Blog Archives

Baco Rhythm and Steel

I seem to be drawn to the chilled out vibes in music this week. The cha cha cha chang  (?) of this song is soulful, laced with moments of winding funk beats which lend it a cool, fleshed out tune. Sometimes, I enjoy listening to a bit of instrumental hiphop/triphop/ soul /funk. Instrumental music is cool to chill out to.

The saxophone gives the A-side a G-funk delight.

Is that even a music term?

I guess it is now.  πŸ˜€

This is the first song I’ve heard of the BACO RHYTHM & STEEL BAND.

So it’s great they’ve got a B-side to sample.

On the B side, they have done a rework of Mobb Deep’s hit with the same name. In fact, the B-side has gone straight into my playlist. I adore sounds that immerse cultures and flaunt a multitude of sounds. This has a real Bhangra, anime, Bolly wood espionage feel. It’s playful and seriously cool. Bangerz delight.

For those of you who want to hear Mobb Deep’s ordinal song ‘Burn’ – yeah, they’ve done the song justice. It’s sweet!

Finally, to round up this post, if I may… I wish to impart and depart (lol)with a few words

.I always want to be successful in whatever I’m doing just like everyone else. I want to get it right. I want to see my “5-year GOAL/PLAN” results from the day I have an idea to do something different with my blog or with my Life.

It is cool to not have everything figured from the initial conception. Be cool with that and enjoy the process.

Every day is not going to be a day where we feel we have hit our creative goals.

Great or small.

Sometimes it’s cool to break down a big dream in to smaller chunks. Count all your achievements -great and small

Hit play!

Have a great day!

Floating Points

Floating Points has come under my radar in 2019.

  1. Coorabell- visual & ear galactic delight. It took me three listens to fall in love with the track. I kept coming back to it  Why?  4:21 mins is the moment I fell in love-100%. Sam Bishop (birth name) drops in hard techno yet still maintain the spirit of not becoming lost to the machine of electronic music. Electronic Ambience with a holy mother of God punch.

Turns out Floating points is a Neuroscientist turned D.J.  -(He studied the Neuroscience of pain)  He’s managed to gain respect with the likes of Four tet, Kode 9, and Theo Parrish in the current electronic/EDM movement.

He has a classically trained background he describes as ‘classical, baroque, romantic renaissance’.

He discovered through improvising  & experimenting on the piano  with what he later identified as jazz compositions.  That was how he learned to break the rules.

He cites he was influenced by the  Brazilain sounds of bossa nova of artists such as Gal Costa.

He was challenged to explore electronic music (which didn’t have the instruments such as the clarinet or violin) because the music still moved him.

He describes it as making sense of ‘organised noise’. He started finding music possibilities that he felt in every day, organic  sounds such as being on a train

The second track I listened to of Manchesters, Sam Bishop ( Floating points) was

Les Alpx -The video explodes colours of plasma have a calming effect to contrast to the tempo of the track

I love the energy. It’s bordering hardcore techno yet retains a melody I can relate to

Something I can only refer to as  -the  ‘soul clap’.  I’m not a huge fan of hardcore techno

If a track brings on a feeling resembling the soul clap then that is what usually wins me over.

What I like about his music is that he has insight into how he produces music  – there is a methodical approach creating music with science and using visual media create an immersive experience of sound and using visual imagery to create a space where we can see music. Music that engages multiple sensory stimuli.

I feel like Science x creativity with a touch of esotericism is a perfect equation for experimental music – He named his debut album-  Elaenia. (after having a dream about) a tropical bird.

Illogic Trimester review

 Illogic has pushed the boundaries with the track  ‘First trimester’ ( Illogic – Celestial Clockwork (2004)).

Each verse focuses on the different perspective of a couple and their unborn child going through the decision of whether to keep their child or have an Abortion.

It’s a lateral thought-provoking song to the Life versus Pro-choice debate.

It is Illogics maturest track to date.

It highlights the need to create more awareness (about not only women) but Men’s thoughts and emotions; about Life & Abortion & challenging our beliefs. It definitely engages critically with this still taboo subject.

We seether gamut of emotions the couple go through trying to keep their relationship together & looking at what is best for their futures. The inner conflict is raw. The last verse from a child’s perspective blew me out of the water.

