Jazz Liberatorz- Clin D'oeil

By: R.M. London

Released: ((1.15.2008))

Since the days of Gil Scott-Heron dancing around jazz laced rhythms with powerful spoken word poetry, legendary duo Gangstarr releasing their debut single "Words I Manifest" in 1988 while sampling saxaphonist Charlie Parker, and Stetsasonic sampling Lonnie Liston Smith with their 1989 hit "Talkin' All That Jazz"-- Jazz Rap has made its way around the world providing a golden age of addicting music, and years of dual genre splicing that has spawned into some of the most beautiful hip hop music ever created.

Now, continuing the path laid before them by jazz-hop pioneers such as: Gangstarr, Stetsasonic, and the Native Tongue Posse, are artists like Madlib, The Roots, and most recently a French trio that call themselves the Jazz Liberatorz (DJ Damage, Dusty and Madhi). After joining forces in 1999 the Meaux, France bred producers have come together for their debut album, "Clin D'oeil," a crisp, smooth, and beautiful journey through the golden age of hip hop meshing the glowing sounds of 70's influenced jazz fusion records with refined live instrumentation, all while bringing together 'la creme de la creme' of the independent hip hop community. With big name indie staples such as-- J-Live, Fatlip, Buckshot, Sadat X, and Asheru-- melted together with the whimsical sounds of the Liberatorz' creamy samples and live instruments, Jazz laced hip hop is back and better than ever and is ready for our new students, who might have missed the "golden age," to engulf the distilled history of perhaps the best "sub-genre" hip hop has to offer.

Beginning the album with the seven minute title track "Clin D'oeil" the Jazz Liberatorz tease your ears with gliding keys and upbeat claps, while sporadically morphing their jam sessions into frames of early 90's nostalgia, covering songs like Tribe Called Quest's "Electric Relaxation" and Pete Rock and CL Smooth's "T.R.O.Y." The warm opener is followed by Tre Hardson mouthing off tales of jazz's influence on hip hop, paying homage to the pioneers, influences, and wraps up the main purpose of this 15 track gem.

Hand in hand with the intro track the first portion of the record spirals and drifts like dreams around the melodic mumbles of Fatlip, Tre Hardson, and Omni on "Ease My Mind," D.C.'s own Asheru on "I Am Hip Hop," and J. Sands on "When the Clock Ticks." While all these songs are power packed with various streams of glissading beauty they also share another common factor-- some of the most eargasmic piano samples and live keys ever embedded on wax. If you haven't totally tossed your aura into this record by now-- it's hopeless. At this point and on the Liberatorz and company only get better.

As the album carries on more instruments sneak their way in and shock your earlobes; Flutes, Saxaphone, lush keys, and vocal sex pour through the headphones, and at times seem to spill endorphins as they surf the sound waves. With a voice that was born to bless a Jazz Lib track, Tableek (Maspyke) shines on his track "Indonesia," one of the dopest femcees ever to rock a mic, Apani B Fly, bounces and breaks off a nice addition with "The Process," and Crown City Rocker's own Raashan Ahmad ignites the record with perhaps the best track on the entire disc with "Cool Down." Despite the speed bumps provided by Sadat X and the Soul Clan, this record hardly ever misses a step and the Jazz Liberatorz prove that with their sonic foundations alone they can truly liberate multiple artists from this genre.

In 15 songs the Jazz Liberatorz have uplifted sacred "Golden Age" music by their organic roots and exposed its underbelly to the new generation of hip hoppers, all while adding their own twist. For the lovers of early 90's production, Jazz, and organic and soulful hip hop-- this is 2008's can't miss record of the year thus far.

Favorite Tracks: When the Clock Ticks, Indonesia, Cool Down,
What to do (Buy/Try/Frisbee): A Must Buy
Digits: 8.5 // 10