Tenement by The Du-Rites

Village Live Records are beyond hyped to announce the forthcoming EP Tenement by The Du-Rites.

Available to pre-order on limited edition transparent 10” vinyl with OBI strip and standard black 10” vinyl with OBI, going live Friday 21st November. The full EP drops 27 February 2026.

The Du-Rites - Jay Mumford (drums, keys, kalimba, percussion) and Pablo Martin (guitar, bass, keys, percussion) - have long been champions of gritty, unfiltered funk. After dropping an impressive seven albums in six years, the pair eased off full-length releases following 2022’s Plug It In.But they never stopped creating. Jay kept active as a session drummer (Gnarls Barkley, Kelly Finnigan, Just Blaze), landed a sample on a Vampire Weekend track, and toured with guitarist Adrian Quesada. Pablo hit the road with UK singer-songwriter Belouis Some, while continuing to produce and compose between tour dates. Together, the duo maintained their weekly NYC residency and rolled out a handful of digital singles to keep the creative gears turning.

Now, after a three-year break from album-making, The Du-Rites return with Tenement - a tight, razor-focused collection released via UK-based Village Live Records. The EP is classic Du-Rites: rugged drums, warped synths, mutant funk guitar and a relentless commitment to groove.

Guest flautist Seth Hachen elevates the hazy, abstract opener “In Du Time,” while the title track taps into pure, hard-hitting instrumental funk. “5 on the Floor” pushes the boundaries with kalimba textures and beautifully off-kilter drum patterns, before “Bucky’s Groove” snaps everything back into place with certified b-boy breakbeats. Elsewhere, tracks like “Filibuster” and “Super Phunk” showcase the duo’s adventurous use of guitar and synth tones - steering clear of predictable retro-funk tropes while keeping everything anchored in raw drum grit.

Above all, Tenement is an EP built on groove. Abstract groove, stank-face groove, body-moving, neck-snapping groove. All of it packed into just under 17 minutes.

Tracklist

1.	Bucky's Groove	3:33

2.	5 On The Floor	2:49

3.	Tenement
4.	In Du Time
5.	Super Phunk	2:17

6.	Filibuster	2:41

Credits

releases February 13, 2026

Produced, recorded and arranged by
The Du-Rites (Jay Mumford & Pablo Martin)

All songs written by
J. Mumford & P. Martin
(J-Zone Music, ASCAP • The Harlem Punk, BMI)

Mixed by
Jay Mumford

Mastered by
Pablo Martin

Recorded at
A basement in Southeast Queens
and The Harlem Punk Music

Special Guests
Bruce Martin – Solina String Ensemble on Bucky’s Groove
Seth Hachen – Flute on In Du Time

Photography
Sami Buccella

Design
Remulak

A&R
Dirty Hairy

Shouts

Pablo:
“Thanks to my neighbours in Harlem and Washington Heights.”

Jay:
“This record is dedicated to the memory of my Dad, Arnold Mumford Jr., aka ‘Bucky’. ‘It’s all about the music’ is what he always said. Thanks for passing down that gift of music and the never-ending support, Pop. Love you always. I’ll keep doing my best to make it funky, knowing you’re always listening and watching.”

The Du-Rites:
“Thanks to everyone who has supported us over the last decade. The crew: Billy, Bruce, (Chef) Seth, Ike, Sami and everyone who plays with us at Penny Jo’s. To Melvin and the whole gang Uptown for supporting our night so we don’t have to go to Brooklyn and play the game!”

Labels: Village Live (vinyl) • Old Maid Entertainment / Ilegalia Records (digital)

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