Progress Version 2.6
label: hong kong | environmentally

producers: thaione davis

guest: pugslee atomz
year of release: 2002
website: chicago78.com
 
Chicago head Thaione Davis steps up to the plate to give us an update on his "Progress", christening it the version '2.6'. Nicely piled are thirteen tracks, with vocal and instrumental cuts intertwined. And with five vocal songs appearing as instrumentals (plus one song in an alternative take) at the end too, you got your complete voiceless alternative.
With there however being little reason why you wouldn't want to hear what Thaione says. Those reasons however are fighting with the arguments of why you need to listen to the instrumentals. On tracks like "2001 Theori", Davis hooks up some vibes, that are looped. But the drums add the changes, flipping the usual duties. There's a certain real instruments appeal on other tracks, like "Guidance" that at first sticks with a bass, only later adding a flute to tell the story. This cut is very musical and you can easily imagine a combo play it in your favorite corner jazz club. "Enterlude" does not remain completely instrumental, as there's an excerpt of someone dismissing rap music put over the enormously nice musical background. Davis then ends the track with 'progress' singing, what opens the path for the song "Progress" to follow suit. And this might be Davis strongest moment, as the beat is incredible. A flute is melancholically singing in the back, while the piano and overall feel, still contain more than a grain of hope. Here Davis speaks though, and his words are on what progress means to him, speaking almost lovingly on this subject.

tracklisting
1. Guidance
2. Overdue
3. Miles Ahead
4. 2001 Theori
5. That's Life feat. Pugslee Atomz
6. Enterlusion
7. Progress
8. India 13
9. Trane Of Thought
10. En Route
11. Ride The Rails feat. Pugslee Atomz
12. High Tide
13. 2001 Reprise
14. Traveling Milestrumental
15. Overdue Instrumental
16. Progresstramental
17. That's Life Instrumental
18. Thoughtstrumental
19. Progress Alternative Take
With the second highlight appearing in "High Tide", a rather humble instrumental track, that has the orchestra rise and retreat like waves at your favorite beach. But as said, Thaione Davis also chooses to speak on things. Therefore he opens another track on his mixer to record his vocals for "Overdue". This topic indirectly does speak on 'progress', with it however strongly reminding Thai' of the other people's shortcomings. Therefore he flows in rather complex word patterns that then turn into a strong sentiment of self definition. "Miles Ahead" takes Thai' into the spirits of a Kerouac, with the travel not necessarily involving leaving your four walls. The flute of the shepherd is a point of orientation, that gets passed, never reached, and nevertheless stays at the horizon.
The guest appearances are few, with the guests being even fewer, as it's only Pugslee Atomz who's invited to join Davis. First on "That's Life", that's a motivational speakers opening session. Second Puglsee also appears on the iron horse riding "Ride The Rails", taking the two through the veins and arteries of the city. This Chicago Transit promotion song is an alternative and more concrete version of the more abstract "Trane Of Thought". With "En Route" connecting the two with actual train sounds.
Thaione is able to really get a signature type of sound out in only thirteen tracks. We seem to find understanding in the musicality, the instruments that sound as much played live as they sound well sampled. His style in lyrics, and his voice does remind us of one and a half people, what however should not be held against this man from the windy city. Who's not letting his hometown down, but instead keeps the track record clean, with him offering us another good record outta Chicago.
review: tadah
» back to top | last changed : 07.02.03
© 2000 - 2012.08 by urban smarts | contact