Chapeaux Illogic

 

Jon Wayne Music Review

American rapper, poet and record producer from Los Angeles Jon Wayne-not your usual hip hop suspect.

‘My words are my only thing‘ reminds me of the saying I use a lot ‘write to recover’.

His emotional connection to his words and his passion are relatable & inspiring.

The Intro immerses you into a dream state with mesmerising percussion instrumentals

Looking at this non-stereotypical wordsmith:

A long-haired, casual, big man definitely stirred up my judgments.

How good is he going to be?

Jon Wayne has an effortless dope flow and on point rhyming.

This track ( taken from his ‘Rap album 2, 2017) is a personal narrative documenting his rise in the hip hop industry.

He decided at an early age that if he “made it” he would revel in the hip hop music fame lifestyle.

as he raps

Life’s too short for modesty.

This album is an album that “saved” Jon Wayne’s life as he was a full-blown alcoholic before he wrote this album. It is a product and a process of how he recovered from drinking.

The instrumentals layered under Jon Wayne’s beats and bars immerse you into his world of how he made it & he backs up his more bold lyrics with introspective lyrics that reveals how his experiences & character are informed.

The song is structured as a chronological timeline of his experiences. It is like a spoken word diary.

His lyrics have a bite to them that doesn’t come across as ostentatious (it may help that he looks like a big cuddly brother or friend)

2006 Dilla died and i was living off his gift

His candour & his ability to relate his experiences in a way that establishes what he wants to do in hip hop shows an endearing vulnerability. He is not afraid to state he promised himself that he would “body shit” ( and embrace his career ) if he became successful.

There is a depth to his lyrics and style of rapping that reveals someone who is not going to take his career or life for granted and will embrace all of it. He will even revel in his alter ego because of how far away he veered from being in a position to be so philosophical, and existentialist about expressing himself.

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 if I feel God in my home?Maybe, I write because I’m feeling odd in my bonesI wrote my poems so I could stay in my zoneThinking: Why go to chug when I exorcise this demon I’m not thinking of those

His soothing, smooth easy style of emceeing unravels a personal and autobiographical narrative. He raps so eloquently about ideas beyond his rise to the music industry that he is 100% G.O.A.T.

Big up to credible talent showing the best of the talent on the west coast of contemporary hip hop artists

If you wanna switch off you could

I threw it away

Not realising I would come to call it my most favoured crown.

Fascinated seeing my self riding waves of the guilt

drowned in salt tears of rumination to the hilt.

letting mom down

all my fam too.

Those who truly love me.

There are but few.

Hot damn! That’s better than cool.

Gave self-destruction a permit to ride out a course of self-flagellation

decorated in sleuth

The truth hit me oops upside of my head

Discombobulated -I saw the truth.

I let myself down

I deduce.

Take me back to my roots.

Be nt over crooked

wrung my hands for people who haven’t left my life

Yet

Anticipate gloom & doom.

allow these drum beats to perform

my body afloat

on cloud nine singing cheerfully to the staying alive tune…

Regrettably, I’m responsible for this present predicament.

There goes a fully armed disorderly platoon.

One setback

folded like that grieving widow.

She had a reason

I still have an abode

I’m not a widow.

I’m down on my knees & up off them almost like it didn’t happen

Stood defiant still feeding an outdated superstition

of other motives

This is my prison.

Trust in people

Risk my heart

Yes, It didn’t go my way

This was a time to not fall apart.

A glimmer of hope I’ll grow strong

again

Make mirth and merriment

not misery & disappointment.

I have only one person to blame.

I disappoint myself over and over again

then Surprise myself by what achievements I continue to create.

How am I to play this next move?

escape to another alternative reality – never to bloom!

Or talk about my feelings -is anyone listening?

Cos they have, what is the problem, strewth?

facing all that ‘I feel fat’ STUFF

Makes me wanna holler hey you, cat, scat!

Look me in the mirror & be proud

of my deeds for seven consecutive weeks.

Nor ask my loves to keep turning another cheek.

I’m ashamed.

I am to blame.

I have to fight

My mother is alright. I mean my mother is right.

