RJD2 - "More Is Than Isn't" 2013
RJD2 is an artist who I really want to like more than I currently do. The whole way his career is set up is pretty much exactly what i'm looking for in music. Instrumental beat creations, some sample based, some live instrument based. Some rap songs. Some pop songs. Even a touch of funk. Why is it that I just don't enjoy his last few releases very much? (I was more into his Insane Warrior side project than I was into the last 2 RJD2 albums) There's a certain stiffness to his sound, and I think that may be part of what hinders my enjoyment. I've become more accustomed to the LA beat scene style of their way beats swing, and RJ doesn't do that. He keeps everything fully on the beat all the time. Very mathematical. I feel like at this point, RJ is just kind of redoing his own blueprint of what an album should be like as this album is VERY similar to his last one "The Colossus". He's added a slightly more jazzy undertone on this one, but all in all, this album plays out pretty much the same as that last one did for me. There's enough cool songs to keep me a satisfied fan, but ultimately the album doesn't provide me with the excitement that I need in order for me to truly cherish it. It's a shame because I really enjoy certain aspects of this album. I noticed that I tend to enjoy these songs more when I hear them singularly within shuffle as opposed to listening to this LP all the way through. Take that for whatever it's worth. Check out the video for "Her Majesty's Socialist Request". (definitely one of the strongest tracks on the album.... good choice to be the video). Also check out "Got There Sugar", "Winter Isn't Coming", "Love & Go" (featuring Aaron Livingston), and "See You Leave" (featuring Khari Mateen + STS).
Benny B. Blonco - "Random Knocks" 2013
Apparently, Benny B. Blonco is someone who was affiliated with the LA beat scene in some faction, who abruptly disappeared from the scene a few years ago, never to return, and nobody knows his whereabouts. This is a collection of his beats that were made in between 2008-2010. These beats are fucking insanely good. This album is right on par with the best material from people like Samiyam, Dibiase, and Shlohmo.... even Flying Lotus himself. I can't understate how dope this album is. This is available as a free download, and there's also a short explanation of what it is here, on this page.
Document One - "Dubstep Ain't Dead It Just Smells Funny" 2014
This was a little free download I nabbed. 3 songs. Nothing too special, but not bad either. I like the hyper-fast keyboard parts that he does. I wish there was more of that in these songs and less annoying/distracting vocals, but that's just my personal preference. You can download it or listen to it here.
Wax Tailor - "Dusty Rainbow From The Dark" 2012
Wax Tailor is an artist that certain people kept telling me that I needed to hear, based on what they know about my personal taste, and I always found it odd that I had never really come across the name through my own journeys online. Maybe he's the type of artist that they push heavily on Pandora or Spotify. I don't use those sites, so that's my best guess. Upon hearing/seeing some of his stuff on youtube, I immediately enjoyed it, but also noticed how similar his style is to people that I was already a huge fan of, like Blockhead, Daedelus, and Kid Koala. This album has a bunch of great songs to choose from, but the way the interludes string this together to make this an album, doesn't really work for me. It's perfectly executed, and makes you feel like you're listening to a read-along storybook, but, and I hate to say this because I enjoy this guy's production, I find these interludes rather tedious and corny. You can tell he's immensely talented, the way a lot of the samples are woven together. All of the guest vocalists are great sounding too. Jennifer Charles from Lovage and Elysium Fields appearing on here was definitely a nice touch. I'll be interested to see where he takes his career in the future. I hear he's doing work with an orchestra now. This is another one of those albums where I like the individual songs better than I like hearing the whole LP. Good for shuffle. Check out the videos for "Heart Stop" (featuring Jennifer Charles), "Time To Go" (featuring Aloe Blacc), "Only Once (featuring Ali Harter), "Down In Flames" (featuring Sara Genn), "From The Dark", (wow, this video is crazy good) and "Dusty Rainbow" (featuring Charlotte Savary). Also check out "No" and "Past, Present, & Future (Rock N Roll)".
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