Three Days
Eight Beats One Take
By
Jonie D
Jonie D has featured on the blog before with Kaos Crew and
most recently with his single Journey, back in July 2025. It is good to have
him back with his latest solo project Three Days, Eight Beats, One Take, which
was originally released back in October 2025 and is produced by LSK.
The Derbyshire based emcee also has some Italian roots and
descries this album as follows:
This one is personal and built on the sounds and the
movies we grew up with. Each track reflects where I’ve been, what I’ve seen,
and what I’m still figuring out after more than 30 years in music and 50 years
on our planet. The lyrics are for anyone who’s ever had to stop and take a look
at where they came from and where they’re headed. This project means a lot to
me, and I can’t wait for you to hear it. 381 is known as the Angel Number and
is a combination of the energies and vibrations of 3 (creativity, &
self-expression), 8 (achievement), and 1 (new beginnings).
From those few words, you really get the feeling that this
is going to be an album that hits some deep notes, especially with the very
personal and spiritual aspects.
So, lets get straight into it…
Our journey with Jonie D begins with Call Me and an
Intro that gives a brief look at that Italian heritage. The sound of this one
has a chilled edge to the beat, this is backed by bass and organ notes that
hold that chilled edge, also bringing a sound that has this thoughtful vibe. Plus,
I’m fairly sure the chorus comes from Peter Gabriels Sledghammer. The vibe of
the sound works so well here as the track is very much a dedication to his
children and his love for them. As a father myself, I can feel everyone of
these words and being there for your children, just at the end of the phone,
mirrors my own sentiments when it comes to my own children. This is such a
great way to kick off the album with a hugely personal track that gives the
listener a deep look at what to expect, while also touching you deeply. It also
leaves you wondering where Jonie will take us next with Apollo. This one
has a heavier beat which is backed by horns and keys that give this one a ragga
vibe, getting you moving. This one has a broader feel to it, as it looks at the
world around us now but also sees Jonie taking a look back over live and some
of the key things that have moulded who he is. The reference to Apollo here
shows how he remains focused, precise and controlled in how he approaches life
and what is important to him. Those ideals of focus, precision and control were
all key aspects for the NASA Apollo missions.
Next up is No Strings Attached, which hits with a
laid-back sound made up of bass and a solid drum beat. There is also no
reference to growing up watching the likes of Thunderbirds and other Gerry
Anderson produced TV Series. This one is all about relationships that have no
strings attached. However, living that way can have an impact on the other
person in the relationship who might see things as more that they are. There is
also another aspect to this one, which is about not being a puppet to anyone
and having your own autonomy when living your life. I also liked the addition
of the sample from Smokey Robinson and The Miracles, The Tracks of My Tears,
which adds a nice little, almost light-hearted edge to things. Loose Cannon
comes with a nice soulful edge over the heavy drum beat, getting your head
nodding as you listen. That soulful vibe lends itself nicely here as Jonie
looks at how we change over time, from someone who might have been a bit of a
loose cannon at one time, to someone who has truly found themselves through
education, self-exploration and perhaps a dash of spiritual enlightenment along
the way. This one reminds us of how time and aging, with all that brings with
it, does change the essence of who we are, as does the knowledge and lived
experience we carry along the way.
As we cross the halfway point of the album our focus is
brought to Time, where the sound mixes a solid Hip Hop beat with a sixty’s
guitar riff loop, giving this one a vibe that switches up the adrenaline levels
just a little, encouraging the head nodding to get a little more heavy along
with it. Here Jonie takes us on a ride that looks at the things that we often
find difficult to explain or come to terms with as we navigate the journey of
like. From the funs and games we had in the past to wading through the
pressures of modern day living, there will always be times we wonder how we got
here or how we will through the present and into the future. Roses brings
another upbeat sound with a beat and keys that bring that ragga sound once
more. The light feeling of this one really fuels some good vibes within as you
listen. This is one of those tracks, that for me, might mean something
different to different people. It says a lot about how we move through life
dealing with the struggles from the past and the present, but ultimately, we
are aware that within all this, there is somethings beautiful. Like, holding on
to roses we see the beauty that they bring, but there is also that awareness
that holding onto them brings pain from the thorns that cut our hands. It is
that understanding that there is always pleasure and pain through life, we just
have to choose the weather the storm in order to see the blue skies that will
come.
