Music Addikts

Kellz has definitely had his share of highs and lows in his career. And although controversy seems to follow him everywhere he goes, so does his fanbase. When it’s all said and done outside of his questionable private life, the man still has it. What is IT you ask, a solid voice, great stage presence, lyrical skills that keep listeners interested and well….listening. He has raw talent. It’s funny to me that some of the best artists, musical and otherwise, have so many struggles in their personal lives. Kelly channels one of those artists, who received a lot of ridicule in his personal life, on his album. There are quite a few Michael Jackson references on “Love Letter”, from Jackson-esque ad libs to the “Taxicab” track where you can almost hear MJ’s spirit all off it. Of course the album is riddled with Chicago style two step tunes. R. Kelly has a way with hitting us with these types of tracks without it sounding redundant. One of my favorite tracks on the album so far aside from “When a Woman Loves” is the title track. It just feels good and makes you wanna move. The album is set to be released next Tuesday.  For more info visit www.r-kelly.com.

Love Letter

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Taxi Cab

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Let me paint the picture for you. I couldn’t wait to get my hands on this album. I saw Cee Lo (@theladykiller on twitter) tweet about the album being on iTunes.  I sat in my office watching each song download, at a speed not fast enough for me to bare! As we say in Trini, “Watch pot doh boil.”  I finally got the deluxe version of the album and stuffed my earbuds in my ears for the experience.

I first got a taste of the album from the three songs that were in circulation prior to the release of  “The Lady Killer.” The first was “I Want You” which surprised me, because the album version is different from the pre-released version.  “Fuck You” and “Bright Lights Bigger City” followed. The least of my faves was “Fuck You.”  I must admit I was prejudiced to the title.  The music is dope, but I did not agree with the energy the title portrayed.  I certainly got a lesson about not “judging a book by the cover.”  The lyrical content and wit won me over in the end.  The song is metaphoric, as with most artists who are in love with their craft refer to music as a woman, but you are able to relate to it without peeling off the layers, as well.  

“Bodies” and “Love Gun” set the theme of the album.  Lauren Bennett certainly added the feminine passion to “Love Gun” with undertones of a James Bond like symphony, riding in the background.  Throughout the album, Cee Lo amply uses Motown-like orchestral horns and strings in a manner that breathes refreshing artistic and cerebral air into the music.  I think if this album was redone for orchestral arrangement for a tour it would be a smash!

Also threads in the fabric of the album are passion and love, plain and simple.  Love in its splendor.  Love for life and experiences and love for music and her nature to be unrequited.  “The Lady Killer” is like sitting back and taking a hit of a potentially poisonous drink that takes you to a twisted high of lyrics, great instrumentation and creativity only Cee Lo Green can deliver.

Here’s the scenario: I am in Atlanta, chillin’ with Music Addikts and The Foreign Exchange family. Both Phonte and Nicolay are at Moods Music buying up most of the CD’s in the store. Nicolay suddenly makes an urgent move towards the rack behind me and snatched a copy of Dam Funk’s latest project and uttered, something like, “I gotta get this dude’s shhhhhh!” So I took the hint. Besides, I saw it as an opportunity to get a peek into Nic’s musical mind.

 24 tracks later I am in FUNK HEAVEN. This cat is on some next level of elevation. This is hip hop meets funk, meets broken beat, laced with acid and infused with a musical euphoria only a headphone junkie can relate to. To steal from one of my favorite artists, in one word this album is… “Esoteric.”

 Every track is reminiscent of the P-funk (Parliament Funkadelic) and Zapp influence, both of whom were arguably futuristic composers of their time. Dam Funk has kept the West coast funk drum concept and took it to an extraterrestrial plane with cuts like “The Sky is Ours.” Synth-laced cords with minimal vocals and lyrics of encouragement. Near the end of the song, the notes used get a bit confusing in an unexpected dissonant melee. I am still trying to figure that one out…LOL

“Come On Outside” is an invitation to the aural ride, Toeachizown provides. If you are into the lounge house vibe, you will like “Searchin 4 Funk’s Future.” Two of my picks off the album are “Candy Dancin’ ” featuring Mark De Clive-Lowe and “Killdat AKA Killdatmuthafu*ka.” I am a sucka for dope bass riffs, and synth bass. This whole album is loaded full of them.

 Short and sweet, Toeachizown is worth the $16 for the hard CD and about half that on the digital purchase on Amazon or iTunes. For 24 real tracks and zero wack ass skits (which I don’t consider tracks, BTW), I would have to say 5 of 5 needles for content, enjoyability, range of vibes, production and Addiktiveness. Now go get your own Toeachizown!

I finally got my hands on the full album Airtight’s Revenge by Bilal, that is eagerly anticipated by many (yours truly included). Immediately I was sucked into the aural trip by the first track, “Cake and Eat it Too.” This track is reminiscent of Bilal’s work on 1st Born Second, but that’s where it ends.

This new album is a new vibe and it’s a fresh expression of Bilal’s vocal talent and versatility. Such songs as “Level” and “All Matter” are proof of the range of genres that make Airtight’s Revenge hard to safely categorize.

Tinted by Bilal’s darker musical colours, you are plunged into surreal imagery on “Flying,” then whisked away into a nujazz, trance-like, piano laden “Level”. In contrast, you are incited to escape Groupthink with “Robot” and “Dollar” and many revelations are expressed in “Who Are You” (one of my favorite cuts). The guitar and synths coupled with Bilal’s voice, create pockets in the song’s self-reflection and acceptance, then tops off with a reggae aria! I can’t wait to hear this song live!

Summarily, I did not quite like the album at first or second listen, I felt like I was duped by the first track. But alas, I gave the album a thrice over and then a fourth listen. Lesson: sometimes it takes more than one listen. For my Music Addikts and Earphone Junkies, I gave Airtight’s Revenge 3.5 needles out of 5 (DJ needles that is).

For more information on DJ PHAZE, please visit his website and follow him on Twitter.