Treble & Blues

A jazz musician walks on-stage with a glass of scotch, enjoying the ambiance of the hazy venue while motioning his band members to play a tune as he prepares to give an introduction. The opening 4-note piano riff of this song is played, and immediately, the excited audience understands the vibe of the musical journey ahead.

I made this track during a late night in Korea while my parents were sleeping. As they rested for the long day ahead of them, I wondered what they felt the first time they met, the first time they kissed, and the first time they held me in their arms. Immediately, a jam by The Stylistics played on iTunes, and I knew that this was it.

The sounds of the Roland 808 drum machine have remained a vital part of musical history for over 20 years, but in the last few, it has mainly been utilized to emphasize a pounding kick that blasts in the rooms of crazy clubs. This jam incorporates the 808 kick with horns, pianos, strings, and other instruments that define my music.

The opening audio clip is from the 1995 film Powder, which I remember watching in awe as a kid. As the main character explains to his romantic interest that each individual in this world is connected, I thought about everyone in my life that I’ve been fortunate to meet, and how nothing is coincidental. Smoke a blunt to this one.

I threw in this brief clip of T3 talking about why he loves Japan because (a) it’s hilarious and (b) it’s a good lead-in to the next track. For those of you that may (unfortunately) ask me if I made the track playing in the background, the answer is no. The instrumental is from the Dilla-produced “Climax (Girl Shit)” by Slum Village.

The beauty of music is that it can take you to any place you envision. Although music is taken in through your ears, it can paint vivid pictures and unforgettable images in your mind. I wanted to take the listener through an evening in Japan, detailing everything from busy streets to cherry blossom trees purely through sound.

I made this joint back in October to prove to myself that I can flip more than just soul, jazz, and blues samples. What started out as a simple challenge of chopping up a pop sample became an eye-opener for me, as this ended up being one of my favorite flips to this day. Take a close listen to the hook to understand the title.

The jazz performer has now played through a few of his well-known tracks, and he’s ready to mellow out the crowd that has enjoyed the ride thus far. With saxophone strapped around his neck, he takes a breath, belts out a few notes, and the blue lights dim further. The jazz club on 131 West 3rd Street in New York is in for a treat.

As the album nears its end, I wanted to remind the listener that I’m not here to simply make a few beats for leisure and hope they take me somewhere. Like any artform, there is always competition, but at the same time, there will be those that will join you. This is for everyone looking to win in whatever they pursue with their team.

“You are looking at a traveler who just bought a ticket for a special kind of a trip.” Let that statement and the title of the track guide your mind to what it sees when you listen to the jam.

Not only is Rakim one of the greatest lyricists to ever step foot in the game, his philosophy towards life and the ways to maneuver through it are crucial to the overall understanding of hip hop culture. The power of your mind will guide you through everything. Simply put, that is what will continue to guide me.