Afrikan Sciences: The Avant-Garde Architect of Electronic Music
Afrikan Sciences is the visionary recording alias of American electronic musician and producer Eric Douglas Porter. Hailing from the San Francisco Bay Area and later based in New York City, Porter has carved a distinct path in experimental dance music through his work on influential labels like PAN and his own imprint, Sistrum Recordings. His achievement lies in a critically acclaimed discography that deconstructs and reimagines the rhythms of house, techno, and jazz into a uniquely cerebral form.
Early career
Eric Porter's musical journey began in earnest after relocating to New York in the early 2000s, immersing himself in the city's vibrant underground dance scene. His early releases emerged in the late 2000s, with the 2008 12-inch Circuitous on the WNCL Recordings label serving as a formative introduction to his complex, polyrhythmic style. This period established the foundational elements of the Afrikan Sciences sound: syncopated drum programming, melodic dissonance, and a deep, spiritual undercurrent.
Breakthrough
The pivotal moment for wider recognition arrived with the 2014 album Circuitous on the prestigious Berlin-based label PAN. This full-length presentation of his intricate sonic philosophy received substantial critical praise from specialized electronic music publications. While not a charting commercial release, its placement on PAN aligned Afrikan Sciences with the forefront of experimental electronic music, solidifying his reputation as an innovator.
Key tracks
Circuitous — The title track from his PAN debut encapsulates his signature style of weaving hypnotic, non-linear rhythms and atmospheric tension.
BQE — A standout from the Circuitous album, this track demonstrates his ability to build immersive, driving soundscapes from fragmented melodic cells.
Birds — Featured on his 2011 Specimens EP, this earlier work highlights the jazz-inflected, organic sensibility within his electronic constructions.
Dmt Tlh — From the 2019 album Nodes, this piece showcases the continued evolution of his sound into even more abstract and textured territories.
Following his breakthrough, Afrikan Sciences continued to refine his output through albums like 2015's Asa and 2019's Nodes, released on his co-founded Sistrum Recordings. His collaborations are selective but meaningful, including work with fellow experimentalist Noleian Reusse under the name Zozo and contributions to compilations for labels like RVNG Intl. and The Bunker New York. Porter's performances at venues and festivals dedicated to avant-garde electronic music further cement his status as a compelling live act.
Listeners who appreciate the abstract rhythms of Afrikan Sciences often explore the work of similar artists in the experimental electronic sphere. RP Boo shares a foundational approach to deconstructing dance music archetypes through sampling and rhythm. Jlin operates in a related field of complex, footwork-inspired percussion and avant-garde composition. The textured, atmospheric work of Huerco S. explores adjacent ambient and dub-inflected electronic spaces. For the jazz-influenced side of electronica, Floating Points offers a parallel journey into sophisticated harmony and rhythm.
The innovative music of Afrikan Sciences finds a natural home on forward-thinking independent music radio stations and dedicated online electronic music streams. These platforms, which prioritize artistic exploration over commercial trends, regularly feature his tracks in rotations focused on cutting-edge techno, experimental house, and ambient electronica. His albums are frequently highlighted in specialty programs that delve into the deeper realms of sound design and rhythmic innovation.
You can experience the pioneering electronic constructions of Afrikan Sciences on radio stations featured on our website. Tune in to discover his discography and similar artists through the curated electronic music radio stations available on onairium.com.
