality to the EP, which comes a bit from the source material but also the mood I was in while making these tracks. I’d say the mood is soulful and melancholic, but also uplifting and positive.
Finally, what can fans expect next from you and Razor-N-Tape? Are there any new projects or collaborations on the horizon?
I’ve got a bunch of remixes coming on different labels in the next few months, edits on Make-A-Dance and Razor-N-Tape, and original collab projects dropping in 2026 on RNT and other labels. The Razor-N-Tape schedule is stacked as always, with releases from Megatronic, Yuu Udagawa, Patchouli Brothers and our Family Affair comp to take us through the end of the year.
Pre order the ‘Adaption’ EP on Rocksteady Disco here, out October 17th, 2025.
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