Since bursting onto the burgeoning nu-R&B scene with 2012’s “Kaleidoscope Dream” and its ubiquitous hit “Adorn,” Miguel has established himself as the top honey-rap singer in the game.
Honey Rap: a sub-genre combining hip-hop, R&B and soul, usually focused lyrically on illicit complementation of the female body and delivered in a sexy, nonaggressive manner (see Mario – “Let Me Love You.” I made up that definition, because apparently honey rap isn’t an accepted term. My friends and I have been using it for years…what gives, Internet? COINED.
A hallmark of Miguel’s songs is lush production: layer upon layer of synth pads, reverb’d beats, duplicated vocal tracks. It works, but can get old. Which is why Kastle’s treatment of “…All” is so refreshing. The American producer’s work makes expert use of space, never oversoaking a track and always mastered to make every click and snap crisp and audible.
This isn’t one of Kastle’s dance tracks, per se. Rather, it begs to gush from your headphones and offer an escape. It’s a pick-me-up when you need moment of calm.
I can’t lie, I’ve had this tape since mid December. I did have an extremely busy end of the year and going back to NYC for two weeks didn’t exactly help my productivity but that really has nothing to do with it. In fact this tape has been complete since Steph first sent it over. HP sent us one of their new Split X2 laptops, you know the one Clams Casino has been using for those beat making videos you’ve been seeing all over the net. Anyways, I didn’t want to take my army of technology with me on this trip so I put Ableton on the X2, got inspired, took it on my flight and did all the mix on it while on my way to New York. Gotta love the space age.
The truth is I have this weird thing with LMDM’s where I want to hold on to it for myself for as long as possible. I realize EMPT is this whole thing now and people have certain expectations that need to be met but I like to do what I feel and being the only one with LMDM for a little extra longer makes me feel good, sue me. Seriously though, I know it’s a problem, I promise to be better about it this year. Anyhow, Steph usually speaks through her selections but this time she graced us with some beautiful words and I won’t go on with my ramblings and distract much longer. We took a little extra time to mix and blend the tracks while keeping Stephs original track order in tack so I think you’ll guys like how this one flows. To make up for my hoarding and to step it up for 2014 I’ll be mixing all LMDM’s like this from no on, enjoy.
Putting this lmdm is always particularly special – for me, each year it’s a way to go through the endless lists of my favorite songs which in a way is to go through moment after moment after moment that made up my year – to sum up “a best of” – this took me exactly twenty minutes, at a quarter to midnight, BC I knew exactly what needed to be on this – so this is my version of a best of – each song is a piece of my year and perhaps of yours as well…each track is much more than that – it’s a distinct memory you repeat in your head bringing you back to that individual experience you associate it with. For me there’s a strong mix of emotion attached to each one and a definitive event, person, or both. Here’s to a full year- of ups and downs, highs and lows, falls and beautiful mistakes but with each close of a year – comes a new opportunity – of renewal and most importantly, an open path – waiting to be taken…
It’s what y’all been waitin’ for ain’t it, What people paid paper for damnit!” – Kanye West (Barry Bonds)
We know you all have a craving, we sensed it because so do we. This months Juin installment of LMDM couldn’t have come at a more perfect time. Summer is finally here, our senses are on overload and what could be more satisfying to alleviate your crave then this.
If you’re an addict of LMDM, then you already know that each installment is going to be flawless in some way. I can’t say one is better then the next because each one really does satisfy a distinct craving,energy, and each one is to be remembered for how it satisfied us. Steph is the ultimate psychic to all of our musical taste buds.
Buddhists would say not to hold on to your cravings, let them go, and sometimes I could agree but I think healthy cravings are a part of life as long as your aren’t destroying your body and your spirit. If whatever you are doing makes you happy then I say why not, because no mind is alike.
“My happiness is not the means to any end. It is the end. It is its own goal. It is its own purpose.” -Ayn Rand
The way each track compliments the next is unbelievable, it pretty much helps you to visual each day in its progression as it should be for the rest of the Summer; wake up, call in sick to work, grab a beer out of the fridge for breakfast, go to the beach, get a little tipsy, take a little cat nap before the night begins, maybe a little sex if your lucky, wash away the day, start all over, dance like you don’t give a F*&k, let the night take over your mind and body…Repeat tomorrow!
We can’t thank Steph enough for making sure we all didn’t go through withdrawal, it was getting close but it looks like we made it! Crave no more you sexy animals, press play and enjoy this sweet sweet Summer magic!
