Warning: Use of undefined constant interviews - assumed 'interviews' (this will throw an Error in a future version of PHP) in /home/c8qi844vijfu/public_html/news/wp-content/themes/blankslate-child/entry-content.php on line 18
Warning: Use of undefined constant gallery - assumed 'gallery' (this will throw an Error in a future version of PHP) in /home/c8qi844vijfu/public_html/news/wp-content/themes/blankslate-child/entry-content.php on line 22
Tall Black Guy has finally taken time off from his immensely popular remixing duties to serve up a debut album that is as worthy as the source for which it pays homage.
“8 Miles to Moenart” is as much a debut album for the much-respected Tall Black Guy, as it is a fine crafted tribute to musical heritage of the motor city – Detroit. The Cosby Show inspired intro demonstrates some of Tall Black Guys finer chopping skills. Slicing comfortably through some Cosby Show dialogue (with a little slip of early Adam Sandler comedy chopped in).
The Motown native jumps straight into it with ‘The Dark Streets’, which sounds like a worthy head nod to Dilla. ‘The Motor Is Running’ gives you the sensation of a Timbaland inspired track – with enough layers to keep you tuned into the soulful unfolding of the track.
The albums sound is solid display of Tall Black Guys unique output as it gives you a real sense of what he, as a producer, sounds like. Although displayed as an instrumental album – this is no beat tape! This is structured music that is meant to suppress any need for a vocal presence. The album even takes some interlude space to bring up today’s music scene and the changing sounds from the home of Motown.
For mostly an instrumental album you do get a very tight and concise body of work, and a broad sense of Tall Black Guys production capabilities. This is evident from the subtle and unique differences in tracks like ‘From Home To Work, And Back…’ through to ‘Rain Into The Nite Outro’ – which serves like a reprise to the former– but you’re inside the song – you know you’re immersed in a totally different track.
Tall Black Guy even takes a swerve into jazz with the bonus track ‘Floating’. There’s no need to label this track a bonus as it serves up just as great a purpose as each of the other eight tracks on the album. The two only features are Ozay Moore ‘Mon Amie De’Troit’ & Diggs Duke ‘There’s No More Soul’. Complimenting their tracks perfectly while never taking the emphasis away from being “A Tall Black Guy Song”.
Although a short piece of work (run time of 42 minutes), “8 Miles To Moenart” is a classic example of quality over quantity. While similar at times to the sounds of Dwele or even Zo! – Tall Black Guy remains true to what people know and love of his OWN style and branding, and manages to delivers a sincerely quality debut. A really enjoyable body of work – I would recommend adding it to your collection.
Review by DJ Trey
Be sure to check out some of Tall Black Guys other work including his excellent remixes and production for other artists:
This Could Be The Night (Tall Black Guy Remix) – Zo!
Talk Together – Tall Black Guy Vs Al Green