ROBERT GLASPER Revisits MILES DAVIS For "Everything's Beautiful"

I have been meaning to pust this for quite some time but never got around to it but this is a record that I for one will not sleep on. Just like Branford Marsalis and GURU was the ambassadors for jazz and hip-hop fusion in the '90s, the incredibly talented producer Robert Glasper has taken over that role in this day and age. And just like Marsalis he is an incredibly talented jazz producer and pianist with a very deep understanding for grat hip hop. For his upcomng project "Everything's Beautiful" he was invited into the Miles Davis' (the greatest artist of all time) vast collection of original studio tapes by the good people over at the Miles Davis Foundation (which includes son Erin Davis and newphew Vilbert Vincent, Jr. who both played with Miles on stage during the last part of his career). 

The idea for the project is a noble one, rather than an album of covers of the classic Miles tunes, which are never as good as the originals either way, Glasper and co. has dug deep into the archives to find the best samples and found interesting ways to put Miles' voice into a 21th century setting. Considering that the legendary trumpeter, who was always on the move, was going full hip-hop with his last release "Doo Bop" in collaboration with Easy Mo Bee there's no question in my mind that he would be proud of a project like this which makes it a lot more tasteful than several cash-in EP:s and the likes that have been released over the years. "Everyting's Beautiful" sees Glasper play and build on tracks he has reconstructed in the production chair from both Miles' classic that anyone knows such as "All Blues" as some of the more rare material that only true afficionandos as myself are aware of. To top it off he has invited a host of amazing producers and singers to round out the project, including Erykah Badu, 9th Wonder, Phonte, Rashad "Ringo" Smith, Bilal.

Check out the mini documentary on MilesDavisVevo up top and peep the first single "Ghetto Walkin'" featuring Bilal over this paragraph. And turn that volume up while you're at it! And in case you have missed out be sure as hell to check out the trailer for the highly anticipated Don Cheadle vehicle "Miles Ahead" where he has really gone into the acing method of performance to tell a highly fictionalized account of Miles' later years. It's been getting rave reviews at film festivals and should be on one of the best of the year. Peep the trailer here 

[Album] AMIRI - "This is Part Time"

Though some may be suprised, strong, introspective emcee Amiri has released a total of four albums since 2010 (two solo endeavours, and two as part of his duo with producer Spectac). I have to admit that Amiri is a new name to me, but he's signing on impressive underground label HiPNOTT and especially the lead single "Broke"  really made me to take notice Amiri's HiPNOTT debut is called "This is Part Time" and creates a close-to-perfect soundbed for the emcee's clever wordplay. If you like me and love jazz and smooth '70's classics, this is one amazing album that needs to be given a chance by my readers. The full-length LP and is suprisingly entirely produced by the man himself; so not only is he a really talented spitter, but the same goes for his skills behind the boardsl.

Released yesterday, HiPNOTT and Amiri has put up the entire album for free streaming via their Bandcamp page where you can also show your support for the the digital album by donating an amount of your choosig. It is also available on CD copies via UGHH right now, hopefully we will se a vinyll release as this is bonkers!