4/5
3 Sketches
Someone tell LL Cool J that the great musical OutKast that is Andre 3000 has traded in his flute. Although, the Cool James who Ladies Love may not like this one (see LeBron James and Maverick Carter's Uninterrupted episode of 'The Shop' for more information). We can't get enough of it, though. Following his Grammy-nominated Best Alternative AND Album Of The Year (the offbeat jazz piece 'New Blue Sun'), his tour (which we were lucky enough to catch in Tokyo's Blue Note in November) and the 'Moving Day' EP, 3 Stacks has another extended play for us this New Music Friday. And it's big, boy!
For all the marvellous and outrages outfits that hit the Met Gala this week, Andre Benjamin definitely pulled off the best one. Outside of the 'Metropolis' that is Janelle Monáe, with a little 'Clockwork Orange', we hope those two standing together, side-by-side are dreaming up a classic collaboration. Even ex Erykah Badu had to give it up for 'Dre lugging around the grandest of pianos strapped to his back. And that's not all the talented wordsmith, who hasn't dropped a bar in years, had in his back pocket. He also revealed a surprise EP by the name of '7 Piano Sketches' for us. And I bet you can guess, there's no rapping. The only time you hear him speak beyond the keys he plays is when he introduces the tracks he plays, sometimes in duet or distortion. After 'Blue Sun's classic chapter titles ('The Slang Word P(*)ssy Rolls Off the Tongue with Far Better Ease Than the Proper Word Vagina .Do You Agree? (you already know it)), '7 Sketches' in album artwork, beautiful blue scrawls gives us more of the same ('when you’re a ant and you wake up in an awesome mood, about to drive your son to school, only to discover that you left the lights on in the car last night so your battery is drained'). Don't you just hate that?
Open and pure, from 'bluffing in the snow', to the 'i spend all day waiting for the night' haunting highlight, this album shows that the flutes were no bluff, Andre 3000 really is a revolutionary in esteemed company. Sure, this isn't 'Sketches Of Spain', but he isn't as miles away from Davis as you think. As a matter of fact, pair this with last months 'Still Blooming' blossom of accented actor Jeff Goldblum and The Mildrid Snitzer Orchestra, and we just may have a new jazz revolution on our hands. These 'blueberry mansions' built off the grounds of 'My Blueberry Nights' star Norah Jones after she told Andre, baby, 'Take Off Your Cool', following 'The Love Below' of the OutKast dual album pairing off. Me sipping on Norah's 'Day Breaks' cocktail at the Blue Note whilst Stacks freestyled on the flute. Whether he's messing around on 'hotel lobby pianos', or bringing the joy like Rosario Dawson's 'She Lives In My Lap' cackles on some 'off rhythm laughter', this is another classic e-mailed directly to you. Spontaneous improvisations inspired from everyone from Thelonious Monk, to Stephen Sondheim, the collection of iPhone recorded songs was originally meant to be called 'The Best Worst Rap Album In History', but he'll get to that LL. Want to know more? 'And then one day you'll...' TIM DAVID HARVEY.
Playlist Picks: 'blueberry mansions', 'off rhythm laughter', 'i spend all day waiting for the night'.
Play This: Andre 3000 - 'New Blue Sun'
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