Trippin (magromusic)
Magro
Released May 2021
German Jazz Prize National Debut Album 2022
YouTube:
https://music.youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_nss-IqLNVYnKxQaefinhV2UWXvLpXGqCg
Spotify:
https://open.spotify.com/album/3oNOlHAJQnZ1am63v8frE6?si=68n9nMRJTt6tLk6lyfiJUg
About:
After working with numerous artists over the years as a
drummer and producer (including Kenny Wesley, J Lamotta and Stimulus), he now
releases his first album under his own name.
On the album, Magro features some of his favorite musicians and singers –
including Jazz legend Kurt Rosenwinkel, rising Alternative RnB singer Leona
Berlin and US rapper TwizzMatic.
Magro about his music: “I want to bridge the gap between catchy produced
music and the deep-rooted elements of Jazz.“
In doing so, he is influenced by the creative complexity of the international
Berlin music scene, in which he has been active for years.
1. Trippin (feat. TwizzMatic, Kurt Rosenwinkel)
“Trippin” is the first single and also the title track of the album. The song features US-rapper TwizzMatic and Jazz legend Kurt Rosenwinkel. TwizzMatic raps critically about the ambiguity and naive immaturity of today’s society. Kurt Rosenwinkel then plays an apocalyptic guitar solo and makes the song fade out in a wide wave. I love it when an arc of tension is stretched out over an entire song.
2. Song 4 Def
“Song 4 Def” is inspired by the song “Quiet Dog” by Mos Def. When I first heard the song I couldn’t get the beat out of my head and had to write my own song in that same feel right away. It starts with a Hip Hop lo-fi beat that develops into an epic explosion in the second half of the song.
3. Black On Black (feat. XHO)
During the months of the Black Lives Matter protests, I was working with “XHO” as a drummer. I asked her if she wanted to be on my album and sent her the instrumental. Without further ado, we recorded her part in her clothing store. The theme was so present at the time that it obviously couldn’t be about anything else.
4. Conscious 1
Conscious 1 is the first of three instrumental interludes. To me the soundscapes express something mystical that is hard to put into words.
5. Running (feat. Leona Berlin)
“Running” is the second single and features Alternative Soul singer Leona Berlin. With Leona I have probably worked more than with anyone else. So it was clear that she would be on the album. The song is about our restlessness as humans. We always want to improve and change things instead of just accepting the moment and the situation to be at peace.
6. Conscious 2
7. Crisis (feat. Sean Haefeli, Martin Lüdicke)
I wrote this song during the first lockdown. At that time I was busy finishing the album. I sent the track to Martin Lüdicke and Sean Haefeli and asked them if they could record something independently. I found it exciting to get the results back without having given any directions beforehand.
8. Conscious 3
9. Magic Flow
“Magic Flow” is a musical flow that develops into different parts. The track starts with a driving drum beat, intensifying and opening up more and more until it finally breaks open, leading to a heavy Hip Hop beat. The long wave and the slowly creeping new sounds are meant to pull the listener into the track’s own world.
10. Silence (feat. Ronja)
“Silence” is a tribute to silence, which is often forgotten in the hustle of our everyday lives. The song is the third single and features Berlin-based singer/songwriter Ronja. The unobtrusive and powerful development of the song has a special character. I like the very slow tempo, the minimalistic development and Ronja’s calm performance.
Track Listing:
1. Trippin (feat. TwizzMatic, Kurt Rosenwinkel) 03:34
2. Song 4 Def 03:38
3. Black On Black (feat. XHO) 03:18
4. Conscious 1 02:14
5. Running (feat. Leona Berlin) 05:09
6. Conscious 2 02:30
7. Crisis (feat. Sean Haefeli & Martin Lüdicke) 03:46
8. Conscious 3 01:58
9. Magic Flow 03:49
10. Silence (feat. Ronja) 05:49
Personnel:
Leona Berlin
TwizzMatic
Kurt Rosenwinkel
XHO
Sean Haefeli
Martin Luedicke
Ronja
Tomek Soltys
Mixed by Magro
Mastered by Magro and Colin Girod at Mastertape Recording Studios
Artwork by Tina Ovalle
Pictures by Daniel Wetzel
Review:
The release of ‘Trippin’ – announced earlier this year – would have come as exciting news for listeners having been hooked on Magro’s music since his releases dating back to 2019. Over the course of several singles, Magro introduced his distinctive style – an inspired fusion of jazz, hip-hop and neo-soul – as an extraordinary voice amidst a continually thriving scene.
A fervent performer and collaborator to many of Germany’s rising and established stars, the spirit of collaboration has always permeated through Magro’s releases whether they be through his work with vocalists, rappers or fellow musicians. Parking commentary on ‘Trippin’ for a moment, the aforementioned early singles which paired Magro’s boundless talents with those of US rapper Stimulus (’15 Minutes’) and R&B artists Kileza (‘Superskater’) and Kenny Wesley (‘Jupiter’) acted as shining examples of Magro’s ability to connect musically with artists and tapping into what resonates with them or knowing how to plunge them in new and exciting sonic scenarios. His work with vocalist Leona Berlin also warrants special mention, not only for their collaboration on the awesome ‘Floating Freely’ single (2019) but also for his extensive contributions to Berlin’s debut full-length release and subsequent singles leading up to the upcoming sophomore album.
Conversely, the release of ‘Beat Tape’ from earlier this year gave the opportunity for the drummer and producer to showcase his music within a more solitary, back-to-basics setting. Taking his inspiration from heroes including Herbie Hancock, Dilla, Robert Glasper and Chris Dave, the ten-track release once again demonstrates the versatility within Magro’s music and his continual evolution towards new styles and ideas.
Which brings us to the release of ‘Trippin’.
While still boasting that indelible vision when it comes to composition, ‘Trippin’ confidently takes those elements to the next level with a bolder and, at times, broader landscape. Looking at the album’s title track as an example – featuring US rapper TwizzMatic and jazz guitarist Kurt Rosenwinkel, musically we’re in new territory with darker and more “trippy” production. It’s an incredibly bold track to open the album with and an apt contrast to the album’s closing number, ‘Silence’, featuring Ronja. Imagined as a “tribute to silence”, the eclectic future soul number once again revels in these new textures perhaps not normally associated with Magro’s music – an expectation I imagine the musician loves subverting.
With tracks flitting between instrumental hip-hop-inspired jazz numbers and further great collaborative pairings – the Leona Berlin assisted ‘Running’ in particular serving as the album’s high point – the album marks another glorious entry amidst Magro’s burgeoning catalogue. His past releases introduced him as an awesome talent but ‘Trippin’ now confirms his masterful and enduring brilliance.
Imran Mirza (Blue in Green)
