Where Do I Go
From Here? (The Blue Tint Version)
By
Dizzy Dustin
Produced by
Pandamonium
It was way back in July of 2021 that Pandamonium dropped me
the Dizzy Dustin, Where Do I Go From Here? Album, which he had fully produced
for the infamous Ugly Duckling front man. Now writing that review was some
process but, that’s a story for another day. As 2021 progressed, a full
physical release was planned with some incredible package deals, of which I
purchased a silver package as a posthumous 50th birthday gift from
daughter’s over in Ireland.
However, as time progressed there were some issues around
sample clearance and so the physical release stalled, until this year when Diz
and Panda decided there was only one way forward which was fully remix the
album with fresh new samples which would not cause any more clearance issues,
and thus The Blue Tint version was born.
Now, it’s no mean feet to completely remix an album from
start to finish and I have been lucky enough to be able to follow a lot of that
process, as I’m in touch with Panda a lot to me featuring on his take over show
but, I digress, it has been interesting to see the ups and downs in getting
this new version complete, especially in the last couple of months as it was
fine tuned several times to get to this finished version and one that both Diz
and Panda were completely happy with.
Before I do get into this re-review, I would just like to
give a huge shout to one DJ Shag, good friend of Dizzy Dustin and one half of
their duo, The Grumpy Old Men. DJ Shag was invaluable in the advice he offered
to Pandamonium during this process of remixing the album, in fact Pandamonium
has this to say “DJ Shag gave me some absolutely golden advice during this
process, with regards to the sound (mastering, mixing, editing etc) and
constructing the album to flow like it does (switching up intro’s, making it
sound more like an ‘album’ so to speak) which helped me to not only totally
transform the sonics of the album but, my whole sound in general ever since our
conversation. So, he definitely deserves a special mention with regards to this
version of the album in particular”.
So, with all that in mind, let me take through Where Do I Go
From Here? The Blue Tint Version and see who it has changed in it’s sound
evolution…
Kicking off with I Go By (Intro) this time we find
Pandamonium giving us his thoughts on what it was to produce an album for Dizzy
Dustin, having been an Ugly Duckling fan himself. Then things switch to Diz
dropping his original intro verse with an upbeat jazzy sound of keys and guitar
over the drumbeat, which really lightens the tone and gets your head nodding in
anticipation of what is to come. The anticipation is short lived though as Diz
and Es bring The Hands of Time where the original focus of using your
time wisely still hits but, this time Panda keeps the upbeat sound going with
xylophone notes, guitar vibes and a hint of keys over drums, giving you a sense
that there was a real drive to keep the essence of the original album, while
still creating something brand new. Bricks To Build features Jabbathakut
and shows Diz building on panda’s musical foundations with his words and having
a ball while doing it, and those musical foundations are a funky mix of organ
notes, drums and just a hint of guitar notes, all of which merge to bring a
funky, yet almost light-hearted sound, finished off by Jabba dropping some
razor-sharp cuts to put the icing on the cake as it were.
Lemon and 55th finds Diz taking a trip
down memory lane as he reminisces over those sunny days, good times, and a lot
more to boot. Panda provides a sound that perfectly emulates, in sound, what
Diz puts into words, with a laid-back vibe from flute notes, bass guitar and
chilled drums. Here you can really get that sense of chilling on the beach, as
the sun sets, casting you mind back to the days of way back; as you cast you
mind back, there are times when you think of the challenging times and the set
backs and on Rain Delays, Diz and Masta Ace ask you think of these times
not as set backs but, more as experiences to learn from as you walk forward.
Panda brings a chilled sound of heavy drums with a piano taking the to the
forefront, mixed in with this is a cleverly mixed sound that sounds like a
vinyl run off mixed to make it sound like rain and once more, Jabbathakut
brings his talents to bear with a more chilled vibe to his cuts. The jazzy
sound really soaks into your awareness bringing a change to your thoughts of
future progression. Three Kings see’s Rakka Iriescience and Swiss
Precise join Diz for more boom bap sound from Panda with drums, bass and a
multi-layered sound that has your head nodding as the three emcees come to
entertain with a devastating display of wordplay that perfectly shows why each
deserve their crowns.
