Sometimes your friends get you on to some good stuff, and sometimes they do it without even knowing it. One good way to check out new music is last.fm. This website not only keeps track of all the MP3s you play on your computer or iPod, it also uses that information to tip you on similar music you might like.
But hey, you’re probably here for some dope free beats, right? So I’ll leave the discovery of last.fm up to you (for instance, check my profile) and present to you something I discovered while lurking a friend’s profile… Elaquent!
This Canadian native had me pinned down from the 1st bar of drums I heard. Yes, it’s Dilla or Flying Lotus, it stutters, it bounces, and yes there are a lot of people out there making these kind of tracks. But d-a-m-n this is definitely something you can set apart. Compared to most stuff Elaquent’s overall sound is really thick and warm, the beats are present but not too in-your-face and the man has an impeccable taste for breakdowns and side effects.
E’s sample usage is like a huge collage that just fits awefully well on your wall, and after you’ve hung it there you’ll spend the next 3 months investigating every little frame he put in there. Bit by bit your appreciation will grow and when you’re at the end… you’ll just get back to the first frame and go over it all again. And again. And again. The electronic sweeps and basslines are smoothly woven into the samples and the usually too cheesy usage of well know acapella lines from your favourite MC’s are not cheesy at all.
Next to his own instrumental work Elaquent has also done 2 full albums with MC’s: “Self I Am” with Bhon, and “Godspeed” with Introspect. On both albums the beats are a bit toned down to make more room for the vocals to come through clearly, while they still retain their warm and soulful sound. It’s also apparent that our Canadian man is on a concious edge because the lyrics on the albums are deep and thoughtful.
On “Self I Am” the compositions are more down-to-earth hiphop, resulting in shuffles rather than stutters and a comparison with 9th Wonder springs to mind on some tracks. Electronics are strictly kept for basslines and the samples are used in a recognizable traditional way. If you’re more a fan of hiphop than instrumentalism, this album’s for you.
Featurings on this album include Ashez The Poet, Rice The Sound Transmitter, One, Solar C and Shuanise.
A return to extravagant beats is displayed on “Godspeed”. Where Bhon focused more on content lyrical-wise, Introspect is putting some extra emphasis on flow which works out well with all the bumping and thumping going down. The overall feel is easy going bliss and there are some funny (but serious) skits to support that feeling.
Featurings on this album include Lep, Mr Blue, Es, GQstylez, Docta Def and RW.
I hope this little review gets you as amped as I am now. These guys are well on their way but some extra support never helps, so visit their profile and download the music below:
| Elaquent – In Colour (Dirty Loops) | instrumental |
| Elaquent – In Colour vol. 2 (Dirtier Loops) | instrumental |
| Elaquent – Joints for the iPod | remixes |
| Bhon & Elaquent – Self I Am | full album |
| Elaquent & Introspect – Godspeed | full album |
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