This half-hearted escape acts

attempts on my life.

attempts to self-harm

They come & they go.

If I can keep this train of thought

the cravings of self-hate might go

come back

less frequently…

Perhaps I will still hold on to some of my dignity

or become a statistic…

We all end up a statistic one way or another

What statistic do I want to come under?

Now there’s a question to ponder over.

Elderbrook

 

Stopped everything I’m doing to post this track. It’s catchy. I first heard it back in 2018. Its got an almost haunting & entrancing introduction. When the intro kicks in with Elderbrook hypnotic chorus

‘If you wanna switch off you could’

You know you are going to be engaged from the start till the end.

 describing   his approach to the  music production process

Phonetics are as important as lyrics. My voice adds another important harmonic element to the sounds

It’s a mesmerizing song.  I love the repetition of words  & their apparent simplicity.  Hypnotic. It’s downtempo/ambient with a twist. The bridge chorus chants toying with your ears & soul.

The clicking sample has  ( is there an official term for this? )   adds an organic feel to this track  & fits with the harmony & lyrics. It’s GOAT.

Inherently, Elderbrook enjoys creating samples from simple sounds

two examples are, Breaking his reading glasses and the crackling of ice in a hot cup of coffee.

” I often bang the table I’m sat at, sample it and use that as my drums

It’s a sweet little find. The video is A Vincent van Gogh painting come to life. A paradox of a song- You can switch off to this yet still remain critically engaged. Who can switch off when someone is telling them too? Reverse psychologically 101?

Who is Elderbrook? British musician, producer & all-around Creativist, Alexander Kotz.

He’s relatively new on the electronic scene. His musical background started at 16 when he joined a folk/ indie band.

He initially wanted to explore the more soulful sounds of hip hop. This song captures the essence of the gospel


					

GUTS

Today’s not your average music GOAT review is by Parisian hip hop/Afro-funk /soul/electronic music producer  GUTS ( Fabrice Franck Henri)  new album’ philanthropiques'(March 2019). It is the Mama Makeba sizzler for this year (to date).

 

GUTS  started out making hip hop music before branching out to experiment with further genres of music.

GUTS  started out his career in the 90’s as a beat maker. He has collaborated with Common & De La Soul to name a few artists.

I call songs like this #goatbahs   or G.reatest O.f A.ll  T.ime ( or another translation dope songs) because I  think music like this in a league of its own.

 It is a song that reminds me of my childhood in Africa, Barcelona, Miami and all places tropical.  I’m a huge fan of French hip hop/electronica/genre.

‘Kenke corner’ has an infectious beat, rhythm & is guaranteed to take you to another place. A vibrant place  full of soul. A place to lose yourself & soak up multiple cultures.

This has got to be one of my fave songs for spring/summer 2019.

Guts-Philanthropiques album is clearly influenced by his love of the Balearic islands, Africa, Brazil, the Caribbean.

It’s like taking a trip to al the best tropical destinations.

GUTS called on a diverse bunch of global music artists to infuse this afro tropical album with an array of instruments-trombones, saxophones flutes, drums, bass & guitar, keyboards & we have an album that scintillates with celebration for life.

This experimental album has been labelled as  Afro Tropical.

Grab your virtual ticket and soar over jungle beats, bass & funk.

If you like this song or album then I would recommend listening to his ‘Les Bienhereux’ album to show how diverse his music is.

FACT: This is the first album to be recorded & released by wax on records  music ( Nightmares on wax label)

It’s fresh, funky, soulful, vibrant, and full of flavour.

G.O.A.T Track of the day

I’m a massive admirer of french artist, GUTS. I discovered his music a few years back with  the epic ‘ les bienheureux’ album produced by wax labels, 2007, who’ve  released  albums such as ‘Nightmares on wax presents ‘Nightmares on wax’

Bob powers ( Tribe called quest, Roots) took him under his wing and schooled him on how to keep his flavor full of flavor.

He’s a full trained four star chef!

His early music influences come from hip hop artists such as  KRS ONE and Public enemy.

His music reflects  his love of traveling and cultures and his fascination with cuisine.GUTS has exotic flavor  Some one who travels  extensively to  places like Senegal- has to be  conscious about global social issues.

