I Remember

Here’s an odd paradox: a tribute to hip-hop’s old school (and middle school), my personal school of rock — a school built on the foundation of bumpin’ 4/4 beats pulsing through the undaground — in 3/4 time. It is, indeed, the time signature that is off the wall (and potentially off the hook). It messes with my nodding knoggin and makes my neck hurt a lil’.

My man, mein gut freund Steindork (aka Napdork, Yawndork, etc.) says, “most of the tension comes from the fact that you have a ternary/swing/shuffle groove which is pretty unusual in 3/4, even though vienna waltz has a slight swing in it too.” You see now that, to me, is über-cool. But alas! I know a little less than nothing about classical theory. Nevertheless I like the idea of mashing a little swung-out-vienna-waltz-funk into my take on this think called hip-hop. This blah-g will document that experiment.

Yup, I’m gonna document the progress of this one… though, that may be a slow process as I am not sure where I am going with it. If you have eyes that are following these lines, then I am assuming those eyes are some how connected to fingers that are connected to a keyboard. Perhaps you could convince them fingers to tap keys and leave behind a little feedback?!! (if you go to www.soundcloud.com, you’ll be able to add comments directly to the waveform player. Sweetness.)

What it is thus far? Watch:
Monitor Mix 1:
Vox :
- verse 1 is one take. I like the energy and emotive cadence in this. Probably gonna be the keeper
- verse 2 comped from 3 takes. I had to comp this one as it was 90% freestyle – improvisation, and I got tongue tied twice and choked on something the other time.
Vocal treatment… sparce. A little compression ala IK Fairchild emulation (I’ll check that and edit this accordingly). And a little of the secret weapon that is CMX from my pal schwa, maker of some fine fricken audio plugins.
Beat: Built in Reason 4, Rewired into Reaper (nevermind the version it will update faster than this track!) Some Drum samples tweaked a little but needing some more love. Some funky melodic samples sliced and diced a tad.

monitor mix 1:

This entry was published on October 23, 2009 at 10:23 pm and is filed under Lyrics, Works In Progress.... Bookmark the permalink. Follow any comments here with the RSS feed for this post.

11 thoughts on “I Remember

  1. Nice sound on this. Keep it up!

    • You masterfully tell the story and captured the spirit and sound of the beginning and middle “kingdoms” periods of hip hop. Took me back to the sound scape of my young adulthood in Bed Sty hanging with friend from the Bronx and other boroughs. My the Faithful Friend continue guide and inspire your pen, your rhime and poetics as well as your flow.

      RN

  2. Haleh Samimi on said:

    Talisman! I just wanted to say that “Rememberance” is a great song. Danceable! Keep up the great song writing and performance!

  3. What a wonderful clear clean pure sound! It is so uplifting to the soul and mind to hear the positive purposeful meanings of the power of words put to music, rhythm and sound. Being generations more ancient than yours, hip hop is not particularly my style – but I can see that the younger generations are completely wild with HH. What a bounty to be able to pursue your calling to the betterment of the world.

  4. Janet McGrath on said:

    I like the subtle contrast in speed when he says “I remember”. It’s a strong punctuation..gives focus and attention to the theme… It’s the kind of song that feels like a universal theme…one doesn’t need to ‘remember’ old school hip hop to appreciate the lyrics….we all have something we have been a part of that has changed, and of honoring and exploring the experience through memory….It reminds me in general of experiences and/or practices that are formative…you only know how important they were and the role they played when you look back in retrospect….

    tamalik

  5. Remember reminds me of times I knew – but – for some reason do not remember – thank you for reminding me of matters and issues I need to remember…. Keep it up and do not loose the beat…. feel my admiration of your skills……

  6. Jim Tichenor on said:

    Tallis-Man – Nice job. Good listening and thoughtful. Keep going. Jim

  7. Tallis. Strong sincere intent here. Cool understated back ground worked well. The big clear voice had me singing along. Thanks!
    Hero
    (Dale Robertson)

  8. Julie Powell on said:

    Man, you have talent! I’ve never really paid alot of attention to most hip hop music but I really like this song. It’s got a jiggy groove. Love the “I re-mem-ber HIP HOP” part. This song has alot of unspoken depth to it. It tells a background story… I could see it being used in a movie. Okay, I have to go back and listen one more time.

  9. Dr. Carrie Bourassa on said:

    Very cool, innovative and unique sound!

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