Since I went solo back in 2002, I’ve (MooN ShynE) been structuring my albums similarly. I personally like consistency when it comes to art, as it gives everything a rhyme and reason. I guess it’s the logical yang to my creative yin.
On each of my two previously recorded albums, there were similarities between parallel tracks. For example, track 15 on each are the strongest (in terms of power lyricism). “I OWN YOU” on “Phase 1 – Neolyrical,” and “Same” on “Phase 2 – Lyrics to an Identity” had the hardest delivery and the most physically strong lines. This follows suit on the upcoming “Phase 3 – L.Y.R.I.C.A.L. Without Fear,” with the song “Devastator” (now listenable on My Facebook Page.. be a fan!)
On track 9, is the crew track. On Phase 1 it was “We Roll” featuring Flight (who we may finally get back in touch with! more on that later) and Harmony Speaks (formerly tRe’ sTeeLo), and on Phase 2 it was “Go Crazy” featuring Boy Gnyus, Less and Harmony Speaks.
This brings us to “The Bomb Squad.” “We Roll” had three minds together, and “Go Crazy” had four. “The Bomb Squad” was at one point supposed to be “Style Klepto,” which had Destiny Soprano, Brian Bullion and our cousins from GNP. It was difficult to get everyone together and record something cohesively because we were scattered all over the place. Klepto was going to be one of the premier songs to be used for Bergenfield ’07, but that fell through.
Eventually, that collab fell through the cracks (though now I’m thinking of reviving it because TaKeWuN did record his verse and I’m not one to waste verses, maybe as a B-Side for a single?). I made the beat for the “Bomb Squad,” and the collaboration changed to GNP, Brian Bullion, K-Maculate. This hit a snag with Boy Gnyus withdrew from rapping and concentrated on R&B production, and Vincent (f.k.a. Jvee) and I couldn’t get away from scheduling conflicts. (Vincent would later collab with Black and Blue Ink. [MooN ShynE and K-Maculate] on Spear for The Black and Blue Ink. EP, and Boy Gnyus would supply the beat and vocals for the MsP GNP OMG remix of Spear [also listenable on My Facebook Page) which will be track 4 for Phase 3]).
At this point, the collab changes to an all MsP affair. MsP at the time this song will be completed will have 10 active members. Six members so far have supplied their verses, five of which are final recordings (Cocoa, K-Maculate, Less, FoRcE oNe and Brian Bullion; Destiny Soprano needs to re-record). Each have similarities in terms of concepts with their own individualities. Originally, when we first started the project, we had a unified idea. Now, we have a singular concept with different ideas. All of the members who recorded (aside from Brian Bullion and FoRcE oNe since they are siblings who live in the same house) did so separately, which if anything, has proven to me that when you do a collaboration with a specific unified idea, it is best off to do it all together with everyone in the same room rather than at separate times with different people at a time unless you are specifically spearheading the whole thing with everyone just following your orders.
So here’s the challenge. I’m going to be unifying 9 different spins on a particular idea and make them all completely unified, and I’m slowly getting to that eventual “Eureka!” as more pieces come in.
This may sound like a bunch of negatives, but it really isn’t. Actually, I embrace the challenge.
I firmly believe that the role of a producer is how well he or she can take different ideas and bring them together in the best way possible without sacrificing the vision of the overall project.
For this particular project, it has taken a unique character.
Imagine having an idea for a plot for a movie with no script as of yet. Every plot or movie has characters in it. Quentin Tarantino (my favorite director) has a back story on every character, sometimes enough for the writer to make a prequel for each character based on their back stories alone….
Eureka. =]
-mnshyn
Phase 3 Nearing Completion… Future Plans
Monday, January 18th, 2010With “Bomb Squad” in its release candidate phase (I recorded my part yesterday), and “Intro III” recorded (done yesterday as well), this only leaves “My Thoughts Exactly III,” “Thank You III,” and “Outro III” left to record. These last three would only take me an hour all together to record as none of them are songs. After that point, the album goes directly into Tunecore and FINALLY… on its way to iTunes.. hopefully by March 1st. =]
Now comes the planning for the future. I’m looking to promote this one more than I have promoted the past two albums, and I have a lot of confidence in this album. I feel that there are many strong tracks that will be alluring to different audiences, and with the melding of unorthodox elements within these songs I feel that I am bringing something quite unique to the table. Promoting will include performing in some open mics and a video. I may do some YouTube tactics as well, but I don’t want to use the same tactics everyone else is using.
Hopefully, I can bring in some iTunes sales. Although the numbers haven’t been anywhere near stellar, the fact that I have been regularly selling a song here and there means that there are people who are interested. This album, I believe, has the power to bring some more people in at a much better rate.
Here are the projects that are currently in progress:
1. Project Inhalor [adm/mnshyn]
2. Wind Beneath My Wings [dstnysprn]
I will most definitely be working on a Phase 4 once Phase 3 has gone to iTunes. What will Phase 4 be? It will definitely build on the ideas of Phase 3, but I want to bring in some other elements as well that I have not used. Different time signatures (5/4 and 6/8 being possibilities at the moment), different keys and chord structures (particularly more use of diminished chords and other 4 note chords aside from dominant 7th), and new sampling techniques. I want my music to still have the feel of a hip-hop rooted foundation, so it still won’t strive too far from that. Some people strive to get the old sound back (those still wanting that 94 boom bap), while others are trying a new sound that do not sit well with the traditional heads (snap/crunk/hyphy/signature dance). I’m trying to forge a new direction that would seem logical and fitting to everyone yet still sound fresh and innovative.
I still would like to do an MsP compilation album to really show what we’re about. MsP’s got such a lovely array of talent, and people need to see (or in this case hear) what we can do.
With that being said, I would like to help all the members create at least 1 or 2 songs this year at the minimum. It would be interesting to note whether or not that goal will be achieved by December 31, 2010.
There’s also Flight, who we will finally get to see again after 3 years! I don’t know if he will be interested in making music again, but you know I will have to ask.
MsP will have an informal meeting on February 6, 2010 over Chicken and Rice, so maybe we can trade notes there.
Interesting times! Let’s see what this year has in store for us.
-mnshyn
Tags: adm, bomb squad, destiny soprano, electronic music, hip-hop, intro iii, lyrical without fear, moon shizzle productions, moon shyne, my thoughts exactly iii, outro iii, phase 3, phase 4, project inhalor, rap, thank you iii, wind beneath my wings
Posted in adm, brnblln, Chamber Waves, dmplz, dstnysprn, flght, frc1, hrmnyspks, kmclt, kmpngl, lss, mnshyn, Music Commentary, Phase 3 - L.Y.R.I.C.A.L. Without Fear | 2 Comments »