Pianos of
Grandeur
By
FBS (Oldboy
& Charles Edison)
Released on February of this year, Pianos of Grandeur is an
EP from FBS, Fantastic Bar Stewards, otherwise know as the duo of Oldboy (Vocals) and Charles Edison
(Production). You might guess from the title that this one has a vibe that is
based around the piano, and you’d be right but, don’t think for one minute that
it means this one is not on that Hip Hop tip, because it most certainly is.
As we take our place and watch as pianist takes his place at
his instrument of choice, we are first treated to an Introspective which
features Charles Edison and is introduced by a sample from First Blood Pt2.
Oldboy and Charles take us on a deep into their thoughts, feelings and mental
state over a laid-back beat that is unmistakably head nod with more than a
sprinkling of Jabbas stately cuts. The head nod vibe continues as Oldboy opens
his mind to us and explains just Who Is Oldboy, what makes him tick and
how he incorporates that into his rap style.
No Edits drops on a more jazzy vibe with a sprinkling
of polished cuts as Oldboy is joined by Charles Edison and Micall Parkinson who
treat us to a track that keeps ya moving while all the while letting you know
its all about life, deep lyrical content and delivering everything with no
edits. We hold on to that jazz vibe for the Stars Don’t Shine, a
comparison of the new to the old in the rap game. The stars might shine in the
night sky but, that don’t mean those new to the mic shine the same way as they
once did…
Taking it back to head nod all the way with more of those
dope cuts, Charles Edison pops up again on this one as he and Oldboy detail
exactly what its all about in the game. You have to step up, hold your own and
make a Clean Kill if your gonna survive. There is no let up to beat
pounding and keys speaking as the listener, the supporters get a track
dedicated them, yeah believe it This Ones For You ya feel, enjoy. To
round off the EP Scotland’s own One OZ joins Oldboy for a track that you might
wanna listen to at a Quarter Past Midnight because the vibe of this one both
musically and verbally has the potential to put you into altered states, if you
listen at the right time, with pounding drums, etheric keys and sublime cuts
and UFOs.
Creating the piano vibe to run throughout this one really
puts you in mind of sitting in some dark and smoky speakeasy. You sit quietly
in the corner listening to the music and the threads of other people’s
conversations that all begin to merge into one the more you try to focus. The
subjects as diverse as real life, the internal workings of the mind,
inspirations and influences, to the more esoteric, it all floats through your
conscious awareness as the various piano moods hold your attention allowing
your mind to drift but, the heavy drums and polished cuts keep you anchored to
reality but, which one…
There are three main elements here Oldboy, with his slick
wordplay, Charles Edison, with solid production, and Jabbathakut, who provides
the kinda cuts that hit the nail on the head. When you add a couple of
top-notch features from two Emcees who are at the top of their game in Micall
Parkunsun and One OZ and Pianos Of Grandeur a rock solid Hip Hop sound that
will be easy enough to kick back to whilst having just enough edge you can bang
it on in car too.
I have to say that I really enjoyed this one. I think that
moulding the whole project around the piano as the thing that creates the mood
worked so well, it was what drew me to write this review as it was not originally
on my list but, I had to once I listened and got into it.
So, my advice is simply to go listen or, more over, buy it
and let yourself get immersed in the sound as you won’t regret it.
Pianos Of Grandeur by FBS is out now and features artwork
form lkjdrawsdotcom.
Enjoy, I’m outta here.
Steve
LINKS
Get your copy of the EP on Bandcamp Here:
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