We move into the final two tracks of the album with Tell
It, which brings a heavy beat with keys that has a sound that keeps that
upbeat sound going, getting you moving, but maybe in a more mellow way. Here
Jonie does exactly what the title suggests, telling it like it is. This is like
sitting with a good friend or perhaps with your children, giving them an
unfiltered and honest view of life. We pick up so much knowledge as we move
through life that there comes a time when we can only speak on where we have
been and what we see that comes forth in a way that has no rose tinted glasses
but, just how we see it from our hearts. Because, as we grow, we understand
that the truth is the only way forward. The album ends with Higher Plane,
The sound mixes a laid-back beat with guitar vibes that give this one a more
thoughtful and reflective edge, a sound that seems to touch and vibrate through
all seven chakras. Now, I might not be on point with this one but, it really
made me think about all those people that touch or lives as we walk life’s
path. There are times when we meet someone who touches us deeply and we feel
that person will always be with us, but they only stay for as long as it takes
for them to teach what we need to know. We might not even realise what the
lesson is, it might make us feel like life has kicked us in the teeth or
deserted us. But there is a level, a higher plane if you will, where we
understand what happened and why, and on a level that stays with us forever.
Now, I do love it when you listen to music that just allows
the words to flow out of you and Three Days, Eight Beats, One Take is
definitely one of those. It is probably because of the deeply personal nature
of the entire album that allows that to happen. Every track here has a vibe
that touches you, from LSK’s emotive production to Jonie D’s wordplay and deeply
personal aspects that are locked into each track. It just allows to listen to
each and every word, every bar, every beat, and then to allow that to draw out
something from within your own lived experiences that allows you to perfectly
associate with what is being said.
There is such a wealth of knowledge and personal experience
here from Jonie D that makes you understand just how much this album must mean
to him. At the same time, it helps you realise how much your own experiences
mean to you.
This album has been crafted in such a way that it is not
just another Hip Hop album. Yes, as you listen to it, you feel that the roots
of the sound are well and truly in that Hip Hop vibe, but there is also more to
it. Jonie’s vocals are clear and spoken in a way that allows to hear
everything, so as to let the emotive elements sink in, regardless of the flow
he uses. LSK’s production, in its sounds, mirrors the emotive nature of what
Jonie is putting across, in such a way as to perfectly open up your mind to
allow the messages to seep into the very core of your being.
There is a spiritual aspect to the album, which is
unavoidable in way, because when you put so much deeply personal information
and feeling into a project like this, the music and words become more than just
a source of enjoyment, the sound and vibration touch you on a level you might
not even realise. But it any track on this album brings up some deeply personal
feelings then, you already understand on a deep level.
Three Days, Eight Beats, One Take is one of those
albums that you might not put high on your list of classic albums but, it is
definitely one you need to listen to and let it sink in and speak to you.
The album is out now on streaming and with some limited
vinyl copies available too, so don’t sleep on it.
My huge thanks to Jonie D for allowing me to bring you my
humble take on this album.
I’ll see you next time.
Steve.
Footnote: There is something I want to add here. Now,
I always forward my reviews for fact checking before I drop them online, and part
of the response I got from Jonie D, is worthy of note here.
There is also some additional information regarding the
album title, which is this; The album was recorded over three days, with eight
beats and using one take. Jonie D had the following to say about the process:
You hit it on the head with the 'the roots of the sound
are well and truly in that Hip Hop vibe, but there is also more’. We kept
the 1 take idea to keep it as honest as possible and when we finished it (in 3
quite emotional days) we felt much of what you’ve written.
When I get feedback like this it really helps me in knowing
my reviewing process is spot on. But more than that, that little line about the
process of recording the album gives a huge insight in what it is like for the
artist, producer, engineer etc in bringing a project like this to the listener.
I hope that gives you a little more of an insight into things
from this side.
Steve.
Get the album on elasticStage Here:
https://elasticstage.com/jonied/releases/3-days-8-beats-1-take-album
Jonie D YouTube Channel:
https://www.youtube.com/@JonieDChannel/videos
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