Change is on the verge of arriving. Just look up at the night sky.
This past Saturday saw a full moon. For most of the world, Earth's largest satellite was fully visible; white as a French space program. But such was not the case for the western United States, where the moon's hue was slightly more ominous. Granted, the name did not help either. For the third time in just the past two years a total lunar eclipse resulted in a blood moon
To the trained eye, however, a visit from the Distortion God could be read in the stars.
March 13th passed without so much as a teaser. No explanation was afforded. As a matter of fact, the mystery remained until last night. A second date for the release of 808s of Life 2 - set to coincide with the release of Dragon Ball Z: Resurrection F - was announced. Of course, in the internet era this can already be considered lifetime away. Young Thug has since announced the release of The Carter IV for April 17th. The aforementioned tweet no longer available.
Fortunately, a coded message has been left behind with the numbers 4/18/15 and some Escherian interior design ideas. Titled, "N1 Xam" the song below whets the appetite. The sounds like old Memphis are inescapable. Bass is bigger than a Gundam. The floor shakes with every step taken. Meanwhile, the drums - hi-hat/compressed snare - small small by comparison. Both the production and the performance are handled by Khalil Nova. A nod to Bob Marley is shouted; flow reminiscent of Tennessee and new Atlanta. Best of all, though, is a return to what makes Nova beats great. The synth lay out open up the song. As the melody sounds like a space funk riff, a galaxy of possibility made with the harmony. Two other synths provide additional depth, although the chopping and screwing, handled by Nova Councilman Jesse Doragon, helps too.
Whether or not the project will be released on time or feature more collaboration is unknown. But in the mean time, quite the sample has been put forth.
Notable Mention: JaaRdel [Black Starz Dj's] - "nosso"
The second selection utilizes a minimal aesthetic as well.
Otherwise, the link is non existent; the sound is much more like deep techno than hip-hop.
Based in Talaide - some twelve miles west of Lisbon - JaaRdel is a beat-maker that makes up half of the Black Starz Dj's Portugal contingent. What can be heard below is mid-tempo, relatively unstructured batida released earlier today. Which is to say, rather than develop a definite idea, the producer opts for a impressionistic approach. The sound of a vibraphone and a four to the floor bass begins the track. Meticulously the song is unpacked and a kuduro influenced beat is heard from, curiously enough, an open and a closed hi-hat. Three synths are heard but rely predominately on short, single notes that fill a percussive role. An effect is used to syncopate as a digital cymbal swings the rhythm. A disembodied, single syllable voice is the coup de grace.
A captivating track both appearance and theory: Not only does "nosso" sound good, but it reveals that the undiscovered possibilities still exist.
- J.N.
A Noggle Brain Trust, LLP. website
No comments:
Post a Comment