producers: the feenom circle

7. Misunderstanding

In a perfect world, every album artwork would be dope. As dope as the one that we are currently admiring, it making The Feenom Circle's "Souled Separately" CD a visual pleasure. But as appreciated a good artwork is, it still has to play a supporting cast role, because not even the best cover can excuse wack music. However it will not take you long to realize that we are not facing anything wack on this project here. Naw, already the first couple of sounds are letting us know that we are put in touch with jazzy music, that's often smooth, that is capturing the emotions not only with the words, but also with the beat that is playing a just as important role.

The good impression is a little held back on "Nothing Yet" by a too synthetic horn. That is however quickly forgiven once "Masters Too" appears. Here a with depth impressing piano is taking the guiding position. It is accompanied by a carefully programmed bass and drum, and as good as this beat is, the lyrics are taking it over the top, and taking it beyond lounge music. As they are spiritual, with the thoughts being expressed in poetic and eloquent ways, that are describing things like "the only place in this world where everything is making sense / to live experience not the fast paced contents / [...] I need time for hanging out / the salty air hits my emotions / [...] I'm conversating with the breaks / plus the breeze; this shit can bring you to your knees / [...] each second is a life time / like the earth is breathing for the first time". "Circulation" then is a rather harsh and chopped change, as the beat is consisting of bouncy and separated hits, that also allow the lyrics to spit some more frustrated, maybe even delegating rhymes.

And this is just the first track in the now changed styling, as also "I Ain't Askin" is doing things in a more demanding way. The head nodding will be set in place and the beat is not allowing you to rest in its structure. The lyrics are similarly uncomfortable, however not for us but the cats that recite 'em, as here we get the tale of things not going completely as desired. A quick poem is providing the bridge to the next cut, and if you look at the CD, it doesn't even count down the seconds. The opening of "Tunnel Vision" is using a singing structure that The B.U.M.S did a couple of years ago (while we are not sure if they borrowed it from someone else too), before a low bass is thumping through your speakers. The total of the track remains rather bare though, what allows the rhymers to get harsh. "Borrowed Time" is of a softened kind of hard, with a dramatic feel being coupled with lyrics that are strip teasing the soul bare and open.

Now another style then comes on on "Misunderstanding", where their Bay Area residence is disclosed, because we suddenly get a slight inclusion of thumping trunk beats, that are usually associated with riders and hustlers. And even the lyrics are somewhat getting street, as they are talking about the struggle, with always returning spray paint sounds working as a pillar element for this track. "Days Go By" then returns to the smoothness of the first two tracks, with jazzy vibes being the surface to position the game piece stones of more thoughtful lyrics on. And lastly there's a hidden track, where poems are rhythmically recited over a very musical and bluesy beat, that would have deserved a more official position, than only being put on here as the pleasant surprise at the end of a pleasing EP. That is especially dope when the beats are calmer, what are also the moments when the live instrumentation sounds the most fitting. However lyrically there's nothing to complain about, as content wise this is impressing us with daring honesty as well with daring to be personal and relevant.