 I have huge respect for any artist who uses their talent and works to explore urgent issues that need addressing. His music is  mostly mixed samples, electronic , hip hop beats with plenty of instrumental tracks.

Instrumental tracks tend to heighten our emotions in a way that classical music does. It forces our brains to interpret and understand the wider themes at play when listening to a song.

His love affair with hip hop began in the 80’s ,with GUTS sat in a Bronx apartment sampling thousands of tracks on his Akai MPC midi drum machine and mini sampler.

One of my favorite songs on the ‘Les bienheureux’ album is ‘the living is easy’ recorded using an Akai MPC 4000 midi /sampler. It’s simply superb. If you enjoy your animation  visuals then give this one a watch.

My Second favorite song is ‘Want it back ‘ featuring Patrice, taken off the album HIP HOP AFTER ALL’ – The video is worth the watch too. It speaks of the bigger issues plaguing our children’s future. The kids chorus disarms  with a blunt  message:

STOP SCREWING UP OUR HOME!

 

Another one of my favorite tracks is ‘Living like pigs’ taken off the 2009 album ‘Freedom’

Damn this  is a fine beat. He samples one simple loop – taken from the 1970’s track ‘The garden of Jane Delawney” by Francoise Hardy

The speech at the intro ( Mr Freedom, 1961,film) always gives me the  chills. It’s  like a wake up call to arouse our humanity.

To begin with, I’m gonna tell you the land of Freedom

is all about,

.No, you’re not dreaming….that land exists, Ladies and Gentlemen, you have been living like pigs… Open your eyes……

MR FREEDOM, 1961

The  words are hard hitting and blends  in with the  soma-like effect melody  threaded through out the song.

The entire song has a hypnotizing effect which I’d interpret as how people in our society easily grow bloated by over consumerism.

To me ,It speaks of the loss of humanity. Its such a simplistic beat yet; it sets off a complex array of emotions.

Here is the original  song that GUTS sampled.

 

Pretty sweet!

 

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Nu- jazz

Hugo Kant , french born hailing from the port city of Marseille. A smelting pot of culture.I am unavoidably drawn to french french electronic music and Marseille has a special place in my heart. My home for many years.

Surprisingly ‘gold‘ is his highest rated song. Its sexy and slick but not my personal choice..

It doesn’t compare with the dramatic narrative ‘Dr van helsing ‘‘ unfolds with its dark chasing twists & turns. It’s meowskies in the dark. Stealthlike.

I appreciate the song more after reading Bram Stokers ‘Dracula.’

Degiguigi , another french artist captivated me with ‘quand de te vous de moi? .

He mostly plays downtempo , future jazz. All these subgenres

Quelle h’ orreur! πŸ˜›Modern jazz.

I’m drawn to degiheuni as he’s is not afraid to improvise or fuse all that jazz ( hands πŸ‘‹πŸ–πŸ“―πŸŽΊπŸŽ™) with traditional hip hop music.

Every poet has to appreciate hip hop as being the influencing genre of music that used spoken word in a beat..

Everybody. πŸ˜€πŸ˜†

My petals are curling inwards..

Club duvet here I come…. πŸŒΌπŸ™ˆπŸ™ŠπŸ‘―β€β™€οΈπŸ‘‚

πŸ“›πŸ“΄

I’m kicking back & tuning out to astral travel to degiguigi ‘s entire album taken from ‘Endless smile.’

Its one of my top drawer albums ever. πŸ‘ŒπŸŽ©

IT’S dope, infectious, I have a thing for French electronic music.

Some One has to….. I’m sure I’m not the only one… πŸ€”πŸ˜ENDLESS SMILE

Music Feature HESSIAN

Bristol based experimental electronic  set up, Hessian.

Hessian is a Bristol based music producer covering the many intricate sub genres of electronic music. His sound portrays the relationship of organic and synthetic sounds creating an exciting composition often topped with a captivating vocal. Born in London and now residing in Bristol UK, Matthew de Souza aka Hessian studied music from a young age which led to his degree in Music Production. From then on he started writing music for TV and film and gradually developed his knowledge and creativity to produce the electronic music he produces today.

HESSAIN FACEBOOK PAGE

GOAT FEATURE  INTERVIEW TO COME