Disco don Dave Lee has finally confirmed details for his debut album as altogether darker alter-ego, Akabu.

The Phuture Ain’t What It Used To Be promises to place Lee’s rich ‘n’ soulful production skills in a darker, deeper and firmly electronic setting. “I love some of the more minimal house sounds that are flourishing right now,” he tells Defected, “but I just couldn’t do the sparse thing myself; I have to add some depth somewhere, be it a live instrument solo or vocal. It’s just the way I’m wired.”

In consequence the new Akabu album shares sonic similarities, according to Lee, with Larry Heard and early Kerri Chandler. Guest collaborators include Berlin producer Andre Lodermann, Chicago’s Foremost Poets and Incognito lead singer Tony Momrelle.

One of the album’s 13 tracks, Sax My Bitch Up, was previewed on a recent Joey Negro anniversary compilation. The Phuture Ain’t What It Used To Be will be released on Lee’s Z imprint October 11.