Featuring full hip hop songs, beatbox vignettes, remixes and one wild ride of an instrumental track, “First Impression” is emcee/producer/vocal percussionist SEE MORE PERSPECTIVE’s formal re-introduction to the Twin Cities musical landscape.
A St. Paul native, SEE MORE PERSPECTIVE returned to the Twin Cities in 2007 after a seven-year stint in Chicago. Mixing the lyrical density and attention to detail the Chi-town underground is famous for with the free-flowing boom-bap of the burgeoning Twin Cities scene, See More’s music is a product of both communities while sounding little like neither of them. Instead, the resulting hybrid sound is reminiscent of the late ‘90s West Coast indie scene, where acts like Blackalicious, Lyrics Born, Souls of Mischief and many more flourished.
Kicking off with the aptly-named title track, a lighthearted and effortlessly cool meditation on connection and community, the EP never loses speed. “What’s Up” is a Friday night houseparty, “Anchor’s Away” the late-night philosophical debate that follows. And where many rapper/producer’s instrumental tracks are self-indulgent throwaway songs, See More’s “Speak to You” is perhaps the highlight of this EP. An undulating mass of funk and soul grooves, this five-and-a-half minute journey into hip hop’s unconscious is dynamic, impressive and—most importantly—fun to listen to.
And more than anything that’s what SEE MORE PERSPECTIVE’s music is: refreshingly fun. Following in the Tru Ruts tradition, it’s free of pretension without being free of meaning; it’s intelligent hip hop you can dance to. If “First Impression” is any indication, the forthcoming re-release of See More’s Chicago underground classic “Architextual Design” should be a welcome breath of fresh air for indie hip hop fans nationwide.
'First Impression' is released by indie label, Tru Ruts/Speakeasy Records. See
www.truruts.com for more information. To request interviews or additional images, please contact
info@truruts.com or 612-288-9491.
released June 30, 2009
FIRST IMPRESSION
SEE MORE PERSPECTIVE
1. First Impression
written and performed by SEE MORE PERSPECTIVE
beat produced by Epik1 (of Underpaid Productions)
scratches by itchie fingers
(A. Rangel, J. Dawson, E. Oropeza)
2. What's Up
beat produced by King (of Chicago)
(A. Rangel, M. McHenry)
3. Anchor's Away
written + performed by SEE MORE PERSPECTIVE
live tracks straight through, no looping or sampling
(A. Rangel)
4. Speak To You
produced, arranged and mixed by SEE MORE PERSPECTIVE
(A. Rangel)
5. Live (Anchor's Away part 2) (featuring Ankh One)
written + performed by SEE MORE PERSPECTIVE (music) and Ankh One (text)
live tracks straight through, no looping or sampling
(A. Rangel, E. Bailey)
6. Anchor's Away remix
written + performed by SEE MORE PERSPECTIVE + Ankh One
live tracks straight through, no looping or sampling
produced, arranged and mixed by SEE MORE PERSPECTIVE
(A. Rangel, E. Bailey)
Executive Produced by e.g. bailey + Sha Cage. Art Direction: e.g. bailey + Adam Gabriel Rangel. Design: Adam Gabriel Rangel. Photos by JOFOTO.
All tracks recorded, engineered and mixed by SEE MORE PERSPECTIVE at Luv 'N' Dedication Studio, Mpls, MN. Mastered by HipGnosis. Tattoo by Kurt Melancon at Leviticus, Mpls.
Brought to you by Tru Ruts Endeavors: Harvesting the Tree of Life.
www.truruts.com •
info@truruts.com • 612-288-9491 •
myspace.com/truruts •
myspace.com/seemoremusic •
myspace.com/itch13 •
myspace.com/underpaidproductions •
myspace.com/chicagoking •
myspace.com/egbailey
Available on iTunes, Napster, Amazon + other download sites.
All Songs Copyright © 2009 Tru Ruts Endeavors, Inc. All songs published by Verbal Reparations Music (ASCAP). All Rights Reserved. Used by Permission. International Copyright Secured. Unauthorized duplication is a violation of applicable laws. Tru Ruts Endeavors, 1416 Madison Street NE #1, Minneapolis, MN 55413.
