Ill Harmonics
On Take Two, ill harmonics’ second release on Uprok Records, the prescription for ailing listeners is truthful lyrics over a buffet of head-nodding, classic hip-hop grooves.
This time around, the tag-team of Blake Knight and Playdough stepped up their production and emceeing even more to reach higher standards of quality. A big part of that process was continuing to be real with who they are. “Good hip-hop to me is honesty,” Playdough says. “Not doing something because it's popular or successful, but because it represents who you are.”
Blake explains that the topics on Take Two range from “faith, love of music, rocking shows and traveling the country to enjoying life and self-reflection.”
The opener Call Me In The Morning is a funny, tongue-in-cheek track exploring the medical theme of the album over a jovial blues rift. There is a video for the song included on the CD and in rotation on video shows across the nation. In Mr. Chris T. Ian, a moving piano sample is the backdrop for the crew to explore the ups, downs, triumphs and sometimes hypocrisy that come with trying to live your life as an upstanding Christian
On Backside of the Sun, the topic is the group’s determination to go as far as they can with their music. “It addresses us going after new horizons and going where no man has gone before- sort of like Star Trek.” Knight says.
Guaranteed dance floor bangers include What We Do, Cats Like These, The Crowd is Standing and San Jose. These songs contain some of the most addictive guitar loops heard recently in hip-hop- an instrument present throughout Take Two.
“I think that the guitar is so versatile, you can have an album with a guitar sample on every song and each one could be a different vibe,” Playdough explains. “You can do so many things with a guitar and express so many different vibes and emotions with them as well”
Destiny featuring Marcos of P.O.D., Gypsy Kind, Bowtie Jerks and Hi-Fidelity featuring Freddie Bruno are other incredible tracks that impress with their creative themes and serene soundscapes.
An Octave Above the Original, ill harmonics’ debut album included the hit songs Will I, Gringos and Nomadic Caravans. The group agrees Take Two shows the progress they’ve made in the two years since that release.
“It is light years beyond our first album,” Knight says. “We have really developed our sound.”
“This album is much more accurate in reflecting who we are and where we're at,” Playdough adds. “It’s better musically, spiritually, artistically - everything.” |