The Steebie Weebie Show Interlude keeps the interview
with Diz on the story of the WDIGFH album but, this time Panda brings a sparce
drum beat with a guitar heavy sound giving a slick little funky backdrop to
help you enjoy Diz’s words. That little interlude is followed by something we all
need, Oxygen, and here Diz and Akil The MC (Jurassic 5) point out the
importance of taking time to breath, clear you head and your heart and remember
who you are and where you came from. Panda brings a jazzy vibe from guitars and
keys, over some equally jazzy drums, giving the kinda sound you can’t help but,
groove to because this sound, the beats and rhymes are now your oxygen. After
taking a deep breath, your mind can often drift and sometimes back to those
words your Mama Say; the words that wake you realise that not matter
what you’re going through, better days are ahead and Diz and his daughter
Savannah MacFarland bring those words to life, while Panda brings an equally
emotive beat that is piano heavy with elements of bass and a chilled drumbeat.
Cruel Summer finds Diz, Cade Parenti and Michael MCDZ
Peacock speaking on the days that are so hard when things are weighing heavily
on your mind. The hot days of a cruel summer can make those times so much
harder as you struggle to find peace and balance on your life’s journey. Panda
brings a beat fused with bass, bells, organ notes and sprinkling of sax, over a
laid-back drumbeat; this combines to bring a soulful sound that really touches
you deeply. After that we need some time to chill and bring back the brighter
times and Panda provides the perfect backdrop of bass, keys and another chilled
drum beat for a trip to the Bahamas with Diz and Godforbid. There is plenty of Cubanas
and Pina Coladas under a purple haze, which makes you drift off into
relaxed place where the beat takes you off But, just as you are perfectly
chilled, Diz and Panda are joined by Jabbathakut and it’s back to the streets
with boom bap sound with plenty of bass guitar and razor-sharp cuts galore. The
horn elements make you wanna throw your Hands Up in the air as Diz and
company are here for one thing, to rock the crowd and keep em moving.
Now, back in the day, like in the 80’s, everyone in Hip Hop
wanted to be Ill But, what exactly is the Definition of Ill; well to
explain that Diz is joined by the legendary figure of Blade, from the UK,
fellow Long Beach MC Killa Complex and another legendary figure in form of Ryu
of Styles Of Beyond, over Panda’s solid bass infused boom bap beat. Unleashing
incredible bars, the emcees leave you under no illusions that they have just
defined what it means to be Ill. Now you know what it is to be Ill, it’s time
for Lights, Camera, Action but, this ain’t no motion picture as Diz and
Imani (The Pharcyde) speak on what it is to reflect back over all you have
achieved in the Hip Hop music game. Panda brings a sound that mirrors that vibe
with piano and bass over a funky drumbeat, it brings a sound that, alongside
the lyrics, helps you feel how it is to reflect over all that media attention
with the desire to bring good music to the fans. Next up is the albums title
track Where Do I Go From Here? Panda’s horn infused, jazzy vibe seems to hit
from different angles, never quite letting you settle on which way it is truly
coming from and this is the perfect vibe for Diz to speak on how he is stood at
a metaphorical crossroads, with one road behind him and many roads in front,
there is only one question left to ask but, in asking that question you also
have to remember those who have, and will accompany you as you walk on…
Panda’s chilled piano heavy sound takes out of the album as
Diz to give us the Thank You (Outro), where its time to reflect a little
more on the journey of the album and just to say a few thank you’s to those who
have be instrumental along the way…
Before I sum up The Blue Tint Version, there is one
thing to note, although the album has been remixed, re-edited etc, the track
Cruel Summer is the only track that did not need to be remixed as the sample
clearances were ok for this track But, all the other tracks were remixed by
Pandamonium.
