Wax Tailor: Tales of Forgotten Melodies (2006)

::: So I haven't written a post in a while now, but lately I've been enjoying a lot of instrumental hip hop. One of my favorite artists from the last couple years is a French hip hop producer named Wax Tailor. He has been around since the early 1990s, but I hadn't heard of him until I came across his album Tales of Forgotten Melodies. What makes this release great is the variety of sound that Wax Tailor combines, everything from hip hop to jazz to soul and all in between. These elements are held together by samples and beats that make you feel like you are in an old 1950s movie. Some have descibed his music as "cinematic hip hop" because he incorporates melodies and vocal samples from films of the past. Though the concept is not new, Wax Tailor does a great job of setting the mood of the album, switching between styles much like a movie changes its scenery, direction, and emotional emphasis. Basically it is just some entertaining instrumental music with dope drum beats, unique samples, and a couple guest rappers and singers. Definitely recommended, along with his newer album Hope & Sorrow.

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Aesop Rock: Appleseed EP (1999)

::: For those of you who have heard Aesop Rock before, you might think Float was his first album, or maybe even Labor Days. But before his semi-major label deal with Mush for Float, there were two releases that Aesop put out on his own. The first was entitled Music For Earthworms, which is a great album to start off his collection, followed by his Appleseed EP. I chose to write about Appleseed because it is one of my favorite Aesop releases overall. At only eight total tracks, it is similar to his later Daylight EP, in that every song is solid and there isn't any filler. One great thing about this album is that Aesop produced almost all of the beats, with the exception of "Sick Friend" (Omega) and "1000 Deaths" (Blockhead). The beats are not all that complicated, usually a combination of the traditional sample and drum loop, but they work well with Aesop's distinct style. With Aesop I think it works best when there is a steady rhythm to balance out his unpredictable and complex delivery. One of my favorite Aesop tracks of all time is on Appleseed, entitled "Hold The Cup," and there is also a cameo from Dose One on the last track, "Odessa." Appleseed is a must-have for any Aesop Rock fan, and a good start for those looking to get into his music.

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Def Jux Bio

Alias: Muted (2003)

::: I'll start off by saying that my favorite producer of instrumental hip hop music would have to be Alias of Anticon. Everything that he creates is amazing, but I'll give my two cents on his 2003 album Muted. I first came across Alias when I heard the Anticon Label Sampler a few years back and was blown away by his tracks "Sixes Last" and "Unseen Sights" featuring Markus Acher of The Notwist. I would describe his music as a mixture of ambient electronic and distorted, hard-hitting drum beats, but that is really oversimplifying it. Muted is one of those albums that when you start listening you almost have to play it all the way through because it is so diverse and compelling. The instrumentation is at times airy and beautiful, and others dark and haunting, all composed by Alias on his impressive collection of studio equipment. But this harmony is offset in many cases by his MPC constructed drum beats that are always dope and always distinct. The beats are coated with distortion, varying between rapid hi hats and sharp snare hits, always with a heavy bass line. All of these elements combine to form a dark and beautiful masterpiece of instrumental hip hop that heads and beat enthusiasts are sure to enjoy. If you are a fan of Anticon, or just instrumental hip hop in general, you have to get this album. Muted is one of the dopest releases I have heard in a long, long time. And if you like this album, definitely check out all of his other albums, as they are equally enthralling.

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Cannibal Ox: The Cold Vein (2001)

::: Once in a while you come across an album that is truly one of a kind. The music isn't recycled, the flows are unorthodox, and the atmosphere is otherworldly. The Cold Vein, by Cannibal Ox, is an exemplification of unconventional. I would describe the album as sounding as though it was from the streets of Harlem, circa 2120. As if Vast Aire and Vordul Mega were frozen in time, only to be revived along side producer El-P, who uses his old school turntables to scratch the sounds of tomorrow. The vocals are rough and gritty, with an emphasis on abstract wordplay and aggressive verbal assaults. Vast Aire has a delivery unlike anyone I've heard before, where his slow and almost offbeat vocals highlight the chaotic nature of El-P's production. Vordul Mega is a nice accompaniment to Vast's elocution, as his monotone voice helps to balance out the sound. Overall, this album is not exactly what I would call "user-friendly," but it is one that is innovative, unique, and ahead of its time. I suggest listening to it a couple times through before making a judgement. Once you get used to Vast Aire's flows and El-P's production, you will presumably understand why The Cold Vein has been critically acclaimed since its debut in 2001. Definitely Recommended.

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