![]() ![]() And while the drums are on point in nearly every song, for the most part the percussion plays second fiddle to the creative samples that he incorporates. Apollo Brown simply has a way of blending sounds together to create harmonious and flowing melodies, and each instrument – every snare hit, every trumpet and horn, every piano chord – seems to be perfectly tuned and in place. Incredible as it may sound for such a lengthy release, there is practically no filler material, and each beat sounds just as carefully and thoughtfully crafted as the next. It is almost a shame to break down "Clouds" song by song, because the album is best listened to all at once from start to finish, with each track flowing seamlessly into the next. She could be my broad, and I could be her nigga" Shooting for her heart, got my finger on the trigger "I should quit chasing, and look for something betterīut the smile that she shows makes me a go-getter Finally, Apollo Brown gives listeners a taste of the old school with "Shoot the Heart," which samples a couple bars from the Pharcyde classic "Passing Me By," and the laid back vibes and quirky drum beat blend seamlessly with the lyrics: Contrary to most everything else, "Push" has an "out of this world" vibe to it, with a hypnotic electric piano and a shimmering set of synths that sound like they belong on another planet. Of course, Apollo Brown is known for his use of R&B/soul samples, as well, and "Drinking Life" exemplifies this style perfectly, as the chopped vocals and uplifting trumpet and horns carry the track. "Seed of Memory" has a similar jazzy feel to it, with a soft grand piano and what sounds like a set of wind chimes over a sparse drum kit that sees a crashing cymbal broken up only by the occasional snare hit, making for one of the more mellow songs on "Clouds." On the flip side, "Bridge Through Time" has an upbeat and lighthearted feel, as flowing synths and electric pianos mesh with the riding drum pattern. "Black Pearls" features a flowing jazz trumpet sample that glides across the track and chopped orchestral synths to complement the steady drum beat. The album's sheer range and variety of songs is remarkable. Soon, I found myself lost within the truly majestic musical environment that Apollo Brown creates with "Clouds," and my previous skepticism was all but forgotten. The opening song begins with a sample from the title track to the 1973 musical film "Lost Horizon," and the words "have you ever dreamed of a place far away from it all…" float across the gentle acoustic guitar. Despite my appreciation for Apollo Brown's style of production, I was initially slightly skeptical of "Clouds" and had my doubts as to whether I would be able to fully immerse myself in the music. Hip-hop beats need lyrics like peanut butter needs jelly a track feels almost naked without an emcee to bless the mic, and as a result there is a tendency for instrumental albums to leave the listener somewhat unsatisfied and wanting more. Thus, when I heard that his latest project would be a 27-track instrumental album, I was anxious to see what else the Detroit-based producer had in store. In a day and age when it is difficult to find a producer who creates a new and unique sound while still incorporating the gritty roots that birthed hip-hop, it became apparent that Apollo Brown embodied this vision. Although he produced only three tracks on the CD, I was immediately struck by his old-school production style, featuring hard-hitting drums over chopped R&B/soul samples and sweeping strings and horns. I first heard of Apollo Brown four months ago while reviewing "Helpless Dreamer," a compilation album featuring different emcees and producers from Brown's Mello Music Group label. Whether to meditate on a certain mood within, or to accompany heavy reflection, Clouds puts forth music to provoke thought.Apollo Brown :: Clouds :: Mello Music Group This album is a collection of instrumentals put together to do just that. Formed in different sizes, shapes, and colors, set high in the sky or hanging low at arms reach, clouds seem to stir up a type of calm that we all need at times. For some, clouds come to mind when pondering over the definition of being lost in thought. Clouds is a 50 minute instrumental ride, a backdrop for reflection. This complex, mello instrumental album is ideal on a winter afternoon, or as a nightcap to the day. While most have come to know Apollo's production for its smash mouth, head nodding, grime, Clouds reveals another aspect of his production ability. Clouds is a 27 track instrumental project from Detroit producer Apollo Brown (The Reset, Brown Study, Gas Mask). ![]() An all new edition, complete with alternate cover art, the complete track listing, and cloud white vinyl. ![]()
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