The important thing here is that by remixing the album, it
does not take away any of the impact of the original release. In fact, what
happens here is less of a remix and more of a re-imagining of the project! Diz
and Panda both wanted this project and the physical releases that were
originally planned, to see the light of day and there was this desire, from
both, to make this happen. The only way they could achieve that was the strip
away Panda’s original musical back drops and for him to recreate the sound with
a new set of samples. Just as if someone took the paint away from the original
drawing and you had to start again with a whole new palette of paints, with new
shades.
I think it is a huge credit to Pandamonium as a producer,
that he has dedicated the time to doing that and that what he has been able to
achieve is nothing short of miraculous. Taking that original vision and
creating a whole new look that is as close to the original as possible, is
something else. Yes, you will note that the sound has changed a little on the
tracks but, there is nothing here that takes anything away from the lyrics of
Dizzy Dustin or the guest artists. To be honest, by calling it The Blue Tint
version they have described, perfectly, what Pandamonium has achieved here; he
has taken the original and given it a new tint, a new look and one that still
echoes what I said in my original review, and I quote…
Dizzy Dustin shows that the passing of time has in
no way effected his own unique style. Not just that but, there is a definite
grown man edge to his vocals here and a more personal vibe that runs throughout
the album which adds this definite depth to the whole thing. I have little
doubt that Diz could have easily carried this whole album himself. However,
what he has done is to bring in a host of guest emcees from names you know to
some you don’t and a few legendary figures that all together gives the album an
extra dimension on an international scale and I know there will be plenty that
are hyped for the appearance of Blade, Masta Ace, Imani, Rakaa, Akil and Ryu
just to name a few but, it is also nice to see an appearance by Dizzy’s
daughter Savi.
Pandamonium brings his trademark jazz funk vibe to
this album whilst easily mixing it up and tweaking things to create the perfect
soundscapes for each track be it upbeat, laid-back, boom bap or head nod. The
balance of pace works so well helping this one to flow in a way that perfect
for the listener regardless of the setting you’re in whilst listening.
Pandamonium’s unique style makes him one of the UK’s most exciting producer/DJs
who always produces clean and crisp upbeat music that is always able to lift
your mood.
There will be many of us, listening to this album
and the original, who are at that mid-point of our lives and have reached our
own metaphorical crossroads, and this album will speak volumes and might even
elicit a number of emotions along the way because, as we look back and reflect
on what has gone before and we consider what is yet to come, emotions and music
form a huge part of those memories.
Where Do I Go From Here? The Blue Tint Version is an
absolute pleasure to listen to, from top to bottom. Every beat, every rhyme is
on point and in time. Yes, this is that grown man style Hip Hop but, I do feel
that for those who have not yet heard the original, there is easily enough here
for you to enjoy, regardless of if you are a Hip Hop head through and through
or if you are one of the younger generation, this is one of those sound to span
the decades and for everyone to associate with.
That’s it from me, except to say that I’m looking
forward to the day I hold the physical package in my hand, which will bring
many memories associated with it, it will be a good day…
I cannot thank Diz and Panda enough for their
friendship and for the chance to be the first person to bring a review of this
stunning release to you. So, thank you Dizzy Dustin and Pandamonium, it’s been
an honour, and I Hope all of you that read this enjoy the album as much as I
have.
Physical copies of the album are due early in 2024 so, keep watch for these.
I’ll see you next time,
Steve.
LINKS
The Digital version of the Album will be available from Bandcamp today at:
https://djpandamonium.bandcamp.com/music
Dizzy Dustin Bandcamp:
https://therealdizzydustin.bandcamp.com/
Dizzy Dustin Socials and Website:
https://therealdizzydustin.com/
https://www.instagram.com/dizzy_dustin_ugly_duckling/
https://www.facebook.com/therealdizzydustin
https://www.youtube.com/@DizzyDustindD
Pandamonium Socials:
https://www.facebook.com/djpandamoniumbeats
https://www.instagram.com/pandamoniumuk/
https://www.youtube.com/@PandamoniumHHB
VIDEO
WDIGFH? The Blue Tint Version - Promo Video
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