•
Rating:
Nouvelle cuisine
Who is RJd2? A genius that Spin magazine even introduced as the Glenn Gould of sampling… a challenging statement, but one I believe he deserves. A freelance producer and remixer, RJ has already left his precious touch on productions by Mos Def, Massive Attack, El-P, Elbow, Cannibal Ox… the list is long and the story is much more intricate. I’ll end the brief bio by mentioning that Since we last spoke is his second solo album (here you can find his complete discography). I think the mentioned names are enough to understand where RJ operates.
It’s a Definitive Jux record, but it could find its place also in Ninja Tune, Lex, or Novamute catalogs. An extremely complex and sophisticated record, yet it manages to capture the attention of even untrained ears. We find the pure attitude of hip hop looping, but there’s no rap; some tracks are sung by RJ himself, others by guests, and others naturally by samples. We find simple intimate vocal melodies, funky groove beats, both nocturnal and sunny atmospheres, saxophones, flutes, pianos, drums, guitars, analog synths, electro experiments, and stylistic changes within the same track that seem irreconcilable. There’s mastery in crafting and fitting clean, classy, unsurpassed loops and above all, the sound of sampled vinyl in almost the entire album. As a cherry on top, in the ghost track, there’s even room for a bold orchestrated sampling of lyrical singing. Hip hop meets funk, classic, electro, rock, jazz, latin, prog, avant-garde, soul… in a definitive mix!
I will talk about just one track, the one that stuck in my head and often forces me to put Since we last spoke in the record player, and it’s Ring Finger. Hunt it down, listen to it, it’s simply brilliant, transitioning from groovefunk beat to a poetic classical guitar solo to transform into trip hop with a warm and evocative female voice, then returning to funk in an explosion of saxophones and post-James Brown screams. The entire album is great, and I recommend it to those eager for an experience beyond musical genres. Listen to the samples here… What do you think?
It’s a rare example of hip hop- patchwork-mix-mush that manages to create an unprecedented taste from many ingredients, extravagant and not, good and not just "strange" or "original", because what I heard is indeed a mature listening album, not a mere exercise in style.
RJ has talent comparable to a genius like Four Tet. Recommended.
Tracklist Lyrics and Videos
02 Exotic Talk (03:43)
[ooo yea ooh]
[ohh lah lah lah]
(x3, repeated three time)
it's the song
this is the time
it's the sound (???)
03 1976 (02:27)
Istanbul.
I'm sure now.
Istanbul.
I don't buy, I own
I saw a lady falling,
I'm sure now.
Istanbul.
I don't buy, I own.
(x2)
The sun is shining, [Marvin].
[Marvin]
Istanbul.
I'm sure now.
Istanbul.
I don't buy, I own.
I saw a lady falling,
I'm sure now.
Istanbul.
I don't buy, I own.
The sun is shining, [Marvin].
[Marvin].
I saw a lady [falling],
[Marvin].
04 Ring Finger (03:47)
1, 2... 1 2 3 4 [oooh! ahh!]
{during the first 25 seconds it sounds like there's an "uhn" with the snare hit}
And now,
Don't pull me down on you.
I be the woman of a consume.
Comes from the saught desires,
I can be loved.
Follow those pleasures,
There she goes.
Please lover stay.
(eyyy AHHH!) x4 {AHHH! is faded out with the snare hits}
{the below onomatopoeia-type samples occur during this next lyrics section, but are very low in volume. Same with below}
My love for a woman from (...?). (???) (x2)
I be the woman of a consume.
(x5)
Ahh!
Jump up!
Ahh!
[pu pmuJ]
Ahh!
Jump up!
OHHHH! {only four time}
{Verse}
My love for a woman from (...?). (???) (x2)
I be the woman of a consume.
08 Clean Living (04:29)
Everything you are to me.
Makes me think that you could be,
The end to all my...
Everything you touch turns right.
Underneath your very eyes. (???)
Everybody's life rolls by,
Like a melancholy song.
Can you see me differently?
I believe that you see Me.
Everything you are to me.
Makes me think that you could be,
The end to all my...
Everything you touch turns right.
Underneath your very eyes. (???)
11 Through the Walls (03:27)
Girl I know you won't come back.
I've got to get a hold of this.
But if it won't work out,
What will I do?
If I could have my way you would,
Be just a memory to fade,
Until that no one here would ever find.
Girl I know you won't come back.
I've got to get a hold of this.
But if it won't work out,
What will I do?
Could've loved you.
What will I do?
12 One Day (04:50)
I know I said it,
Many times before
I've always said that some day i'd leave,
And never come back no more.
Maybe one day,
I have the strength to leave.
I know you told all your friends.
What a fool, he'll always be.
But as soon as i try,
Something takes a hold of me inside.
Yes, it does.
Oh baby!
Can't let [go]
I'm not trying to threaten you baby,
That's not something i would do.
But maybe the thought of losing me,
Should show you i'm your fool.
Maybe one day,
I have the strength to leave.
I know you told all your friends.
What a fool, he'll always be.
But as soon as i try,
Something takes a hold of me inside.
Yes, it does.
Oh baby!
Can't let [go]
I've been a [fool]! (x6) {fade out}
Loading comments slowly
